ABSTRACT
Numerous bioactive chemical compounds of plant origin may influence the angiogenic activity of various cell types and may thus affect the formation of blood vessels. Here we present the angiogenic effects of extracts of edible plants collected in Crete, Southern Italy and Southern Spain. Extracts have been applied to cultured human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human keratinocytes (HaCaT). About half out of 96 extracts exerted an inhibitory effect on HMEC-1 proliferation. Additionally, we have noted the inhibitory effects of extracts on HUVEC differentiation on a Matrigel layer. None of the extracts showed a stimulatory activity. The extract of Thymus piperella exerted moderate inhibitory effect on cobalt-chloride induced VEGF synthesis, however, CoCl(2)-induced activation of hypoxia responsive element of VEGF promoter was significantly attenuated only by extract of Origanum heracleoticum. Our study indicates that extracts of local food plants, of potential value as nutraceuticals, contain chemical compounds which may inhibit angiogenesis. Demonstration of their real influence on human health requires, however, extensive animal studies and controlled clinical investigations.
Subject(s)
Angiogenesis Inhibitors/pharmacology , Endothelial Cells/drug effects , Keratinocytes/drug effects , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Angiogenesis Inhibitors/isolation & purification , Animals , Cell Growth Processes/drug effects , Cynara/chemistry , Daucus carota/chemistry , Endothelial Cells/cytology , Humans , Keratinocytes/cytology , Mice , NIH 3T3 Cells , Neovascularization, Pathologic/drug therapy , Neovascularization, Physiologic/drug effects , Origanum/chemistry , Papaver/chemistry , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Thymus Plant/chemistryABSTRACT
A free water surface wetland treating domestic wastewater for the village of Pompia in Southern Crete was constructed in early 1999 and became operational on September 1st of the same year. The total surface area of the wetland was 5700m2, designed for 1200 people equivalent. Arundo donax (giant reed) was used for the vegetation of the bed. Approximately 4-6 plants were introduced per square meter. Two years later the wetland was well covered with plants. The Arundo donax was developed as the dominant specie covering more than 95% of the wetland's surface, reaching its maximum developing potential in both density (70-90 plants per m2) and size (5-7 m). More than 30 other plants were identified most of them in the banks of the wetland.
