Curcumin inhibits hypoxia-induced angiogenesis via down-regulation of HIF-1
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- Published online on: June 1, 2006 https://doi.org/10.3892/or.15.6.1557
- Pages: 1557-1562
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Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) has a central role in cellular responses to hypoxia, including the transcriptional activation of a number of genes involved in angiogenesis in tumors. We found that curcumin, a natural, biologically active compound isolated from the commonly used spice turmeric, significantly decreases hypoxia-induced HIF-1α protein levels in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Moreover, curcumin suppressed the transcriptional activity of HIF-1 under hypoxia, leading to a decrease in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major HIF-1 target angiogenic factor. Curcumin also blocked hypoxia-stimulated angiogenesis in vitro and down-regulated HIF-1α and VEGF expression in vascular endothelial cells. These findings suggest that curcumin may play pivotal roles in tumor suppression via the inhibition of HIF-1α-mediated angiogenesis.
