AIM: To investigate the role of quercetin (Que) in the proliferation of cultured human skin microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC). METHODS: Cell count and [methyl-3H]thymidine ([3H]TdR) uptake assay were used to measure the effect of Que in the proliferation of cultured MVEC. Cytotoxicity of Que on MVEC was also evaluated by 51Cr release assay. RESULTS: When MVEC were treated with Que, the proliferation was significantly inhibited in a time-course and dose-dependent manner. Que 5 μmol/L did not inhibit the proliferation of MVEC. When the concentration of Que increased to 20, 40, 80, and 160 μmol/L, the cell numbers per well were decreased and the inhibition rate was 12.2 %, 23.5 %, 35.3 %, and 54.1% respectively with IC50 of 138 μmol/L. The inhibitory rate of [3H]-TdR uptake was 18.7 %, 34.4 %, 48.9 %, and 62.5 % respectively (ICs0=87.5 μmol/L). 51Cr release assay showed that Que 160 μmol/L incubated with MVEC from 1 to 16 h had no clear cytotoxicity compared with control group. CONCLUSION: Que greatly inhibited the proliferation of cultured human MVEC in vitro. This effect may not be related to the cytotoxicity of Que on MVEC.
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