Naringenin exerts anti-angiogenic effects in human endothelial cells: Involvement of ERRα/VEGF/KDR signaling pathway.

Naringenin (Nar), most abundant in oranges and tomatoes, are known for the hypocholesterolemic, anti-estrogenic, hypolipidemic, anti-hypertensive, and anti-inflammatory activities. Here, the present study was designed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anti-angiogenesis of Nar. Inhibition of angiogenesis was determined in vitro by using proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and tube-formation assays in Nar-treated human endothelial cell. Finally, CAM assays were used to assess inhibitory effect of Nar on physiological angiogenesis in vivo. The data suggest that Nar should be a direct ERRα inhibitor capable of inhibiting angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, including endothelial cell proliferation, survival, migration and capillary-like structures formation of HUVECs, as well as reduced neovascularization of the CAM. Furthermore, the effects exerted by Nar are cell cycle related and mediated by VEGF/KDR signaling pathway along with downregulation of certain proangiogenic inflammatory cytokines. Our data thus provide potential molecular mechanisms through which Nar manifests it as a promising anti-angiogenic and anti-cancer agent.