In the United States and other Western countries, atherosclerosis is the leading cause of illness and death. The migration and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) may play key roles in the development of atherosclerosis. Curcumin, which is consumed daily by millions of people, is a polyphenol derived from the plant Curcuma longa. In general, curcumin has been associated with a large number of biological and cellular activities, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, and hypocholesterolemic properties. Carnosic acid (CA) is the primary phenolic compound in rosemary and salvia. Previous study indicated that CA possesses antioxidant activity in vitro. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of curcumin and CA on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced the migration in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) and MMP-9 activity. The migration assay showed that curcumin and CA effectively inhibited the TNF-α-induced migration of HASMCs as compared with the control group. Curcumin and CA lowered the secretion and protein expression of MMP-9 by gelatin zymography and western blot assays. They also decreased nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p50, p65, and ROS production. In conclusion, curcumin and CA inhibit TNF-α-induced nuclear translocation of p50 and p65, thereby suppressing the secretion and protein expression of MMP-9, resulting in decreased HASMCs migration. Thus, curcumin and CA have anti-inflammatory properties and may play important roles in the prevention of atherosclerosis.
