Figure 7

Curcumin inhibits capillary tube formation and migration of HUVEC cells. (A), HUVECs were seeded in 24-well plates containing matrigel, and treated with various concentrations of curcumin for 24 h. Capillary tubes were counted under a microscope. Data represent mean ± SD. * = significantly different from control, P < 0.05. (B), HUVECs were seeded in 24-well plates containing matrigel. Cells were pretreated with ERK inhibitor (10 μM) for 3 h, followed by treatment with curcumin (40 μM) for 24 h. Capillary tubes were counted under a microscope. Data represent mean ± SD. * = significantly different from control, P < 0.05. (C), Picture of capillary tube formation. HUVECs were treated as described in B. Pictures of capillary tubes were taken by a microscope. (D), HUVECs were treated with various concentrations of curcumin (20, 40 and 60 μM) or DMSO (control). Migration of HUVEC cells through the membrane was determined after 24 h of incubation at 37°C using Transwell Boyden chamber. Cells that had migrated to the lower chamber were fixed with 90% ethanol, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, quantified by counting the number of cells under a microscope. Data represent mean ± SD. * = significantly different from control, P < 0.05. (E), HUVECs were pretreated with ERK inhibitor (10 μM) for 3 h, followed by treatment with curcumin (40 μM) or DMSO (control) for 24 h at 37°C. Cells migrated to the lower chamber were fixed, stained and quantified.