Biochemistry. Biokhimii︠a︡
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The formation of new capillaries from existing blood vessels is critical for tumor growth and metastasis. In this study we report that amentoflavone, a biflavonoid from Biophytum sensitivum, could inhibit the process of angiogenesis. Amentoflavone at nontoxic concentrations (0.05-0.2 microg/ml) showed significant inhibition in the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of endothelial cells, which are key events in the process of angiogenesis. ⋯ The antiangiogenic activity of amentoflavone was supported by its remarkable suppression in sprouting of microvessels from rat aorta. Our results also show that amentoflavone could inhibit the production of VEGF mRNA in B16-F10 cells. These findings indicate that amentoflavone inhibits angiogenesis by disrupting the integrity of endothelial cells and by altering the endogenous factors that are required for the process of neovascularization.