Protective effects of icariin on human vascular endothelial cells induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein via modulating caspase-3 and Bcl-2

Icariin belongs to the family of flavonoids that is extracted from Epimedium brevicornum Maxim, and exhibits antioxidative, antitumorigenic, antiosteoporotic, immunoregulatory and antiatherosclerotic properties. To understand the mechanisms underlying the antiatherosclerotic properties of icariin, the present study investigated the effects of icariin on human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) following treatment with oxidized low‑density...