Effect of EGCG on inhibition mechanism of tumor growth

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the inhibitory effect of(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate(EGCG) on VEGF-induced angiogenesis and tumor growth.METHODS:VEGF-induced cell proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells was studied by MTT assay,cell migration by the gelatin modified Boyden chamber(Transwell) and angiogenesis in vitro by endothelial cell tube formation in Matrigel.Angiogenesis in vivo was determined by the Matrigel plug assay.Heterotopic tumors were established by the subcutaneously injection of SGC-7901 cells in nude mice.The tumor growth was measured by caliper in two dimensions,and tumor angiogenesis was determined with tumor microvessel density by immunohistology.RESULTS:EGCG inhibited VEGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner,and VEGF-induced endothelial cell migration and tube formation were also dose-dependently inhibited by EGCG,P0.05.In vivo neovascularization of Matrigel plug induced by VEGF was markedly inhibited by EGCG.The intraperitoneal injection of EGCG significantly inhibited the tumor growth in nude mice,and an average of 60.4% suppression of primary tumor growth was observed.The microvessel density in tumor tissues receiving EGCG treatment was also markedly reduced(P0.01).CONCLUSION:EGCG inhibits VEGF-induced angiogenesis,thereby inhibits tumor growth,and it is a promising candidate for anti-angiogenic treatment of tumor.