[Effects of brucea javanica oil on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in A549 cell line]

To study the effects of brucea javanica oil on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in A549 cell line.

A549 cells were incubated with different concentrations of brucea javanica oil (0.5, 1.25, 2.5, 5 g x L(-1) for 48 h respectively. VEGF level in supernatant was determined by VEGF ELISA kits and mRNA expression of VEGF was evaluated by RT-PCR. PMN in health volunteers was treated as control groups.

Supernatant VEGF protein and mRNA expression were significantly elevated in A549 cells compared with the mononuclear cells (120.73 vs 21.21, P < 0.05). Brucea javanica oil (2.5 g x L(-1)) could reduced supernatant VEGF protein in A549 cells (20.30 vs 120.73, P < 0.05), but had no effect on the expression of VEGF mRNA (1.0230 vs 0.9573). It was found that brucea javanica oil (5 g x L(-1)) significantly reduced VEGF mRNA expression (0.4682 vs 0.9573, P < 0.05).

Brucea javanica oil can depress the VEGF mRNA expression and secretion in A549 cells, which may be one of the mechanisms of its antitumor effect.