Zhi-Heng He1, Ming-Fang He, Shuang-Cheng Ma, Paul Pui-Hay But. 1. Food and Drug Authentication Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, PR China.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Rhubarb root (Dahuang) is often included as an ingredient in traditional Chinese compound prescriptions for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. This application may possibly be mediated through anti-angiogensis and thus would shed light on its potential value in cancer therapy. AIM OF THE STUDY: To elucidate the anti-angiogenic properties of rhubarb root, we tested the inhibitory effects of different fractions and a series of anthraquinone derivatives against vessel formation in zebrafish embryos. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 95% ethanol extract and four subsequent fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions) of rhubarb root and five anthraquinone derivatives were investigated on zebrafish model by quantitative endogenous alkaline phosphatase assay and staining assay. RESULTS: Ethyl acetate fraction showed the strongest inhibition of vessel formation by 52%. Three anthraquinones (aloe-emodin, emodin and rhein) displayed potent anti-angiogenic activities. CONCLUSIONS: The angiogenic properties of rhubarb root may partly account for its use in inflammatory diseases. The anthraquinones with acidic or polar, hydrophilic substitution at C-6 or C-3 positions played a substantial role in inhibiting angiogenesis. The value of the zebrafish angiogenic model is further supported.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Rhubarb root (Dahuang) is often included as an ingredient in traditional Chinese compound prescriptions for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. This application may possibly be mediated through anti-angiogensis and thus would shed light on its potential value in cancer therapy. AIM OF THE STUDY: To elucidate the anti-angiogenic properties of rhubarb root, we tested the inhibitory effects of different fractions and a series of anthraquinone derivatives against vessel formation in zebrafish embryos. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 95% ethanol extract and four subsequent fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions) of rhubarb root and five anthraquinone derivatives were investigated on zebrafish model by quantitative endogenous alkaline phosphatase assay and staining assay. RESULTS:Ethyl acetate fraction showed the strongest inhibition of vessel formation by 52%. Three anthraquinones (aloe-emodin, emodin and rhein) displayed potent anti-angiogenic activities. CONCLUSIONS: The angiogenic properties of rhubarb root may partly account for its use in inflammatory diseases. The anthraquinones with acidic or polar, hydrophilic substitution at C-6 or C-3 positions played a substantial role in inhibiting angiogenesis. The value of the zebrafish angiogenic model is further supported.
Authors: Alexander D Crawford; Sandra Liekens; Appolinary R Kamuhabwa; Jan Maes; Sebastian Munck; Roger Busson; Jef Rozenski; Camila V Esguerra; Peter A M de Witte Journal: PLoS One Date: 2011-02-17 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Yun Sun Lee; Hyun Kyoung Ju; Yeon Jeong Kim; Tae-Gyu Lim; Md Romij Uddin; Yeon Bok Kim; Jin Hong Baek; Sung Won Kwon; Ki Won Lee; Hak Soo Seo; Sang Un Park; Tae-Jin Yang Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-12-16 Impact factor: 3.240