Objective    To observe the effect of saikosaponin-d (SSd) on expression of VEGF and angioptrotein-2 (Ang-2) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) SMMC-7721 cells.     Methods    Human HCC SMMC-7721 cells were induced by LPS and treated with SSd at different concentrations (2.5

5

10

or 20 mg/L) for 48 h. Nimesulide (a COX-2 selective inhibitor) at the concentration of 300 μmol/L served as a positive control. Proliferation of HCC SMMC-7721 cells was measured by MTT assay. Expressions of VEGF and Ang-2 protein as well as VEGF mRNA in HCC SMMC-7721 cells were detected by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR

respectively. VEGF level in cultured supernatant was measured by ELISA.     Results    SSd significantly inhibited the growth and proliferation of HCC SMMC-7721 cells. The expression rates of VEGF and Ang-2 were significantly higher in 10 mg/L SSd group than in LPS induction group (80.0% vs 60.0%

86.67% vs 53.33%

P0.05)

while the expression level of VEGF mRNA in HCC SMMC-7721 cells and the VEGF level in cultured supernatant were also significantly higher in 10 mg/L SSd group than in LPS induction group (0.83±0.07 vs 0.09±0.03

655.00±5.56 vs 446.15±5.05 pg/ml

P0.01)

indicating that SSd inhibits the VEGF level in cultured supernatant in a dose-dependent manner.     Conclusion    SSd exerts its anti-tumor effect through the VEGF and Ang-2 signaling pathways.