Tongnao Decoction (TND) Alleviated Atherosclerosis by Playing Lowering Lipid, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antioxidant Roles

Figure 2

TND restored the apoptosis of endothelial cells and inhibited the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells within atherosclerotic artery. Endothelial cell proliferation after partial ligation of the carotid artery was assessed by immunofluorescence staining for CD31 (a), and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation was assessed by immunofluorescence staining for α-SMA (b). The nuclei were stained blue with 4-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). CD31 (stained in red) was used as an endothelial marker, and α-SMA (stained in red) was used as a smooth muscle marker. Scale bar indicates 100 μm. vs. sham; ^## and ^# vs. AS.

(a)

(b)