Abstract

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE:

Various chemically synthetic anti-angiogenesis agents have serious side effects. The traditional Chinese medicine has attracted considerable attention because of its low toxicity. This study was to explore the inhibitory effects of Scutellaria barbatae D. Don, a kind of traditional Chinese medicinal anti-cancer herb, on tumor angiogenesis, and investigate its mechanism.

METHODS:

Matrigel plug and human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used to construct in vivo and in vitro models of angiogenesis to assess the effect of Scutellaria barbatae D. Don on angiogenesis. After cultured with Scutellaria barbatae D. Don, the migration of endothelial cells was examined by Transwell chamber; the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in HeLa cells was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS:

Scutellaria barbatae D. Don significantly inhibited angiogenesis in Matrigel; the tube formation number was significantly lower in 20% and 40% medicated serum groups containing Scutellaria barbatae D. Don than in 20% and 40% drug-free serum groups (5.6+/-1.1 vs. 9.8+/-1.3, P=0.001; 1.0+/-0.7 vs. 13.4+/-1.1, P<0.001). Migrated endothelial cells was significantly fewer in 20% and 40% medicated serum groups containing Scutellaria barbatae D. Don than in 20% and 40% drug-free serum groups (19.75+/-2.63 vs. 24.25+/-2.06, P=0.038; 14.00+/-2.58 vs. 26.5+/-4.65, P=0.006). When treated for 24 h and 48 h, the expression of VEGF in HeLa cells was significantly lower in 40% medicated serum group containing Scutellaria barbatae D. Don than in 40% drug-free serum group (138.67+/-9.50 vs. 195.82+/-2.43, P=0.006; 93.84+/-41.11 vs. 193.68+/-18.37, P=0.036).

CONCLUSION:

Scutellaria barbatae D. Don could efficiently inhibit angiogenesis in tumor tissue which might relate with inhibition of endothelial cell migration and down-regulation of VEGF in tumor cells.