Research progress on intervention by Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma on angiogenesis of tumor and ischemic disease / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Diseases with excessive angiogenesis such as tumors need to be treated with anti-angiogenesis agents, while ischemic diseases need to be treated with pro-angiogenesis agents. Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, the representative drug which promotes circulation and resolves clots, was widely used in treating tumors and ischemic diseases. This review focused on the current research on the angiogenic effect of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and its water-soluble or fat-soluble components. It was found that there are some controversy reports. Both pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic effects of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and its components have been reported. The major difference between tumor and ischemia is the maturity and stability of vessels. Angiogenesis is a complex process involving many signaling molecules. Therefore, the components of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma will regulate the levels and functions of angiogenesis, and then vessels produce different maturity and stability. Overall, such controversy may be caused by differences in experimental conditions, the diversity of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma components, the complexity of the angiogenic process, and the differences of drug distribution under different pathological states in vivo.