Angiogenesis modulation: the "spice effect"

Spices have been used as flavoring agents since antiquity. Extensive research throughout the world has indicated that various phytochemicals present in spices play a critical role in the prevention and/or cure of several chronic diseases. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is regulated by a finely balanced equilibrium between pro- and anti-angiogenic factors. Any shift in this balance is linked to a wide range of human disorders. Experimental evidences suggest that anti- or pro-angiogenic strategies can contribute to the therapy of such disorders. The clinical benefits of the U.S. FDA-approved drugs that target angiogenesis are relatively modest due to their high toxicity and exorbitant cost. Therefore, there has been a renewed interest in identifying natural food sources for the development of novel and safer angiogenesis targeting agents. In this article, we discuss those dietary spices and their phytochemicals that have been experimentally found to target the angiogenic pathway.