title: Anti-angiogenic effect of ALS-L1023, an extract of Melissa officinalis L., on experimental choroidal neovascularization in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of ALS-L1023, an extract of Melissa officinalis L. (Labiatae; lemon balm) leaves, on experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in mice was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  C57BL/6 mice were given either vehicle or ALS-L1023 daily via oral gavage for 3 weeks (days 0-21). CNV was induced by rupturing Bruch's membrane using laser photocoagulation (day 7). Two weeks after laser injury (day 21), the CNV lesions were evaluated by an examination of choroidal flat mounts using fluorescein-labelled dextran, immunofluorescence staining with isolectin B4 and fluorescence angiography. The effects of ALS-L1023 on endothelial cell tube formation and the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 were evaluated using human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extent of CNV was reduced by ALS-L1023. Mice treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of the material exhibited 44.3 and 68.1% reductions in the extent of CNV lesions, respectively, compared to the vehicle group (P < 0.001). The size of the isolectin B4-labelled area was also significantly decreased in the ALS-L1023-treated groups (P < 0.001). On fluorescein angiography, ALS-L1023-treated mice exhibited significantly less leakage of fluorescent material than did vehicle-treated mice. ALS-L1023 decreased vascular endothelial growth factor-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell tube formation in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 was suppressed by ALS-L1023.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The laser-induced CNV in mice can be inhibited by ALS-L1023. Therefore, it may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of diseases involving CNV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Jung
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Donghyun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jee
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.|Clinical Research Institute, College of Medicine , Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chang-Rae
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Rho
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.|Clinical Research Institute, College of Medicine , Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Won-Kyung
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.|Clinical Research Institute, College of Medicine , Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seungbum
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3632-108X
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kang
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; D008297:Male; D031334:Melissa / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C000608553:ALS-L1023; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C467480:vascular endothelial growth factor A, mouse; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
keywords: ALS-L1023; Melissa officinalis L; angiogenesis; choroidal neovascularization