Effect of Biejiajian Pills on HUVEC Proliferation and VEGF Expression in HepG2

Objective: To investigate the effect of Biejiajian pills( BP) on human umbilical vascular endothelial cell( HUVEC) proliferation and vascular endothelial growth factor( VEGF) expression in HepG2 and to explore the mechanism of BP to suppress angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma( HCC,HepG2). Method:Twenty-four Wister rats were randomized equally into 3 groups for gavage of BP at 20-fold and 10-fold clinical doses and normal saline for 3 days. Blood samples were then collected from the rats,and the serum was separated and added in HepG2 cell cultures. HUVEC was cultured in conditioned medium( CM) supplemented with culture medium supernatant of HepG2 for 48 h. Then the proliferation of HUVEC was measured by MTT colorimetry. The effect of drug serum on HUVEC proliferation stimulated by CM was investigated by MTT colorimetry. After cultured in the medium containing drug serum for 48 h,the concentration of VEGF in HepG2 culture medium was assayed by ELISA and the expression of VEGF mRNA was investigated by qRT-PCR. Result: High and middle dose BP inhibited the proliferation of HUVEC in a concentration-and-time depending manner. High and middle dose BP decreased the secretion of VEGF as well as the expression of VEGF mRNA significantly,which is also correlated with the concentration of BP. Conclusion: BP can effectively inhibit the proliferation of HUVEC and lower the expression of VEGF. It may serve as a potential anti-angiogenesis agent in HCC.