Angiogenic Activity of β-Sitosterol in the Ischaemia/Reperfusion-Damaged Brain of Mongolian Gerbil

Abstract

Aloe vera continues to be used for wound healing as a folk medicine. We previously reported that A. vera gel has angiogenic activity. In this study, we report upon the isolation of an angiogenic component beta-sitosterol from A. vera and examination of its effect upon damaged blood vessels of the Mongolian gerbil. In a chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay, beta-sitosterol was found to have an angiogenic effect. It enhanced new vessel formation in gerbil brains damaged by ischaemia/reperfusion, especially in the cingulated cortex and septal regions, in a dose-dependent fashion (up to 500 microg/kg, p < 0.05, n = 34 - 40). beta-Sitosterol also enhanced the expressions of proteins related to angiogenesis, namely von Willebrand factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor Flk-1, and blood vessel matrix laminin (p < 0.05, n = 6). In addition, the intraperitoneal administration of beta-sitosterol at 500 microg/kg/day for a period of 19 days significantly improved the motion recovery of ischaemia/reperfusion-damaged gerbils as assessed by rota-rod testing (p < 0.001, n = 10). Our results suggest that beta-sitosterol has therapeutic angiogenic effects on damaged blood vessels.

EVALUATION OF CRUDE FLAXSEED (Linum usitatissimum L.) OIL IN BURN WOUND HEALING IN NEW ZEALAND RABBITS

“…This compound was shown to be angiogenic by stimulating neo-vascularization and promoting endothelial cells motility (Choi et al, 2002).…”

Angiogenic activity of latex from Euphorbia tirucalliLinnaeus 1753 (Plantae, Euphorbiaceae)

“…Medicinal plants and substances extracted from them have been used for thousands of years, fostering the prevention and treatment of disorders and dysfunctions in humans (Farnsworth et al, 1985;Ortêncio, 1997 (Juárez et al, 2000;Choi et al, 2002;Wang et al, 2004;Melo-Reis et al, 2010).…”

.BETA.-Sitosterol Induces Anti-proliferation and Apoptosis in Human Leukemic U937 Cells through Activation of Caspase-3 and Induction of Bax/Bcl-2 Ratio

“…[12][13][14] Previous studies have shown that b-sitosterol reduces carcinogen-induced cancer of the colon in rats, 15) and exhibits anti-inflammatory, 16,17) anti-angiogenic 18) and immune-modulating properties. 19,20) Several studies have indicated that b-sitosterol inhibits the growth of various cultured cancer cell lines that are associated with the activation of the sphingmyelin cycle, 21,22) cell cycle arrest 23,24) and the stimulation of apoptotic cell death.…”