Holothurin B Isolated from Holothuria atra Inhibits Angiogenesis More Potent than Curcumin in Vitro

Abstract

Background and objectives: Triterpene glycosides as the most bioactive components of sea cucumbers, have been considered for their various pharmacological properties especially anticancer and antimetastasis activities. Due to the limited information on the biological properties of holothurin B as a marine triterpene glycoside, the present study aimed to examine its effect on angiogenesis and compare it with curcumin using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods: Holothurin B was isolated from Holothuria atra and identified by NMR and Mass spectroscopic data. Cell survival was estimated using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) technique and migration of cells was assessed by Transwell test. Angiogenesis was evaluated in vitro by tube formation assay. Results: Holothurin B reduced HUVECs survival with IC50 value of 8.16 mu g/mL. At the concentrations of 5 and 7.5 mu g/mL, it significantly decreased the number of migrated cells, the average length and size of tubules, and mean number of junctions; it was more potent than curcumin. Conclusion: Holothurin B could be considered as a potent antiangiogenic constituent through suppressing endothelial cell proliferation, migration and tubulogenesis in vitro, suggesting its potential for further animal and clinical investigations.