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Objective To investigate the effects of Danggui Buxue Tang (DGBX, angelica sinensis blood-tonifying decoction) on human endothelial cells in a steady flow shear stress (FSS). Methods Cells were incubated on a parallel plate flow chamber at a steady FSS of 0, 0.12, 1.2, and 2.4 Pa for 6 hours. Cells exposed to different FSS were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group perfused with M199 culture medium, simvastatin group (0.1 µmol/L simvastatin), and DGBX groups {3 g/L DGBX decoction: Chinese angelica (Danggui, Radix Angelica Sinensis, AS) and astragalus root (Huangqi, Radix Astragali, RA) at the dose ratios of 1:1, 1:3, and 1:5}. After 12 hours, the cellular proliferation, levels of nitric oxide (NO), expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) mRNAs and proteins were measured. Results In control group, eNOS and VEGFR2 levels in the endothelial cells exposed to FSS at 1.2 and 2.4 Pa were significantly higher than those of cells exposed to FSS at 0 and 0.12 Pa(P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, DGBX decoction up-regulated the cellular proliferation and expression of eNOS and VEGFR2, and NO levels at FSS of 0 and 0.12 Pa (P <0.05). And DGBX decoction (AS-RA at 1:3, 1:5) up-regulated the expressions of eNOS and VEGFR2, cellular proliferation and NO level at FSS of 1.2, 2.4 Pa (P <0.05). Conclusion FSS seems to play an important role in the effects of DGBX decoction on endothelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]