title: The angiogenic effects of Angelica sinensis extract on HUVEC in vitro and zebrafish in vivo.
abstract: Angiogenesis plays an important role in a wide range of physiological processes such as wound healing and fetal development. Many diseases are associated with imbalances in regulation of angiogenesis, in which it is either excessive or there is insufficient blood vessel formation. Angelica sinensis (AS), commonly used in the prescriptions of Chinese medicine, is a potential candidate for curing such diseases. However, biological effects of AS on angiogenesis and underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated. This investigation describes the angiogenic effects of AS extract on human endothelial cells (HUVEC) in vitro and zebrafish in vivo. The extract was demonstrated, by XTT assay and microscopic cell counting, to stimulate the proliferation of HUVEC; in addition, flow cytometry analysis indicated that the extract increased the percentage of HUVEC in the S phase. The wound healing migration assay illustrated that a dramatic increase in migration could be measured in AS extract-treated HUVEC. Meanwhile, the number of invaded cells and the mean tube length were significantly increased in AS extract treatment groups. The extract was also demonstrated to promote changes in subintestinal vessels (SIVs) in zebrafish, one feature of angiogenesis. In addition, AS extract was found by real-time PCR to enhance vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression. In a bead-based immunoassay, higher levels of p38 and JNK 1/2 expression were also observed in effusions compared with control cells. All results suggest that Angelica sinensis extract can promote angiogenesis, and that the angiogenic effects involve p38 and JNK 1/2 phosphorylation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Av. Padre Tomás Pereira S.J., Taipa, Macao, China.
authors.forename: Hio-Wa
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Hui-Chao
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Sin-Cheng
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lao
authors.forename: Jian-Li
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Si-Jia
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Chi-Weng
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Leong
authors.forename: Patrick Ying-Kit
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Yue
authors.forename: Yiu-Wa
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Kwan
authors.forename: Anskar Yu-Hung
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Yi-Tao
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Simon Ming-Yuen
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D029971:Angelica sinensis / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D010641:Phenotype; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D016196:S Phase / Q000187:drug effects; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D015027:Zebrafish; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases