Aim: To evaluate the effects of Cordyceps militaris extract (CME) on angiogenesis and tumor growth.
Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), HT1080, and B16-F10 cells were used. DNA fragment, angiogenic related gene expressions (MMPs, bFGF, VEGF, etc), capillary tube formation, wound healing in vitro, tumor growth in vivo were measured.
Results: CME inhibited growth of HUVECs and HT1080 (P<0.01). CME 100 and 200 mg/L reduced MMP-2 gene expression in HT1080 cells by 6.0 % and 22.9 % after 3-h and 14.9 % and 32.8 % after 6-h treatment. CME did not affect MMP-9 gene expression in B16-F10 melanoma cells. CME 100 and 200 mg/L also reduced bFGF gene expression in HUVECs by 22.2 % and 41.3 %. CME inhibited tube formation of endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo. CME repressed the growth of B16-F10 melanoma cells in mice compared with control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: CME has antiangiogenetic properties.