The Methanol Extract of Angelica sinensis Induces Cell Apoptosis and Suppresses Tumor Growth in Human Malignant Brain Tumors

Abstract EN

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly vascularized and invasive neoplasm.

The methanol extract of Angelica sinensis (AS-M) is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat several diseases, such as gastric mucosal damage, hepatic injury, menopausal symptoms, and chronic glomerulonephritis.

AS-M also displays potency in suppressing the growth of malignant brain tumor cells.

The growth suppression of malignant brain tumor cells by AS-M results from cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

AS-M upregulates expression of cyclin kinase inhibitors, including p16, to decrease the phosphorylation of Rb proteins, resulting in arrest at the G0-G1 phase.

The expression of the p53 protein is increased by AS-M and correlates with activation of apoptosis-associated proteins.

Therefore, the apoptosis of cancer cells induced by AS-M may be triggered through the p53 pathway.

In in vivo studies, AS-M not only suppresses the growth of human malignant brain tumors but also significantly prolongs patient survival.

In addition, AS-M has potent anticancer effects involving cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and antiangiogenesis.

The in vitro and in vivo anticancer effects of AS-M indicate that this extract warrants further investigation and potential development as a new antibrain tumor agent, providing new hope for the chemotherapy of malignant brain cancer.