Objective        To investigate the effect of cinnamic aldehyde on the proliferation and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in A375 cells.       Methods        A375 cells were co-cultured with cinnamic aldehyde at the concentrations of 0

10

20 and 40 μmol/L for 24

48 and 72 h respectively. The proliferation of A375 cells was tested by MTT assay. VEGF level in the supernatant was detected by ELISA.       Results       Cinnamic aldehyde at 10 μmol/L inhibited A375 cells proliferation after 24 hours’ treatment

Cinnamic aldehyde at 10

20 and 40 μmol/L affected the cell proliferation significantly (P＜0.01). The proliferation of A375 cells was most remarkably inhibited after co-culture of 40 μmol/L cinnamic aldehyde for 72 h

with the highest inhibitory rate of (88.91±4.5)%. VEGF level in the supernatant was reduced gradually with the elapse of time. After the treatment of 72 h

cinnamic aldehyde at all above concentrations resulted in a significant reduction of VEGF secretion (P0.01). The lowest level of VEGF in the A375 cells was 9.55 pg/ml after co-culture of 40 μmol/L cinnamic aldehyde for 72 h.       Conclusion        Cinnamic aldehyde inhibits the proliferation and decreases VEGF secretion in human melanoma cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner.