An evaluation of the anti-angiogenic effect of the Korean medicinal formula "Sa-mi-yeon-geon-tang" in vitro and in ovo

BMC Complement Altern Med. 2015 Mar 5:15:42. doi: 10.1186/s12906-015-0573-z.

Abstract

Background: Angiogenesis is a general hallmark of cancer; therefore, the inhibition of tumor-derived angiogenesis is considered to be an attractive target in the development of anti-cancer agents. Sa-mi-yeon-geon-tang (SMYGT), a decoction that consists of four natural medicinal products, has been traditionally prescribed in Oriental medicine to treat diverse diseases, including cancer. In the present study, we investigated the anti-angiogenic potential of SMYGT in vitro and in ovo.

Methods: The anti-angiogenic potential of SMYGT was evaluated using conventional in vitro assays with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays with fertilized eggs. The expression changes of pro-angiogenic proteins and intracellular signaling in HUVECs following SMYGT treatment were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, gelatinase zymography, and western blot analysis.

Results: SMYGT efficiently inhibited three-dimensional capillary-like tube formation by HUVECs on extracellular matrix supports, as well as new vessel formation on CAMs. SMYGT inhibited cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix and HUVEC cell invasion through Matrigel without affecting cell proliferation, viability, and motility. These anti-angiogenic effects of SMYGT in HUVECs were related to decreases in the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and the expression of matrix metallopeptidase-2 activity.

Conclusions: SMYGT exhibited an anti-angiogenic potential in both in vitro and in ovo experiments, which may partially contribute to its anti-tumor effect in clinical conditions. We suggest that SMYGT may be a promising source material for the development of anti-cancer chemotherapeutics that target angiogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Capillaries / drug effects
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Chick Embryo
  • Chorioallantoic Membrane / blood supply
  • Chorioallantoic Membrane / drug effects
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Laminaria
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic* / drug therapy
  • Ostrea
  • Phosphorylation
  • Prunella
  • Sargassum
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2