Resveratrol and quercetin inhibit angiogenesis in vitro

Resveratrol and quercetin are polyphenolic compounds found in grapes, red wine and other food products. In this study, we examined the effect of resveratrol and quercetin on the inhibition of angiogenesis in vitro. Resveratrol and quercetin inhibited the growth of bovine aorta endothelial (BAE) cells in a concentration-dependent manner (6-100 muM). The migration of BAE was obviously inhibited by resveratrol and weakly inhibited by quercetin. When the lengths of all tubes constructed in the 3-D culture system with or without resveratrol or quercetin were measured, resveratrol was found to inhibit the tube formation of BAE cells in a concentration-dependent manner (6-100 muM). On the other hand, quercetin at concentrations above 100_M significantly inhibited the tube formation of vascular endothelial cells. From these results, we suggest that resveratrol and quercetin may prove useful in the development of useful therapeutic agents or preventive food factors for tumor angiogenesis. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.