Abstract
As abnormal angiogenesis is associated with exacerbation of various diseases, precise control over angiogenesis is imperative. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the most well-known angiogenic factor, binds to VEGF receptor (VEGFR), activates various signaling pathways, and mediates angiogenesis. Therefore, blocking the VEGF-induced angiogenic response-related signaling pathways may alleviate various disease symptoms through inhibition of angiogenesis. Ulmus davidiana is a safe natural product that has been traditionally consumed, but its effects on endothelial cells (ECs) and the underlying mechanism of action are unclear. In the present study, we focused on the effect of a 60% edible ethanolic extract of U. davidiana (U60E) on angiogenesis. U60E inhibited the VEGF-mediated proliferation, tube formation, and migration ability of ECs. Mechanistically, U60E inhibited endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation and nitric oxide production by blocking the protein kinase B signaling pathway activated by VEGF and consequently inhibiting proliferation, tube formation, and migration of ECs. These results suggest that U60E could be a potential and safe therapeutic agent capable of suppressing proangiogenic diseases by inhibiting VEGF-induced angiogenesis.
Highlights
Angiogenesis is the process of forming new blood vessels from existing ones
We demonstrate that U60E prevented the proliferation, tube formation, and migration abilities of endothelial cells (ECs) by blocking the Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced as phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (Akt)/endothelial nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide (NO) pathway
U. davidiana was previously shown to reduce NO production in macrophages and microglia [29,30,31]; we investigated how U60E affects the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), which induces NO production in ECs
Summary
Angiogenesis is the process of forming new blood vessels from existing ones. As any dysregulation in angiogenesis is associated with various diseases, this process requires elaborate control [1,2,3]. Uncontrolled angiogenesis around the tumor and in the retina may worsen cancer and retinopathy, respectively. As tumor cells need blood vessels to receive nutrients and oxygen, angiogenesis is common around tumor cells and facilitates cancer growth and metastasis [3]. Abnormal angiogenesis is common in retinopathy such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), which may lead to blindness owing to the dysfunction of the retina [4,5]. Preventing abnormal angiogenesis under disease conditions such as cancer or retinopathy may offer potential therapeutic benefits
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
