Anti-angiogenic and antitumor activities of Huaier aqueous extract

Oncol Rep. 2012 Oct;28(4):1167-75. doi: 10.3892/or.2012.1961. Epub 2012 Aug 8.

Abstract

Traditional Chinese medicine, a rich source of potent cancer chemopreventive agents, is attracting increasing attention worldwide. Recently, the anticancer activity of Trametes robiniophila Μurr. (Huaier) has been widely investigated. However, the mechanisms are not yet fully understood. This study aimed to elucidate the inhibitory effect of Huaier extract on angiogenesis and tumor growth. Incubation with Huaier extract inhibited the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and mouse mammary tumor cells (4T1). In addition, treatment with Huaier extract decreased the motility and tube formation of HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. As determined by western blot analysis, Huaier extract dose-dependently decreased the levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), transcription factor p65, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In ex vivo experiments, new vessel growth was suppressed as shown by chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and rat aortic ring assays in the presence of Huaier extract. To further evaluate the inhibitory effect, 4T1 cells were injected subcutaneously into BALB/c mice. The administration of Huaier extract suppressed tumor volume, decreased microvessel density and induced apoptosis. These data suggest that Huaier extract may serve as a potent anti-angiogenic and antitumor agent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Chick Embryo
  • Chorioallantoic Membrane / blood supply
  • Chorioallantoic Membrane / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Female
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Trametes / chemistry
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Plant Extracts