Anti-angiogenic activity of tocotrienol

Abstract

The anti-angiogenic property of vitamin E compounds, with particular emphasis on tocotrienol, has been investigated in vitro. Tocotrienol, but not tocopherol, inhibited both the proliferation and tube formation of bovine aortic endothelial cells, with δ-tocotrienol appearing the highest activity. Also, δ-tocotrienol reduced the vascular endothelial growth factor-stimulated tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Our findings suggest that tocotrienol has potential use as a therapeutic dietary supplement for minimizing tumor angiogenesis. © 2003 by Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry.