ScopeA key event in the development of plaque in the arteries is the migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from the media to the intima of the blood vessel. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of bisdemethoxycurcumin (BC), a naturally occurring structural analog of curcumin (CC), on platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐stimulated migration and proliferation of SMCs.Methods and resultsCC and BC were synthesized by condensing acetyl acetone with vanillin and 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde, respectively. SMCs isolated from adult rat aorta were stimulated with PDGF in the presence or absence of CC or BC following which, cell migration and proliferation were assessed by monolayer wound healing assay and [3H]‐thymidine incorporation respectively. PDGF‐stimulated phosphorylation of PDGF receptor‐β and its downstream effectors Akt and ERK were assessed by Western blotting. Intracellular reactive oxygen species was assessed using the fluorescent dye 5‐(6)‐chloromethyl‐2′,7′‐dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. BC elicited a concentration‐dependent inhibition of PDGF‐stimulated phosphorylation of PDGF receptor‐β, Akt and Erk as well as the PDGF‐stimulated SMC migration and proliferation. BC was more potent than CC in inhibiting migration and proliferation and suppressing PDGF‐signaling in SMCs. Both compounds were equipotent in inhibiting PDGF‐stimulated generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species.ConclusionBC may be of potential use in the prevention or treatment of vascular disease.