Synergistic interactions between resveratrol and doxorubicin inhibit angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo

Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound which is found in many nutrients including grapes, peanuts, raspberries, and apples. Anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic and apoptotic effects of resveratrol have been shown on various cancer cells. Doxorubicin is considered as one of the most effective anticancer agents and reveals its antitumor activity by induction of apoptosis and inhibition of angiogenesis. Our study reports for the first time the potent ability of resveratrol in combination with doxorubicin to inhibit angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. The cytotoxic effect of resveratrol (1.56-100 μM), doxorubicin (0.01-0.92 µM) and their combination were analyzed in the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by ATP assay. In vitro angiogenesis was evaluated using tube formation assay in HUVECs. In vivo anti-angiogenic activity was assessed in a chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model using fertilized chicken eggs. All test groups were compared to thalidomide as a positive control, three concentrations of resveratrol (10-5-2.5 µg/pellet) and a 2 µg/pellet concentration of doxorubicin was examined. All data were evaluated statistically. Resveratrol and doxorubicin alone displayed inhibitory effects on angiogenesis and cell viability at higher doses. However, the combination of resveratrol and doxorubicin exhibited a significant dose-dependent inhibition of CAM angiogenesis in vivo as well as proliferation and tube formation in HUVECs compared to the positive control (±)-thalidomide. Our results suggest that resveratrol in combination with doxorubicin is a novel strategy in the prevention and treatment of angiogenesis.