Tanshinone II--a inhibits angiogenesis through down regulation of COX-2 in human colorectal cancer

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2012;13(9):4453-8. doi: 10.7314/apjcp.2012.13.9.4453.

Abstract

Angiogenesis plays a significant role in colorectal cancer (CRC) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) appears to be involved with multiple aspects of CRC angiogenesis. Our aim was to investigate the inhibitory effects of Tan II-A (Tanshinone II-A, Tan II-A) on tumor growth in mice, as well as alteration of expression of COX-2 and VEGF in CRC. We established the mice xenograft model of C26 CRC cell line, and injected 0.5, 1, 2mg/kg of Tan II-A and 1mg/kg of 5-FU in respectively in vivo. Then, we assayed tumor weight and volume, and evaluated microvascular density and expression of VEGF. COX-2 promoter and COX-2 plasmids were transfected into HCT-116 cells, followed by detection of COX-2 promoter activity by chemiluminescence, and detection of COX-2 mRNA expression by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Taken together, the results showed Tan II-A could inhibit tumor growth and suppress the VEGF level in vivo. HCT-116 cell experiments showed marked inhibitory effects of Tan II-A on COX-2 and VEGF in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that Tan II-A can effectively inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis of human colorectal cancer via inhibiting the expression level of COX-2 and VEGF.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abietanes / pharmacology*
  • Abietanes / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / genetics
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism*
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • HCT116 Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / blood supply*
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / metabolism*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / drug effects
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects
  • Transfection
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics

Substances

  • Abietanes
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • tanshinone
  • Cyclooxygenase 2