| Atherosclerosis belongs to inflammation-related vascular diseases due to bacterial infection and causes lipid accumulation in artery wall that lead to heart attack and stroke. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 are grouped to zinc-dependent proteases that act in degradation of extracellular matrix in atherosclerotic plaque. Instead of traditional foods, the rhizomes of Zingiberaceae have been empirically used in folk medicines purposes, including natural vascular protection. This study was aimed to test the inhibitory effect of 10 Zingiberaceae rhizomes on the expression of MMP-2 activity in lipopolysaccharide-induced artery endothelial cells by conducting gelatin zymogram. At 1 µg/ml, selected Zingiberaceae rhizomes, i.e. Kaempferia pandurata, Curcuma xanthorrhiza, Alpinia galanga, Zingiberaceae officinale, and Z. officinale Var Rubra, were found to attenuate MMP-2 activity up to 50% compared with LPS-treated cells. In summary, these data suggest that selected Zingiberaceae rhizomes may be applied for potential therapeutics in vascular protection and therapy, in particular atherotherapy. |