Background: The invasion of cancer cells is critical for metastasis. The effects of Eclipta prostrata, a Thai medicinal plant, on invasion, migration and adhesion of cancer cells were investigated and the anti-angiogenic activity in vivo was evaluated.
Materials and methods: In vitro invasion and migration assays were performed in modified Boyden chambers. In vivo anti-angiogenic activity was determined using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay.
Results: E. prostrata juice inhibited cancer invasion and migration, without affecting cell adhesion. Cell migration was inhibited in a variety of cancer cell types and in endothelial cells, with IC50 values of 31-70 microg/ml, much lower than the IC50 values for cytotoxicity of 203-1,217 microg/ml for cancer cells and >4,000 microg/ml for endothelial cells. Fifty percent inhibition of angiogenesis by E. prostrata juice was observed at 200 microg/egg.
Conclusion: E. prostrata juice inhibited cancer and endothelial cell migration in vitro and also showed in vivo anti-angiogenic activity.