• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.409-417
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• 2018

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy disorder that is characterised by severe hypertension and increased risks of foetal and maternal mortality. The aetiology of PE not completely understood; however, maternal nutrition and oxidative stress play important roles in the development of hypertension. The treatment options for PE are currently limited to anti-hypertensive drugs. Punicalagin, a polyphenol present in pomegranate juice, has a range of bioactive properties. The effects of supplementation with punicalagin on angiogenesis and oxidative stress in pregnant rats with induced hypertension were investigated. The pregnant rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups (n=12 per group). Hypertension was induced using an oral dose of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 50 mg/kg/day) on days 14-19 of pregnancy. Punicalagin (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg) was given orally on days 14-21 of pregnancy. Punicalagin treatment at the tested doses significantly reduced diastolic, systolic, and mean arterial blood pressure in L-NAME treated rats from day 14. Punicalagin also restored angiogenic balance by increasing the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and downregulating vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1/fms-like tyrosine kinase-1. Punicalagin, significantly increased the placental nitric oxide levels as compared to PE group. The increased levels of oxidative stress in rats with PE were markedly decreased by treatment with punicalagin. Punicalagin at the tested doses markedly (p<0.05) enhanced the placental antioxidant capacity in L-NAME-treated rats. The raised catalase activity observed following L-NAME induction was significantly (p<0.05) and restored to normal activity levels in punicalagin treatment. Further, 100 mg dose of punicalagin exhibited higher protective effects as compared to lower doses of 25 and 50 mg. This study shows that supplementation with punicalagin decreased blood pressure and oxidative stress and restored angiogenic balance in pregnant rats with induced PE.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.93-100
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• 2014

Background: Curcumin has has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation and anti-angiogenic activity in various types of cancer. It has also been shown to induce apoptosis in leukemia cells. We aimed to unravel the role of the redox pathway in Curcumin mediated apoptosis with a panel of human leukemic cells. Materials and Methods: In this study in vitro cytotoxicity of Curcumin was measured by MTT assay and apoptotic effects were assessed by annexin V/PI, DAPI staining, cell cycle analysis, measurement of caspase activity and PARP cleavage. Effects of Curcumin on intracellular redox balance were assessed using fluorescent probes like $H_2DCFDA$, JC1 and an ApoGSH Glutathione Detection Kit respectively. Results: Curcumin showed differential anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects on different human leukemic cell lines in contrast to minimal effects on normal cells. Curcumin induced apoptosis was associated with the generation of intracellular ROS, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular GSH depletion, caspase activation. Conclusions: As Curcumin induces programmed cell death specifically in leukemic cells it holds a great promise as a future therapeutic agent in the treatment of leukemia.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.113-131
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• 2006

Sphingolipids have emerged as molecules whose metabolism is regulated leading to generation of bioactive products including ceramide, sphingosine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate. The balance between cellular levels of these bioactive products is increasingly recognized to be critical to cell regulation; whereby, ceramide and sphingosine cause apoptosis and growth arrest phenotypes, and sphingosine-1-phosphate mediates proliferative and angiogenic responses. Sphingosine kinase is a key enzyme in modulating the levels of these lipids and is emerging as an important and regulated enzyme. This review is geared at mechanisms of regulation of sphingosine kinase and the coming to light of its role in disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.283-302
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• 2004

Background : Angiogenesis is the proliferation of a network of blood vessels emanating from pre-existing vessels, supplying nutrients and oxygen and removing waste products. Angiogenesis occurs in a variety of normal physiologic and pathologic conditions and is regulated by a balance of stimulatory and inhibitory angiogenic factors. Excessive angiogenesis should be suppressed. However, if blood supply is insufficient, it should be encouraged. Hyul-Mek(血脈) or Hyul-Rark(血絡), known as blood vessels in western medicine, is deeply related to Chung-Ki-Hyul(精 氣 血). The goal of this study is to review the effects of herbal medicines on angiogenesis that is involved in wound healing and enhancement of blood supply. Methods : We conducted a systematic and comprehensive literature search for the identification, retrieval, and bibliographic management of independent studies to locate information on the topic. A computerized search of the published literature of Korea(KISS, RISS), China(CNKI), Japan(Kampo medicine, etc), and western countries(MEDLINE) was performed, and further supplemented with manual searches of print sources(1999 to 2003). Results : The herbal medicines with angiogenic activity were mainly found among herbs that carry replenish Shin-Cheng(補腎益精), foster Eum and improve the circulation of blood(養陰活血), or warm and circulate Kyung-Rark(溫經通絡). In particular, herbs with improve the circulation of blood and clear blood(活血化瘀) activity contain a significant amount of tannin, saponin, and pyrazine. Conclusion : Replenish Ki-Hyul(補氣血) and circulate Kyung-Rark(通經絡) could contribute to the induction of angiogenesis because various growth factors and proliferation, differentiation, and migration of vascular endothelial cells are involved in angiogenic activity.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.73-78
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• 2018

Vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor (VEGF-VEGFR) system play a critical role in the regulation of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in vertebrates. Each of the VEGF has specific receptors, which it activates by binding to the extracellular domain of the receptors, and, thus, regulates the angiogenic balance in the early embryonic and adult stages. However, de-regulation of the VEGF-VEGFR implicates directly in various diseases, particularly cancer. Moreover, tumor growth needs a dedicated blood supply to provide oxygen and other essential nutrients. Tumor metastasis requires blood vessels to carry tumors to distant sites, where they can implant and begin the growth of secondary tumors. Thus, investigation of signaling systems related to the human disease, such as VEGF-VEGFR, will facilitate the development of treatments for such illnesses.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.1059-1063
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• 2017

Angiogenesis is an essential step in tumoral growth and metastasis and is regulated by a balance between stimulators and inhibitors. Recently, antiangiogenic target therapy has shown promise as a new type of chemotherapy. Natural products have attracted widespread attention worldwide as a useful source of novel therapeutic compounds. The balloon-flower has long been used as a traditional medicinal material and food in Asia. In this study, we investigated whether extract of balloon-flower would inhibit in vitro angiogenesis and vascular-like network formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The extract of Balloon-flower did not affect the viability of HUVECs. However, treatment with the Balloon-flower extract suppressed tube formation of HUVECs. In addition, after treatment with the Balloon-flower extract, cell migration decreased about 80%, and cell invasion was almost completely inhibited. Taken together, these results suggest that extract of Balloon-flower may have potential as an angiogenic inhibitor and that it could be developed as an anticancer agent.