Effects of berberine on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in HepG2 cells

[Objective]To study the effect of berberine on cell proliferation and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in HepG2 cells.[Methods]After being treated with different concentrations of berberine for 24h,HepG2 cells growth inhibition was assessed by MTT assay.VEGF levels of mRNA and protein in HepG2 were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blot respectively.[Results]In certain concentration range,berberine inhibited cellular proliferation and down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of VEGF in dose-dependant manner.[Conclusion]Berberine can inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells and expression of VEGF,and anti-angiogenesis may be one of the mechanisms of its antitumor action.