Anti-Angiogenic Activity of Ficus carica Latex Extract on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is a key process in cancer development and metastasis. In this study, the anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative potentials of Ficus carica latex extract have been investigated using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Different doses of latex extract were prepared and added to a three-dimensional culture of HUVEC in a collagen matrix. After 3-5 days of treatment, the anti-angiogenic effects of the extracts were monitored microscopically. For the anti-proliferation assay, different doses of the extracts were examined on HUVECs. The results clearly indicated that latex extract could inhibit proliferation and capillary tube formation of HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner at the range of 100-400 mu g/ml. In addition, the extract was not cytotoxic up to 450 mu g/ml as assessed by trypan blue and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assays. It is concluded that latex extracts of F. carica contain strong anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative activities. Our data indicates that latex extract could be a candidate as a potential agent for the prevention of angiogenesis in cancer and other chronic disorders.