The Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Physico-Chemical Properties of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) Derived Biodiesel

Global concerns about the environmental impact of combustion emissions from petroleum fuels influence new research to seek for alternative energy sources. The current study investigates the possibility of using safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) as an alternative biodiesel raw material. Four plant growth regulators (PGR) were used to boost the production of safflower. Thirteen treatments were constituted from the four plant regulators and applied to the safflower crop arranged in completely randomised design, repeated three times. The results show that the effect of plant growth regulators was not more than that of the control. More studies have to be channelled towards the relationship between safflower and plant growth regulators.

Flavonoids in safflower extract reduce cisplatin-induced damage to human follicle dermal papilla cells by inhibiting DNA damage and Rad17/Chk1/Cdc25C signaling

Background:Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent commonly used clinically for the treatment of various human cancers.Patients often reduce the use of cisplatin due to its side effects,which in turn affects its treatment.This study explored the mechanism of action of safflower extract as an adjuvant traditional Chinese medicine for chemotherapy.Methods:Primary human follicle dermal papilla cells(HFDPCs)were used as target cells for cisplatininduced damage to hair cells.Western blotting was used to investigate the molecular targets of cisplatin and safflower extract in causing HFDPCs damage.Cell survival and cell cycle were analyzed by mitochondrial staining reagent WST-1 and propidium iodide.Results:Cisplatin could reduce the viability of HFDPCs without causing cell death.Cisplatin increased the level of phospho-Rad17 in HFDPCs and activated the Chk1/Cdc25C signaling to reduce the expression of Cdc2 protein,thereby arresting the cells in the G2/M phase.The combination of safflower extract and the flavonoids could effectively inhibit the signal transduction of Rad17/Chk1/Cdc25 in cisplatin-treated cells and reduce the cell population in the G2/M phase.Finally,we also confirmed that safflower extract could effectively inhibit the damage to HFDPCs caused by cisplatin,mainly at the level of reducing the DNA damage caused by cisplatin.Conclusions:Safflower extract can be used as an adjuvant Chinese medicine for chemotherapy to reduce the damage caused by chemotherapy to normal hair follicle cells.

Protective effect of borneol combined with safflower on neurovascular unit in rats with ischemic stroke

Background:Compatibility is a characteristic of the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine,often leading to enhanced therapeutic effects.In the treatment of cerebral ischemia,blood-activating and open orifices herbs are frequently used individually;however,their combination is not commonly practiced.This study aims to investigate the impact of combining safflower and borneol as examples of open orifices herbs and blood-activating herbs on the neurovascular unit in rats with ischemic stroke.The objective is to determine whether this combination exhibits superior therapeutic efficacy compared to using borneol or safflower alone while exploring its underlying mechanism.These findings may provide novel insights for clinical treatments.Methods:SD male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups:sham operation group,model group,borneol group(0.1 g/kg),safflower group(5 g/kg),borneol combined with safflower group(0.1 g/kg+5 g/kg)and nimodipine group(0.01 g/kg).The middle cerebral artery cerebral ischemia(MCAO)model were prepared after continuous intragastric administration for 7 days in each group,the neurological function of each group were scored 24h after operation,and water content in brain tissue were measured by weighing method.The activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and the contents of nitric oxide(NO)and malondialdehyde(MDA)in brain tissue and serum were determined by spectrophotometry,and the mRNA expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP-2),tight junction protein 1(ZO-1),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)were detected by Real time PCR.Result:Compared with the model group,the group treated with borneol combined with safflower exhibited a significant decrease in the neural function score of MCAO rats(P<0.01).Additionally,it led to a reduction in brain tissue water content(P<0.01),elevated SOD activity,and reduced levels of NO and MDA in both serum and brain tissue(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Moreover,this treatment resulted in a decrease in the mRNA expression of MMP-2 and an increase in ZO-1 in brain tissue,along with an increase in the mRNA expression of VEGF and BDNF(P<0.01).Conclusion:Borneol combined with safflower demonstrates a protective effect on the neurovascular unit in rats with ischemic stroke.This effect is likely associated with increased SOD activity,reduced MDA and NO content in both serum and brain tissue of MCAO rats,and a decrease in MMP-2 mRNA expression in brain tissue,coupled with an increase in ZO-1,VEGF,and BDNF mRNA expression.These effects were superior to those observed with borneol or safflower administered alone.

Genetic Diversity in Main Cultivars of Safflower in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region Based on RAPD Analysis

[Objective] Study on the genetic diversity in main cultivars of safflower distributing in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region by means of RAPD makers.[Method] Genomic DNAs of 29 safflower accessions from Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region were extracted for PCR amplification using 20 RAPD primers.[Result] Totally 156 bands were amplified,among which 144 bands were polymorphic(accounting for 92.31%),indicating that safflower is endowed with plentiful genetic diversity.Based on the DNA fingerprint,the 29 safflower accessions were grouped into four populations,the classification results may be not related with ecological regionality.[Conclusion] RAPD technique is an available tool to analyze the genetic diversity of safflower germplasm at molecular level.

Determination of wholesome elements and heavy metals in safflower(Carthamus tinctorius L.)from Xinjiang and Henan by ICP-MS/ICP-AES

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry （ICP-MS） or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry （ICP-AES） was developed to determine 19 elements in safflower, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb from Xinjiang Autonomous Region and Henan Province of China. Totally 19 elements in safflower included heavy metals, i.e. As, Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb, and wholesome elements, i.e. Al, Ca, Co, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Se, Sr, V and Zn. The results showed that the concentrations of heavy metals in safflower samples were both low, all of which met the national hygiene standards except for Pb in Xinjiang sample. Meanwhile, the distribution tendency of elements in the two samples was similar, which indicated that the plant might absorb given elements in a proportional way. The method can be used for the quality control of elements in safflower, and it provides a way for the determination of the contents of safflower from Xinjiang and Henan.

Progress of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) regeneration through tissue culture

Background: Safflower regeneration through tissue culture has long been limited to low frequency and lack of an efficient protocol that suitable for most safflower cultivars. In past decades, researches had been carried out to investigate safflower regeneration through tissue culture and great progress had been made. Objective: To investigate factors that affect safflower regeneration through tissue culture principally. Methods: This article summarized available literatures about advancements in safflower regeneration, especially discussed factors affecting safflower tissue culture in detail. Results: Safflower regeneration was fairly hard than other congeneric plants, such as chrysanthemum. The genotype, seedling age, type of explants, medium components, plant growth regulators and other additives all had specific influences on safflower tissue culture. More deepgoing researches need to be undertaken to establish an effective safflower regeneration system.

A Clinical Study of Safflower Yellow Injection in Treating Coronary Heart Disease Angina Pectoris with Xin-Blood Stagnation Syndrome

Objective： To evaluate the clinical effect and safety of Safflower Yellow injection （SYI） in treating coronary heart disease angina pectoris （OHD-AP） with Xin-blood stagnation syndrome （XBSS）. Methods： Adopted was the multi-centered, randomized, positive parallel controlled method, 448 patients with CHD-AP-XBSS were enrolled and divided into two groups, 336 in the tested group treated with SYI and 112 in the control group treated with Salvia injection by intravenous dripping once a day for 14 days, so as to observe the conditions of angina, electrocardiogram, and therapeutic effect on traditinal Chinese medicine （TCM） symptoms as well as the safety of the treatment. Results： The significantly effective rate and total effective rate in the tested group were 60.06% （194/323） and 91.02 % （294/323） respectively; those in improvement of TOM symptoms were 40. 18% （129/321） and 75.23% （243/323） respectively, which were better than those in the control group （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： SYI Injection is effective and safe in treating OHD-AP-XBSS.

Rapid determination of volatile constituents in safflower from Xinjiang and Henan by ultrasonic-assisted solvent extraction and GC-MS

The total volatile components were extracted from safflower by ultrasonic-assisted solvent extraction （USE） and their chemical constituents were analyzed by gas chromatographymass spectrometry （GC-MS） to provide scientific basis for the quality control of safflower. Five different solvents （diethyl ether, ethanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and acetone） were used and compared in terms of number of volatile components extracted and the peak areas of these components in TIC. The results showed that USE could be used as an efficient and rapid method for extracting the volatile components from safflower. It also could be found that the number of components in the TIC of ethyl acetate extract was more than that in the TIC of other solvent ones. Meanwhile, the volatile components of safflower from Xinjiang Autonomous Region and Henan Province of China were different in chemical components and relative contents. It could be concluded that both the extraction solvents and geographical origin of safflower are responsible for these differences. The experimental results also indicated that USE/GC-MS is a simple, rapid and effective method to analyze the volatile oil components of safflower.

Rapid analysis of dyed safflowers by color objectification and pattern recognition methods

Objective:Rapid discrimination of three classes of safflowers,dyed safflower,adulterated safflower,and pure safflower using computer vision and image processing algorithms.Methods:A low cost computer vision system(CVS)was designed to measure the color of safflowers in the RGB(red,green,blue),L^*a^*b^*,and HSV(hue,saturation,vale)color spaces.The color moments in these three color spaces were extracted from the acquired images as color features of safflower.In addition,five kinds of pigments that are commonly used to dye safflowers were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography as a reference.Pattern recognition methods were investigated for rapid discrimination,including an unsupervised principal component analysis(PCA)algorithm and a supervised partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA)algorithm.Results:The mean error(e)between color values measured with the colorimeter and calculated with the CVS was 2.4%,with a high correlation coefficient(r)of 0.9905.This result indicated that the established CVS was reliable for color estimation of safflowers.The PLS-DA model,which had a total accuracy of 91.89%,outperformed the PCA model in classifying pure,adulterated,and dyed safflowers.Conclusion:The color objectification is a promising tool for rapid identification of dyed and adulterated safflowers.

Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius L.) a Potential Source of Drugs against Cryptococcal Infections, Malaria and Leishmaniasis

In this research we present that Carthamus Tinctorius L.(gen.Asteraceae,otherwise known as Safflower)(Fig.1)may contain agents active in Cryptococcal infections,malaria and Leishmaniasis,as treatment options are becoming scarce due to drug resistance development.Phytochemistry and pharmacological activities(antimicrobial,antimalarial,antileishmanial)of C.tinctorius L.were analyzed.The composition of volatile oil of safflower dried flowers was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry with flame ionization detector(GC-FID)and in vitro sensitivity assays were performed to assess biological activity.8 known and 3 unknown compounds were detected in the extract(Fig.1).Then the Safflower ointment was manufactured and its acute toxicity study on rats was tested.The volatile oil of C.tinctorius L exhibited activity against Cryptococcus neoformans,Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania donovani.Safflower volatile oil has anticryptococcal,antimalarial and antileishmanial effects.The prepared ointment had an excellent acute toxicity safety profile.

Research progresses and prospects of medicated oil dual-purpose crop safflower based on patent mining

Safflower is widely cultivated and used as a dual-purpose medicinal oil worldwide.This research used the incoPat patent database to search the global safflower patents for nearly 20 years,aiming to reveal the development process and current situation of the safflower industry in China and around the world by analyzing patent application trends,patent technology characteristics,advantageous industries and regions,patent quality,etc.The analysis shows that safflower patent applications are generally increasing,and the period 2010-2016 is characterized by the rapid development of patent applications.The technical features of global patents are mainly concentrated in pharmaceutical preparations,cosmetics,food and health care,various beverages,animal feed,safflower cultivation and harvesting equipment,and safflower seed oil.During the rapid development of patent applications,safflower was further developed in cosmetics,edible oil,and harvesting equipment.In addition,patent applications in rheumatism and bone diseases have increased,with the potential for development.China is the leading region for researching and developing medicinal safflower patents,especially Shandong and Henan provinces.Foreign patents are more focused on the value development of safflower seed oil in food and chemicals.Compared to the major countries and organizations that apply for safflower patents on a global scale,the quality of Chinese safflower patents is medium,and more awareness of patent protection is required.This paper provides suggestions for the subsequent development of the safflower industry,summarizes and analyzes the development trend of safflower patents,and provides new ideas to obtain innovative patent results.

Salt Stress Induced Modulations in Growth, Compatible Solutes and Antioxidant Enzymes Response in Two Cultivars of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L. Cultivar TSF1 and Cultivar SM) Differing in Salt Tolerance

Safflower is an important, traditional, multipurpose oil crop. This was to investigate the effect of different salinity levels on morphological, physiological, biochemical and antioxidant response of two safflower cultivars (Carthamus tinctorius L. cultivar TSF1 and cultivar SM) differing in salt tolerance. Salinity stress (0.0%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0% of NaCl) was induced to safflower plants after 19 days of vegetative growth. After 12 days of stress impositions, plants were harvested and analysed for various parameters. The results revealed that cultivar TSF1 showed maximum growth, dry weight, cell membrane stability and more water content in both root and leaf tissues at higher salinity levels than cultivar SM. Salt stress resulted an accumulation of more soluble sugars, amino acids, proline and glycine betaine at high salinity level confers the tolerance potential of cultivar TSF1 over cultivar SM. Salt stress induces more increase in the enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase and catalase in tolerant cultivar than sensitive one. The results indicate that each cultivar adopt specific strategy at distinct salinity level for resistance against salinity. The possible conclusion is that improved tolerance in cultivar TSF1 to salinity may be accomplished by better management of growth, physiological attributes and antioxidative defence mechanisms.

Reproductive Components of Safflower Genotypes Submitted of Bulk Density Levels in the Brazilian Cerrado

Nutrient absorption in crops can decline and their development can be hindered by increased bulk density. This study aimed at assessing the manner in which bulk density levels affect the reproductive structures of the safflower genotypes in the Brazilian Cerrado. The completely randomized design was adopted with four replications for the experiment, which was conducted in a greenhouse using Oxisol collected from 0.0 to 0.2 m depth from the region supporting Cerrado vegetation. The treatments included ten safflower genotypes (PI 237538, PI 248385, PI 250196, PI 301049, PI 305173, PI 305205, PI 306520, PI 306603, PI 560202 and PI 613366) and five bulk density levels (1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 Mg·m-3). Evaluations were done at 90 days after emergence, in terms of the number, diameter and dry mass of the heads. The data were submitted to the analysis of variance. The means were grouped using the Scott-Knott test at 5% probability. The diameter and dry mass of the chapters were influenced by the mean bulk density of 1.10 Mg·m-3. A notable interaction was evident between the safflower genotypes and bulk density levels for the diameter and dry mass of the head alone, revealing the high degree of genetic variability that environmental changes induce among the genotypes. The PI 250196, PI 301049, PI 305173 and PI 305205 genotypes exhibited greater stability to the bulk density variations compared with the others. Mean bulk density of 1.2 Mg·m-3 was found to impair the development of the reproductive components of the safflower genotypes.

Evaluation of Preemergence Herbicides for Crop Safety and Weed Control in Safflower

Weed management in safflower (Carthamus tinctorious L.) is a major challenge for growers due to very limited herbicide options available, particularly for broadleaf weed control. Field experiments were conducted at the Montana State University Southern Agricultural Research Center (MSU-SARC) near Huntley, MT in 2015 and 2016 to evaluate preemergence (PRE) soil-residual herbicides for crop safety and season-long broadleaf weed control in safflower. Among all herbicide programs tested, only sulfentrazone (105 g&middot;ai&middot;ha-1) alone or with pendimethalin (1064 g&middot;ai&middot;ha-1) caused 4% to 12% early-season visible injury to safflower, although the injury was not evident beyond 30 DAT. Sulfentrazone alone or with pendimethalin and pyroxasulfone (59 g&middot;ai&middot;ha-1) with pendimethalin had a season-long residual activity on kochia [Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad] and Russian-thistle (Salsola tragus L), with 89% to 99% control at 60 DAT, and up to 98% reduction in weed density compared with dimethenamid-P (213 g&middot;ai&middot;ha-1) and S-metolachlor (433 g&middot;ai&middot;ha-1) at 65 DAT. Pyroxasulfone (59 or 118 g&middot;ai&middot;ha-1) alone or dimethenamid-P with pendimethalin provided a moderate to good control (65% to 79% at 60 DAT) of kochia and Russian-thistle. However, the end-season control of kochia or Russian-thistle was inadequate ( S-metolachlor alone program. Safflower grain yield with sulfentrazone alone or with pendimethalin, pyroxasulfone alone or with pendimethalin, and dimethenamid-P with pendimethalin averaged 3559 kg&middot;ha-1, which was 195% higher compared with the nontreated check. In conclusion, sulfentrazone and pyroxasulfone or dimethenamid-P in combination with pendimethalin will be effective PRE herbicide programs for kochia and Russian-thistle control in safflower.

Integrated Nutrient Management of Safflower (<i>Carthamus tinctorius</i>L.) under Rainfed Conditions

Optimistic and sustainable supply of soil available nutrients to crop plants enhances productivity. Integrated nutrient management (INM) approach can improve soil fertility on long term basis. The present study was conducted to determine effects of INM on quantitative and qualitative characters of two Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cultivars “Thori-78 and Leed-00”. Five treatments using different composition of poultry litter, farm yard manure, nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers with recommended dose as a control measure were replicated thrice in randomized complete design. The results of field trial depicted maximum plant height (174.6 cm), number of heads plant-1 (42.67), number of seeds head-1 (59.0), thousand seed weight (42.26 g), biological yield (3089 Kg·ha-1) and seed yield (455.2 Kg·ha-1) recorded from combined application of FYM @ 2 t·ha-1and Half (N-P) (soil application) (T5) in Genotype “Leed-00” which was statistically different from all other treatments. Thori-78 also showed increase in yield and yield components under the same treatment (T5) i.e.2 t·ha-1 FYM and Half (N-P).No effect of INM was found on fatty acid composition of safflower cultivars. The correlation coefficients illustrated positive and significant association of seed yield with plant height (0.89), number of heads pod-1 (0.86) and number of seeds head-1 (0.83) as a result of application of selected treatment. These results demonstrated the significance of INM in safflower yield improvement under rainfed conditions.

Optimization of extraction technology of safflower polysaccharide based on central composite design-response surface methodology

Objective:To explore the best extraction technology of safflower polysaccharide by central composite design response surface methodology and evaluate its quality.Methods:Taking the extraction rate of Carthamus tinctorius polysaccharide as the index,taking the ratio of solid to liquid,extraction time,extraction temperature and extraction times as the investigation factors,based on the single factor experiment,the central composite design-response surface methodology was used to optimize the optimum extraction process of Carthamus tinctorius polysaccharide and verify it.Results:The response surface model was established with the extraction rate of Carthamus tinctorius polysaccharide as dependent variable Y,the ratio of solid to liquid,extraction time and extraction temperature as independent variables X,P<0.0001.The optimum extraction process was as follows:the ratio of solid to liquid was 1:16.69,the extraction temperature was 91.39℃,and the extraction working time was 89.78min.Under these conditions,the extraction rate of safflower polysaccharide can reach 7.45%,The experimental results show that RSD is 1.05%,and the model can well predict the experimental results.Conclusion:Central Composite Design-Response Surface Methodology has the advantages of high extraction rate,simple,effective and reasonable process operation,high stability and high precision,which can be fully applied to the resource management and utilization of safflower polysaccharide.

Safflower Evaluation under Contrasted Environment Conditions and Selection of Promising Genotypes

Development of stable crops cultivars adapted to environmental constraints is very important for food security. Safflower, an oilseed crop which tolerates environmental abiotic stresses, is suitable for marginal lands relatively dry and deprived from fertilizer inputs or irrigation. A set of Moroccan and introduced cultivars as well as international accessions were conducted at Oujda （Eastern of Morocco） during 2009-2010 for late and conventional sowing under two water regimes, in a field experiment using a completely randomized design, with three replications. The objective was to evaluate the effect of genotype and contrasting environment on safflower behavior and to select genotypes with large adaptation to the contrasted environmental conditions. Morphological, physiological and agronomic traits, as well as the stress susceptibility index （SSI）, were recorded in this study. Results showed significant effect of genotype, year （sowing time）, water regime and their interaction on most of the studied parameters. Late sowing and drought affected negatively all the parameters except seed oil which lightly increased under drought stress. Number of heads per plant （NHP） had the strongest association with seed yield under both drought and non-drought conditions, and hence could be taken as selection criterion for safflower seed yield improvement. Five accessions showed the highest overall mean seed yield （~ 1,000 kg/ha） and four accessions exhibited the highest overall mean seed oil content （〉 310 g/kg）. For late sowing, the accessions P1262421 and PI537604 produced the highest seed yield （〉 800 kg/ha） and the highest seed oil content （〉 290 g/kg）. For conventional sowing, the accessions PI250076 and PI250523 were the most performant, with a seed yield 〉 1,300 kg/ha and a seed oil content 〉 330 g/kg. Based on their mean productivity across environments, their SSI and their MDA, P1271073 and P1250076 could be selected and used as promising germplasm in safflower breeding program in Morocco as well as other dry areas throughout the world.

Determination of the Effects of Safflower Biodiesel and Its Blends with Diesel Fuel on Lubricating Oil in a Single Cylinder Diesel Engine

In the present study, safflower biodiesel （safflower oil methyl ester） was produced through transesterification. Biodiesel fuel obtained from safflower was blended with diesel fuel in ratios of 2% （B2） and 20% （B20）. Kinematic viscosity, density, water content, heating value, flash point, clouding point, pour point, ash content, copper strip corrosion and CFPP （cold filter plug point） tests were performed on B2, B20, B100 fuel blends and diesel fuel. A four stroke, single cylinder, water cooled diesel engine with a direct injection fuel system was operated with B2, B20, B100 and diesel fuels at partial load for 100 hours and samples were taken from the engine lubricating oil at certain hours. The wear elements iron, aluminum, lead, copper and chromium contents of the samples taken from the engine lubricating oil were examined.

Potential for Safflower Cultivation under Temperate Conditions

Safflower is a Mediterranean-subtropical oil crop, with temperate climate. To assess the suitability of safflower may have certain production potential in organic farming in regions cultivation under temperate climate in low input organic farming, ten cultivars were grown in two years experiment in Lindhoft-Kiel in Northern Germany in clay/sand soil. Pearson correlations reveal that oil yield exhibited tight positive correlations with plant height, plant dry matter, capitula plant-1, achenes capitulum-1 and thousand achene mass （TAM）, but was not correlated with days to full flowering or oil concentration. Yield component analysis reveals that achenes capitulum1 had the major influence on the variation of oil yield of all studied cultivars, followed by capitula plant1 and TAM, while the oil concentration had slightly negative influence, and the plant density was negatively associated with oil yield. Although two years field experiment is not enough to analyse the performance of safflower adaptability to certain region, it can be concluded that the most adaptive cultivars are PI-209286 originated from Romania, and cultivar CART-19/89 originated from Poland, while the less adaptive cultivars were DO-13/03 and DO-15/03 with German origin in addition to the Canadian cultivar PI-572475/Saffire. The most striking yield component that contributes to the high yield is achene capitulumt, which can be used as a base for selecting cultivars adaptive to humid cold conditions. The growth period between full flowering and harvest influencing this yield component must be given attention to avoid low temperature and rainfall by tuning sowing date to improve yield at these conditions.

Inductive effect of hydroxyl safflower yellow-A on apoptosis in abnormal HUVEC via the mitochondrial pathway

Objective:To investigate the mechanism by which hydroxyl safflower yellow A,an active component of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.),promotes apoptosis in abnormal human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).Methods:Supernatant of BGC-823 was used to stimulate HUVECs to establish a model of abnormal proliferation of HUVECs.After determining an ideal concentration of HSYA by MTT assay,apoptosis was detected with flow cytometry and TUNEL assay.Mechanism of apoptosis was assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction,Western blot,and ELISA.Results:A range of concentrations of HSYA inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of abnormal HUVECs.As the rate of apoptosis increased,mRNA expression of caspase-3 increased while expression of mutant p53 decreased.HSYA had no effect on Fas gene expression.Analogously,protein expression of Bax was increased while those of Bcl-2,Fas,and Fas-L were decreased.Conclusions:HSYA appears to induce apoptosis of HUVECs with the stimulation of the supematant of tumor cells.The mechanism of apoptosis by HSYA may involve activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and regulation of the expressions of Bcl-2,Bax,and p53.