The effects of artemether, shRNA-VCAM-1 and artemether combined with shRNA-VCAM-1 on the enzymatic activity of MMP-2/9.

<p>Enzymatic activity of MMP-2/9 under the treatments of artemether (300 µmol/L), shRNA-VCAM-1 and artemether combined with shRNA-VCAM-1 was investigated by fluorescently quenched gelatin assay. The activity of the MMPs was expressed as picomoles substrate/s. The activity of both MMPs was inhibited significantly by artemether and shRNA-VCAM-1 compared with the control group. Artemether+shRNA-VCAM-1 displayed even greater inhibitory effect on enzymatic activity over single artemether or shRNA-VCAM-1 treatments. *<i>P</i><0.05 (compared with control group); ^#<i>P</i><0.05 (compared with artemether or shRNA-VCAM-1 group). <i>n</i> = 4.