Evaluation of the antiangiogenic and angiopreventive activity of nature-based compounds.

Several studies demonstrated that angiogenesis is a limiting process for tumour growth and progression. Consequently it is at the same time a potential target for both preventive and therapeutic interventions. Angiogenesis is a multi-step phenomenon that involves different cell types; in particular endothelial cells, tumour cells and immune cells, which orchestrate an intricate network of stimuli aiming to render tumour microenvironment suitable for malignant progression. Here we have demonstrated the anti-angiogenic activity of three compounds derived from naturalling occurring sources: hyperforin (from Saint John’s Wort), methyl-2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9-dien-28-oate (CDDO-Me) and 1-[2-cyano-3-,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oyl]imidazole (CDDO-Im), both synthetic compounds based on oleanolic acids found in citrus fruits. These compounds could be suitable chemoprevention approaches, and the CDDO derivatives are under study for chemotherapeutic application.