Effect of Valeriana Sysimberifolia Extract on VEGF Expression in A549 Cell Line

Today, the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of cancer is more important due to its fewer side effects. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most important factors in stimulating angiogenesis and promoting cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of Valeriana Sysimberifolia root extract on proliferation of lung cancer cells (A549) and VEGF gene expression in treated cells.

The hydro alcoholic extract of Valeriana Sysimberifolia root was prepared by percolation. After preparation of cell line A549 from the Iranian Biological Resource Center, cancer cells were treated in culture medium with different concentrations of plant root extract (50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.12, 1.56, 0.78 µg/ml) at 24, 48 and 72 hours and viability was performed by MTT assay at all three time. Real Time-PCR method was used to evaluate the expression of VEGF gene in cancer cells treated with IC50 concentration of plant extract.

With increasing the concentration of the extract and the treatment time, a decrease in viability of cancer cells was observed. The highest inhibition of cell proliferation was observed at a concentration of 50µg/ml after 72 hours (94% growth inhibition) which was significant compared to the control group (p= 0.0001). Also, with increasing treatment time, decreased VEGF gene expression was seen compared to the control group. Thus, a two times decrease in VEGF gene expression was seen in cells after 72 hours (p= 0.0017).

Valeriana Sysimberifolia root extract has anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenesis activity. It seems that further studies can be used as a biological product in the treatment of cancer.