The Anti-Colon Cancer Effects of Essential Oil of Curcuma phaeocaulis Through Tumour Vessel Normalisation

Abstract

BackgroundNormalising tumour vessels had become a significant research focus in tumour treatment research in recent years. Curcumae rhizoma (CR) is an essential plant in traditional Chinese medicine as it promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis. Similarly, CR improves local blood circulation.PurposeWe explored the anti-colon cancer effects of essential oil from CR (OCR) by investigating its role in normalising tumour vessels. We also provided a basis for research and development into new anti-cancer drugs.MethodsWe used colon cancer as a research focus to investigate OCR. We established an in vitro co-culture model of colon cancer cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). We also established an in vivo subcutaneous implant colon cancer model in nude mice. These studies allowed us to evaluate the comprehensive effects of OCR in in vivo and in vitro colon cancer and its role in normalising tumour blood vessels.ResultsIn vitro, we found that OCR inhibited Human colon cancer cells (HCT116) and HUVEC cell proliferation and inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor-a (VEGFa) mRNA and protein expression in HUVECs in a co-culture system. Our in vivo studies showed that OCR inhibited colon cancer tumour growth, reduced angiogenesis in tumours and increased vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin and pericyte coverage in tumour vessels.ConclusionsOCR inhibited colon cancer growth both in in vivo and in vitro models, reduced angiogenesis in tumours, improved tumour vessel structures and normalised tumour vessels.

PI3K inhibitor promotes tumor vessel normalization and improves treatment outcomes of breast cancer with doxorubicin

“…Jain et al [11] reported that angiogenesis inhibitors could moderately inhibit angiogenesis, "normalize" tumor blood vessels and restore the structure and function of blood vessels. In addition, it can provide suitable treatment time and dose reference for other cytotoxic treatments [11,12].…”

A Status Review on Health-Promoting Properties and Global Regulation of Essential Oils

“…EOs from Croton flavens leaf were observed to be effective on human lung carcinoma and human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines, respectively [ 46 ]. Another study identified that an EO from Curcumae rhizoma (CR) inhibited the growth of colon cancer by improving tumor vessel structure, reducing angiogenesis in tumors, and normalizing tumor vessels in both in vitro and in vivo models [ 47 ]. Similarly, a recent study demonstrated that oregano EO-based nanoemulsion increased prostate cancer cell death through apoptosis and decreased lipid droplet accumulation via targeting HMGCR, FASN, and SREPB1 signals in vitro [ 48 ].…”

Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Pathological and Therapeutic Roles of Pericytes in Atherosclerosis

“…The molecular mechanism was defined in in vitro experiments, where culture of mice aortic-segments treated with atorvastatin demonstrated inhibited Ang2 release and higher expression of VE-Cadherin, accompanied by decreased VE-Cadherin (Y685) phosphorylation in ECs, which resulted in increased pericyte coverage [ 103 ]. VE-Cadherin is crucial for proper vascular development, its close association with pericyte coverage and angiogenesis was demonstrated also in tumours [ 104 ] and retinal vasculature development [ 105 ].…”