Effect of Hedyotis Diffusa Willd extract on tumor angiogenesis

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pharmacology
• Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

• Tumor angiogenesis is a key target in cancer therapy, but inhibitors face challenges like drug resistance and cytotoxicity.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulas offer multi-component, multi-target approaches with fewer side effects.
• Hedyotis Diffusa Willd (EEHDW) is a TCM herb used in cancer treatment, with prior research indicating apoptosis induction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the anti-angiogenic effects of the ethanol extract of Hedyotis Diffusa Willd (EEHDW).
• To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of EEHDW's anti-cancer activity related to angiogenesis.

Main Methods:

• In vivo anti-angiogenesis assay using the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model.
• In vitro studies on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) including cell cycle analysis (flow cytometry), viability assay (MTT), migration, and tube formation assays.
• Analysis of VEGF-A mRNA and protein expression in HT-29 colon cancer cells and HUVECs.

Main Results:

• EEHDW significantly inhibited angiogenesis in the CAM model.
• EEHDW demonstrated dose- and time-dependent inhibition of HUVEC proliferation by arresting the cell cycle at the G1 to S phase transition.
• EEHDW suppressed HUVEC migration and tube formation, and down-regulated VEGF-A expression in both cancer cells and HUVECs.

Conclusions:

• EEHDW possesses significant anti-angiogenic properties.
• Inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation, along with VEGF-A down-regulation, are key mechanisms for EEHDW's anti-cancer effects.
• EEHDW represents a promising multi-target agent for cancer therapy by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis.