Experimental immunology
The effect of Echinacea purpurea on the morphology, angiogenic activity and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration of murine L-1 sarcoma tumors

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of feeding mice Echinacea purpurea-containing drugs on 1) neovascular response induced in mice by L-1 sarcoma cells 3 days after intracutaneous grafting 2) morphology, angiogenic activity and VEGF concentration of murine sarcoma L-1 tumors 7 days after intracutaneous cells transplantation.
Material and Methods: Echinacea purpurea-containing drugs: Immunal forte tablets (LEK, Slovenia) and Echinapur tablets (Herbapol Poznań), 0.6 mg per day. Animals: inbred Balb/c mice 8-10 weeks old. Tumor cells: murine L-1 sarcoma from Warsaw Cancer Center Collection. Methods: cutaneous angiogenesis assay according to Sidky and Auerbach, VEGF concentration measurement (ELISA) and histological evaluation of L-1 sarcoma tumors 7 days after transplantation of cells.
Results: Echinapur diminished angiogenesis induced by murine L-1 sarcoma cells 3 days after intradermal cells injection. Both Echinapur and Immunal reduced VEGF concentration in L1 sarcoma tumor tissue, evaluated 7 days after intradermal cells grafting. There were no differences in mass and diameter of tumors between investigated and control groups. In Echinacea-fed groups, however, there were less small blood vessels at a margin of tumor.