Hypoxia, a hallmark of many solid tumors, is associated with angiogenesis and tumor progression. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) plays a significant role in tumor angiogenesis. In this study, we constructed a selective platform to screen the traditional Chinese medicine as anti-angiogenic agent. We examined the molecular mechanism by which Scutellaria barbata (S. barbata) regulates HIF-1-dependent expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is an important angiogenic factor. Hypoxia stimulated with the HIF-1 expression promotes angiogenesis by increasing VEGF expression and secretion. Herein, the expression of VEGF was decreased by treatment with S. barbata in tumor cells. Meanwhile, S. barbata reduced the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells under hypoxic condition. S. barbata inhibited the expression of HIF-1α, as well as phosphorylated their upstream signal mediators AKT. S. barbata significant retarded the tumor growth by 56% in vivo and immunohistochemical studies in the tumors revealed decreased intratumoral microvessel density. These results suggest that the traditional Chinese medicine therapy using S. barbata, which exerts anti-angiogenic activities, represents a promising strategy for the treatment of tumors.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3553. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3553

©2011 American Association for Cancer Research
2011