Paeonol inhibits apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells via up-regulation of autophagy by activating class III PI3K/Beclin-1 signaling pathway

摘要

Aims: The cross talk between autophagy and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a vital role in the development of atherosclerosis (AS). Paeonol is isolated from the radix of Cortex Moutan with anti-atherosclerotic and anti-apoptosis effects. However, the mechanisms of paeonol on VSMCs apoptosis are still not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to explore whether paeonol could inhibit VSMCs apoptosis though modulating VSMCs autophagy.