Anti-invasive and anti-angiogenic activities of Curcuma sp. extracts

Extracts of a herbal plant, Curcuma sp. (Zingiberaceae), were investigated for their anticancer activities. The rhizome of this plant is used in Thai folk medicine to treat cancers and to promote wound healing. In the present study, we performed preliminary bioassays to assess the anti-invasive and anti-angiogenic activities of the methanol (MeOH) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts. We found that both extracts produced moderate cytotoxic effects against murine hepatocellular carcinoma CBO140C12 cells. Interestingly, the EtOAc extract exhibited remarkable inhibitory effects on the invasion and migration of tumor cells in vitro, and on the adhesion of tumor cells to various extracellular matrix proteins. Moreover, the EtOAc extract also inhibited the formation of tube-like structures by hepatic sinusoidal endothelial (HSE) cells cultured on Matrigel-coated substrate, suggesting its anti-angiogenic activity. Altogether, our preliminary results indicate that the EtOAc extract contains active constituents that could potentially be developed into anticancer agents.