Antiangiogenic Effects of Ziyuglycoside II, a Major Active Compound of Sanguisorba officinalis L.

Ziyuglycoside II, a major bioactive compound of Sanguisorba officinalis L., displays anticancer potential against several human cancer cells. However, little information concerning its antiangiogenic properties and possible mechanisms is available. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of ziyuglycoside II on angiogenesis. Ziyuglycoside II inhibited the proliferation, migration, and tubule formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, as well as the number of microvessels growing from the aortic rings. The underlying antiangiogenic mechanism of ziyuglycoside II correlated with blocking vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 and the fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 mediated signaling pathway. Moreover, an in vivo Matrigel plug assay in mice showed a significant decrease in vascularization and hemoglobin content in the plugs from ziyuglycoside II-treated mice compared with control mice. Overall, these results suggest that ziyuglycoside II inhibits various attributes of angiogenesis, which might contribute to its reported antitumor effects.