Inhibitory Effect of 2′-O-Benzoylcinnamaldehyde on Vascular Endothelial Cell Proliferation and Migration

PURPOSE: To evaluate the inhibitory effect of the farnesyl transferase inhibitor 2'-O-benzoylcinnamaldehyde (CB 2'-ph) on proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells. METHODS: Bovine lens epithelial cells, bovine corneal endothelial cells, bovine keratocytes, bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with CB 2'-ph to determine its cell type specificity and antiproliferative effect. For inhibition of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF)- or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-induced proliferation of HUVECs, these cells were treated with various concentrations of CB 2'-ph. To assess the proliferation, MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) assay was used. The migration assay was also performed to determine the effect of CB 2'-ph on HUVECs. The distance of HUVEC outgrowth was measured from the scraped edge of a monolayer after treatment with CB 2'-ph concentrations of 0, 1.5 and 2.5 microg/ml for 24, 48 and 72 h. RESULTS: The CB 2'-ph had an inhibitory effect on all tested types of cell proliferation but only HUVEC and BAEC proliferation was specifically inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, CB 2'-ph inhibited VEGF- or bFGF-induced proliferation and migration of HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that CB 2'-ph, a farnesyl transferase inhibitor is thought to be an effective inhibitor of vascular endothelial cell proliferation and migration.