title: Studies on the anti-angiogenic effect of Marsdenia tenacissima extract in vitro and in vivo.
abstract: Marsdenia tenacissima, which is widely used as an anticancer herb in traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to possess anticancer activities. However, the underlying molecular mechanism(s) involved in the anticancer effect of this herb are poorly understood. Angiogenesis is important in the development of cancer. The main features of angiogenesis are increased vasculature and overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In the present study, the effects of M. tenacissima extract (MTE) on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation, migration and capillary-like tube formation were investigated in vitro and using the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay in vivo. It was observed that MTE inhibited the proliferation of HUVECs by blocking the cell cycle progression from G1 to S. In addition, MTE inhibited the migration and tube formation of HUVECs. MTE treatment decreased the VEGF-A expression in human hepatoma cells (HepG2), as well as the expression of VEGF-A and VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-2 in HUVECs. MTE exposure in the CAM was able to reduce the formation of blood vessels in chick embryos. Overall, the present data suggest that extracts of M. tenacissima may serve as potential anti-angiogenesis agents.
authors: Department of Integrative Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Fujian Provincial Tumor Hospital, Fuzhou 350014;
authors: Zhengrong
authors: Z
authors: Huang
authors: Hao
authors: H
authors: Lin
authors: Yong
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: Zhiyun
authors: Z
authors: Cao
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Lin
authors: Qiang
authors: Q
authors: Chen
keywords: Marsdenia tenacissima; angiogenesis; cancer treatment; herbal medicine