Potato Alkaloids α-Solanine and α-Chaconine Promote bFGF and VEGF Expression in Vein and Adjacent Tissues in the Rabbit Model of Phlebitis

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the therapeutic effect of mashed potato and its alkaloids α-solanine and α-chaconine on basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in ear venous vessels and adjacent tissues in a rabbit model of phlebitis. Materials and Methods: Japanese white rabbits were randomly allocated into control, vaseline cream (model), magnesium sulfate, mashed potato, α-solanine cream 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg, and α-chaconine cream 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg groups. The phlebitis model was established by intravenous infusion of vincristine in the rabbit ears. Group A received physiological saline. Group B−F was applied treatment 3 times/day, for 2 days along the ears vein. The alkaloid contents in α-solanine and α-chaconine were analyzed with HPLC. The bFGF, protein kinase C alpha (PKC-α), and VEGF expression in the ear vessels and nearby tissues were analyzed using immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Western blot analysis, respectively. Results: After phlebitis modeling, the vascular endothelium of the rabbit ear vein was damaged or layered, the lumen was swollen and deformed to an oval or round shape, and the proportion of bFGF and VEGF positive areas in the vascular endothelium and adjacent tissues was higher than the control group. The phlebitis score shows that various treatments have certain effects, among which magnesium sulfate wet gauze and mashed potatoes are more effective. The application of α-solanine and α-chaconine cream promotes the expression of bFGF and VEGF, as well as PKC-α in the venous blood vessels and adjacent tissues, but mashed potatoes had little effect. Conclusion: α-solanine and α-chaconine cream can promote the expression of bFGF and VEGF in venous blood vessels and adjacent tissues, which may contribute to the recovery of blood vessels in phlebitis.