ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the inhibition effect of agaro-oligosaccharide (AOS) on neovascularization and its mechamism. Method: The anti-angiogenic effect in vivo was evaluated on chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. Cytotoxic activity of AOS was demonstrated by inhibition of several human cell lines by MTT assay. The apoptosis of HUVECs induced by AOS was examined by Hoechst staining assay and quantified by flowcytometry. Results: In CAM, AOS caused dose-dependent decrease on the vascular density and adversely affected capillary plexus formation. Different cytotoxic sensitivities were observed for AOS towards several kinds of cell lines, and HUVECs were more sensitive. Moreover, the growth inhibitory activity was correlated with induction of apoptosis. Flowcytometric analysis also revealed that AOS arrested the cell cycle progression at S phase. Conclusion: Agaro-oligosaccharide possesses the anti-angiogenic effects, which are associated with apoptosis induction of endothelial cells.