The angiogenic effects of Angelica sinensis extract on HUVEC in vitro and zebrafish in vivo

Abstract

Angiogenesis plays an important role in a wide range of physiological processes such as wound healing and fetal development. Many diseases are associated with imbalances in regulation of angiogenesis, in which it is either excessive or there is insufficient blood vessel formation. Angelica sinensis (AS), commonly used in the prescriptions of Chinese medicine, is a potential candidate for curing such diseases. However, biological effects of AS on angiogenesis and underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated. This investigation describes the angiogenic effects of AS extract on human endothelial cells (HUVEC) in vitro and zebrafish in vivo. The extract was demonstrated, by XTT assay and microscopic cell counting, to stimulate the proliferation of HUVEC; in addition, flow cytometry analysis indicated that the extract increased the percentage of HUVEC in the S phase. The wound healing migration assay illustrated that a dramatic increase in migration could be measured in AS extract-treated HUVEC. Meanwhile, the number of invaded cells and the mean tube length were significantly increased in AS extract treatment groups. The extract was also demonstrated to promote changes in subintestinal vessels (SIVs) in zebrafish, one feature of angiogenesis. In addition, AS extract was found by real-time PCR to enhance vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression. In a bead-based immunoassay, higher levels of p38 and JNK 1/2 expression were also observed in effusions compared with control cells. All results suggest that Angelica sinensis extract can promote angiogenesis, and that the angiogenic effects involve p38 and JNK 1/2 phosphorylation.

Pro-angiogenic activity of astragaloside IV in HUVECs in vitro and zebrafish in vivo

“…4D). However, contrary to our previous reports that pro-angiogenic chemicals stimulate vessel spike formation in SIVs of healthy zebrafish (16,17), AS-IV did not produce the pro-angiogenic effect under the same conditions (Fig. 4E).…”

Whole extracts of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae and Radix Cyathulae promote angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro and in zebrafish in vivo

“…There are several regulatory sites by exogenous compounds for stimulating angiogenesis. For example, TCM can activate multiple pathways for promoting angiogenesis (15)(16)(17)(18). However, in the present study, the whole extracts of RAB and RC promoted angiogenesis mainly via stimulating migration of ECs in HUVECs in vitro, but not through cell proliferation or tube formation.…”

Oral treatment with herbal formula B401 alleviates penile toxicity in aging mice with manganism

“…27,28 The extract from A. sinensis has been reported to have angiogenic effects in zebrafish through enhancement of VEGF mRNA expression. 29 The extract from R. glutinosa has long been used in age-related diseases and its therapeutic efficacy by attenuating oxidative damage in the brain of mice has been previously reported. 30 The extract from L. fructus has been used to protect against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage.…”