Effects of a Chinese Herbal Health Formula, “Gan-Lu-Yin”, on Angiogenesis

Abstract

According to the known effects of each ingredient, Gan-Lu-Yin (GLY), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, has the potential to be an antiangiogenic agent. The purpose of this study was to explore the putative effect of GLY on antiangiogenesis. An ethanol extract of GLY was tested on chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) to evaluate the effects of GLY extract on cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation. The results showed that treatment with 1.0 mg/mL of GLY extract could markedly reduce cell migration and in vitro tube formation of HUVEC, and 1.5 mg/mL of GLY extract was sufficient to inhibit proliferation of HUVEC. The expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of HUVEC was significantly decreased by 1.5 and 2.0 mg/mL of GLY extract. In chicken CAM assay, all tested concentrations of GLY extract were found to reduce the capillary mesh on the CAM of fertilized eggs. The inhibitory effects of GLY extract (1 mg/mL) were also found on tumor cell-induced HUVEC proliferation and tube formation. These observations suggested that GLY extract has an inhibitory effect on angiogenesis, which in turn may prevent tumor growth, and its mechanism might be partially associated with blocking VEGF protein expression of HUVEC.

A Chinese herbal formula "Gan-Lu-Yin" suppresses vascular smooth muscle cell migration by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 through the PI3K/AKT and ERK signaling pathways

“…In our previous study, the indicator components of GLY extract such as baicalein, chlorogenic acid, and glycyrrhizic acid have been detected by HPLC/ESI-MS analysis [6]. Four other components such as baicalin, naringin, naringenin, and vanillin have also been detected from our study (data not shown).…”

“…Also, GLY extracts are effective in scavenging α,α-diphenyl-β-pricrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals (data not shown). We found GLY extract could induce apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner [6]. GLY having antioxidation and free radical scavenging activities may be developed as another potential candidate to prevent restenosis.…”

“…Numerous studies mentioned that some of the single ingredients within the GLY formula have biological effects on antitumor potential by inhibiting cell proliferation or inflammation [3-5]. Our recent observations suggested that GLY extract has an inhibitory effect on angiogenesis, which in turn may prevent tumor growth, and its mechanism might be partially associated with blocking vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression of HUVEC [6]. However, the investigation regarding the attenuation of balloon injury-induced neointima formation has never been explored.…”

Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy and the Risk of Vascular Complications in Patients With Type II Diabetes Mellitus

“…36 Bai-Hu-Jia-Ren-Shen-Tang (same as Byakko-ka-ninjin-to in Kampo medicine) has hypoglycemic effect and acts as a facilitatory agent on salivary secretion to reduce xerostomia in T2DM patients. 37–39 Evidence of Gan-Lu-Yin focused on antitumor effect, including inhibiting angiogenesis 40 and suppressing vascular smooth muscle cell migration. 41 Xue-Fu-Zhu-Yu-Tang , traditionally used to promote the circulation of blood to remove blood stasis and activate the flow of Qi to relieve pain, demonstrated potency to antiplatelet aggregation, 42 decrease in the serum total triglyceride concentration, and suppression of proinflammatory cytokines in high cholesterol-fed rats.…”

Gan-Lu-Yin Inhibits Proliferation and Migration of Murine WEHI-3 Leukemia Cells and Tumor Growth in BALB/C Allograft Tumor Model

“…This formula has been widely used to expel heat, to remove the dampness, to resolve inflammation, and to clean the blood according to the traditional Chinese medicinal prescriptions, Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang. Recently, we discovered that GLY has antiangiogenesis effect [9], and several other studies also showed that some single ingredient within GLY formula has biological effect on cell differentiation [10, 11]. To date, the effects of GLY on AML treatment are still unclear.…”