Objective: To observe the effect of catalpol on oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL) induced inflammatory cytokine in EA.hy926 cells and to explore its possible mechanism from the prospective of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) activation. Method: Humane endothelial cell line EA.hy926 was cultured and randomly divided into blank group

catalpol group(0.5 mmol·L-1)

ox-LDL group(100 mg·L-1)

catalpol high-dose group(0.5 mmol·L-1)

and low-dose group(0.05 mmol·L-1). The mRNA and protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) and vascuolar cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1) in EA.hy926 cells were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. Viability and apoptosis ratio of EA.hy926 cells were detected by MTT and Hoechst staining respectively. NF-κB activation was detected by Western blot and ELISA. Result: As compared with the blank group

EA.hy926 cells were injured very slightly in catalpol protection group

and the mRNA and protein expression levels of TNF-α and VCAM-1 were significantly reduced and NF-κB activation was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05). Therefore

catalpol can effectively reduce ox-LDL-induced inflammatory response in EA.hy926 cells

which may be related to inhibition of NF-κB activation.