Antiangiogenic phytochemicals and medicinal herbs

Abstract

Medicinal herbs and their phytochemicals are potential novel leads for developing antiangiogenic drugs. This review aims to assess the current status of research with medicinal herbs and their phytochemicals for the development of antiangiogenic agents for cancer and other angiogenesis-related diseases including inflammation, diabetic retinopathy, endometriosis and obesity. Most studies reviewed have focused on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) signaling for endothelial response processes and have led to the identification of many potential antiangiogenic agents. Since human clinical trials with antiangiogenic modalities targeting VEGF/VEGFR-2 signaling have shown limited efficacy and occasional toxic side effects, screening strategies for herbal phytochemicals based on other signaling pathways important for cancer-endothelial and stromal crosstalks should be emphasized in the future.

Plants vs. Cancer: A Review on Natural Phytochemicals in Preventing and Treating Cancers and Their Druggability

“…In recent years, some of these reviews touched the general overview for the bioactive aspect for phytochemical compounds [3-12], or specific compounds such as Vitamin E from plant oil [13-15], boron-rich natural compound [16], hydroxytyrosol from virgin olive oil [17], resveratrol from grapes [18], phytoestrogens most notably from soybean [19, 20], or EGCG from green tea polyphenols [21], while the others are more specific for certain cancers, e.g., colorectal cancer [22, 23], breast cancer [14, 24], head and neck cancer [25], pancreatic cancer [26], prostate cancer [27], or protein targets and pathway mechanisms, such as Nrf2 [28], COX-2 [29], PLK1 [30], angiogenesis [31]. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive summary for the current status of the research and challenges in this area [32].…”

Angiogenesis as a Therapeutic Target in Endometriosis

“…74,79 The principal constituent of green tea, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, has been evidenced to block the VEGF-A expression of cultured hamster endometrial cells, inhibit angiogenesis in vivo and induce regression of endometriosis. [80][81][82] Similar effects on the endometriotic lesions and their vessels have been observed in the experiments testing curcumin, a pharmacological active component of Curcuma longa.…”

Hypercholesterolemia-induced ocular disorder: Ameliorating role of phytotherapy

“…It is formed as a result of vascular endothelial growth factor/ vascular endothelial growth receptor signaling for endothelial response as well as increase of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Many diseases such as inflammatory diseases, diabetic retinopathy and obesity are related with the development of neovascularization [130].…”

“…Corneal neovascularization is characterized by the invasion of new blood vessels, impairing corneal transparency and visual acuity as a result of increase vascular endothelial growth factor / vascular endothelial growth receptor signaling for endothelial response [130]. Free radical scavenging activity of the antioxidants protects the retinal blood vessel endothelial cells and pericytes from apoptosis induced by hyperglycaemia [10,159].…”