Objective: To investigate the effect of curcumin on the proliferation

migration

angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)

and the growth of B16F10 melanoma. Method: HUVECs were treatment with different concentrations (0-15 μmol·L-1) of curcumin and the proliferation was measured by MTT. The morphological change of apoptotic HUVECs was detecte by using Hoechst 33258.The effect of curcumin on HUVECs migration ability was assayed by Transwell. The anti-angiogenesis action of curcumin was investigated by using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. The expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) in HUVECs and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in B16F10 were measured by Western blot. B16F10 cells were inoculated into CAM and post tumor formation

the impact of curcumin on tumor growth was analyzed. The expressions of VEGFR-2 and MMP-2 in B16F10 tumor tissue were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Result: Curcumin (4-15 μmol·L-1) had no inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HUVECs

but it (8

10

15 μmol·L-1) could inhibit VEGF-induced proliferation of HUVECs (P <0.05

P <0.01). Hoechst 33258 staining showed that curcumin inhibited VEGF-induced the HUVECs

which was not dependent on the induction of HUVECs apoptosis (P <0.05

P <0.01). Transwell migration experiments showed that curcumin (8

10

15 μmol·L-1) could inhibit HUVECs migration

CAM assay confirmed that curcumin could reduce the number of blood vessels

inhibited angiogenesis in vivo(P <0.05

P <0.01). Curcumin could inhibit HUVECs VEGFR-2 and B1610 cells MMP-2 protein expressions (P <0.05

P <0.01). Curcumin (20 mg·L-1) inhibited the growth of melanoma B16F10 in vivo

immunohistochemistry and Western blot showed that curcumin (20 mg·L-1) inhibited the VEGFR-2 and MMP-2 protein expressions (P <0.05

P <0.01). Conclusion: Curcumin inhibited VEGF-induced HUVECs proliferation

migration and angiogenesis

inhibited the growth of melanoma. The mechanism of curcumin may be achieved by inhibiting VEGFR-2

MMP-2 protein expressions.