Celastrol Inhibits Laser-induced Choroidal Neovascularization by Decreasing VEGF Induced Proliferation and Migration

Overview

Journal Int J Ophthalmol

Specialty Ophthalmology

Date 2022 Aug 26

PMID 36017049

Authors

Zhen Li

Ke-Wen Zhou

Fang Chen

Fu Shang

Ming-Xing Wu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate celastrol's effect on choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

Methods: In this study, neovascular formation (tube formation and aortic ring culture) and (laser induced neovascular in mice) was treated with celastrol to evaluate this natural compound's impact on CNV. Western blot was applied to explore the possible mechanism for it. For assay, triplicate for each group was repeated at least three times. For assay, each group contains 5 mice.

Results: Celastrol supressed tube formation and aortic ring sprout neovascularization. assay exhibited that celastrol inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human choroidal endothelial cells, and by blocking VEGF signaling. Furthermore, intraperitoneal administration of celastrol significantly reduced the area of laser-induced CNV in an mouse model. By day 14, the area of CNV had decreased by 49.15% and 80.26% in the 0.1 mg/kg celastrol-treated group (=5) and in the 0.5 mg/kg celastrol treated group (=5), respectively, compared to the vehicle-treated group (=5).

Conclusion: Celastrol inhibits CNV by inhibiting VEGF-induced proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells, indicating that celastrol is a potent, natural therapeutic compound for the prevention of CNV.

Citing Articles

The role of celastrol in inflammation and diseases.

Lei H, Ruan Y, Ding R, Li H, Zhang X, Ji X Inflamm Res. 2025; 74(1):23.

PMID: 39862265 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-024-01983-5.

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