Cotton, a staple fiber that grows around the seeds of the cotton plants (Gossypium), is produced throughout the world, and its by products, such as cotton fibers, cotton-seed oil, and cottonseed proteins, have a variety of applications. Cotton-seed contains gossypol, a natural phenol compound. (±)-Gossypol is a yellowish polyphenol that is derived from different parts of the cotton plant and contains potent anticancer properties. Tumor growth and metastasis are mainly related to angiogenesis; therefore, anti-angiogenic therapy targets the new blood vessels that provide oxygen and nutrients to actively proliferating tumor cells. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-angiogenic potential of (±)-gossypol in vitro. (±)-Gossypol has anti-proliferative effects on cancer cell lines; however, its anti-angiogenic effects on normal cells have not been studied. Anti-proliferative activities of gossypol assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, anti-angiogenic activities using tube formation assay, and cell migration inhibition capability using a wound-healing assay on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were revealed. (±)-Gossypol displayed the following potent anti-angiogenic activities in vitro: it inhibited the cell viability of HUVECs, it inhibited the migration of HUVECs, and disrupted endothelial tube formation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the anti-angiogenic effects of (±)-gossypol were investigated in ovo in a model using a chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Decreases in capillary density were assessed and scored. (±)-Gossypol showed dose-dependent anti-angiogenic effects on CAM. These findings suggest that (±)-gossypol can be used as a new anti-angiogenic agent.

Angiogenesis, it is the process of the formation of new capillaries from pre-existing vessels. Tumor growth and metastasis depend on angiogenesis Studies show that natural and synthetic boron compounds have anticancer effects. Although the anticancer effects of some boron compounds include borax pentahydrate have been demonstrated, there is no data on their antiangiogenic effects in the literature. This study was aimed to investigate antiangiogenic potential effects of borax pentahydrate (BPH) in in vitro and in vivo. Anti-proliferative activities of BPH assessed MTT assay. Anti-angiogenic activities were investigated using tube formation assay in vitro and chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay in vivo. In addition, the protein level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) molecule, which is the basic molecule in vessel formation was determined by western blot analysis. BPH displayed potent antiangiogenic activities in vitro: inhibited proliferation HUVECs, disrupted endothelial tube formation and inhibited vascular formation of CAM surface in a dose dependent manner. In addition, significant dose-dependent decrease was observed in the VEGF protein levels. These findings suggest that BPH could be a new anti-angiogenic agent. BPH may shed light on drug development studies as a new therapeutic agent for angiogenesis-related diseases.