Chrysin Inhibits Lymphangiogenesis in Vitro

Biol Pharm Bull. 2016;39(4):466-72. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b15-00543.

Abstract

The induction of lymphangiogenesis is an important process to promote cancer growth and cancer metastasis via the lymphatic system. Identifying the compounds that can prevent lymphangiogenesis for cancer therapy is urgently required. Chrysin, 5,7-dihydroxyflavone, a natural flavone extracted from Thai propolis, was used to investigate the effect on the lymphangiogenesis process of TR-LE, rat lymphatic endothelial cells. In this study, maximal nontoxic doses of chrysin on TR-LE cells were selected by performing a proliferation assay. The process of lymphangiogenesis in vitro was determined by cord formation assay, adhesion assay and migration assay. Chrysin at a nontoxic dose (25 μM) significantly inhibited cord formation, cell adhesion and migration of TR-LE cells when compared with the control group. We also found that chrysin significantly induced vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) mRNA expression and nitric oxide (NO) production in TR-LE cells which was involved in decreasing the cord formation of TR-LE cells. In conclusion, we report for the first time that chrysin inhibited the process of lymphangiogenesis in an in vitro model. This finding may prove to be a natural compound for anti-lymphangiogenesis that could be developed for use in cancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bees
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Lymphangiogenesis / drug effects*
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Propolis
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / genetics

Substances

  • Flavonoids
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C
  • Nitric Oxide
  • chrysin
  • Propolis