Gallic acid, a phenolic compound, exerts anti-angiogenic effects via the PTEN/AKT/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway in ovarian cancer cells

He,Zhiping; Chen,Allen  Y.; Rojanasakul,Yon; Rankin,Gary  O.; Chen,Yi  Charlie

doi:10.3892/or.2015.4354

Gallic acid, a phenolic compound, exerts anti-angiogenic effects via the PTEN/AKT/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway in ovarian cancer cells

Authors:
- Zhiping He
- Allen Y. Chen
- Yon Rojanasakul
- Gary O. Rankin
- Yi Charlie Chen
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Affiliations: Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Agriculture and Food Science, Zhejiang A & F University, Lin'an, Zhejiang 311300, P.R. China, Department of Pharmaceutical Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Toxicology, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755, USA
Published online on: October 27, 2015 https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2015.4354
Pages: 291-297

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Abstract

Gallic acid (GA), a polyphenol, is widely found in numerous fruits and vegetables, particularly in hickory nuts. In the present study, we found that gallic acid, a natural phenolic compound isolated from fruits and vegetables, had a more potent growth inhibitory effect on two ovarian cancer cell lines, OVCAR-3 and A2780/CP70, than the effect on a normal ovarian cell line, IOSE-364. These results demonstrated that GA selectively inhibits the growth of cancer cells. Gene expression was examined by ELISA and western blot analysis, and gene pathways were examined by luciferase assay. It was found that GA inhibited VEGF secretion and suppressed in vitro angiogenesis in a concentration-dependent manner. GA downregulated AKT phosphorylation as well as HIF-1α expression but promoted PTEN expression. The luciferase assay results suggest that the PTEN/AKT/HIF-1α pathway accounts for the inhibitory effect of GA on VEGF expression and in vitro angiogenesis. These findings provide strong support for the high potential of GA in the prevention and therapy of ovarian cancer.

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