Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, plays a critical role in normal and pathological phenotypes, including solid tumor growth and metastasis.
Accordingly, the development of new anti-angiogenic agents is considered an efficient strategy for the treatment of cancer and other human diseases linked with angiogenesis.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
We have identified Voacangine, isolated from Voacanga africana, as a novel anti-angiogenic agent. Voacangine inhibits the proliferation of HUVECs at an IC(50) of 18 μM with no cytotoxic effects. Voacangine significantly suppressed in vitro angiogenesis, such as VEGF-induced tube formation and chemoinvasion. Moreover, the compound inhibits in vivo angiogenesis in the chorioallantoic membrane at non-toxic doses. In addition, Voacangine decreased the expression levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1α and its target gene, VEGF, in a dose-dependent manner.
CONCLUSIONS:
Taken together, these results suggest that the naturally occurring compound, Voacangine, is a novel anti-angiogenic compound. |