Extracellular-Signal Regulated Kinase Signalling Pathway Mediates the Increased Proliferation of EPCs Treated with Garlic (Allium sativum) Extract, Purple Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) Extract and Vitamin C

The endothelial progenitor cell (EPCs) proliferation capability is reduced in the patient with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD). Garlic (Allium sativum), purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), and vitamin C are proven antioxidant which potentially improve EPCs proliferation ability. Objective: To investigate the effect of garlic (Allium sativum), purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), and vitamin C in EPCs proliferation from CAD patients and identify the involvement of Extracellular-Signal Regulated Kinase (ERK) Signalling Pathway. Material and Method: Mononuclear cells were isolated from SCAD patients and cultivated with colony-forming unit (CFU)-Hill medium and divided into untreated (control), garlic extract (10 mcg/ml and 100 mcg/ml), purple sweet potato extract (1 mcg/ml and 25 μg/ml), and vitamin C (10 μg/ml and 250 μg/ml). EPCs proliferation was measured using the MTT Assay. Results: This research shows that EPCs proliferation was increased in the treatment with garlic extract at 10 mcg/ml and 100 mcg/ml dose (0.267 ± 0,003 and 0.391 ± 0.008 ; p < 0.05), purple sweet potato extract at 1 mcg/ml and 25 μg/ml dose (0.250 ± 0.005 and 0.3562 ± 0.023 ; p < 0.001), and vitamin C at 10 μg/ml and 250 μg/ml dose (0.259 ± 0.016 and 0.306 ± 0.022 ; p < 0.001). Increased ERK expression was found in the treatment with garlic extract, purple sweet potato extract and vitamin C. Conclusion: Garlic extract, purple sweet potato extract, and vitamin C can increase EPC proliferation through the ERK signaling pathway.