Evaluation and Quantification of Angiogenesis Activity of Terminalia Bellirica Roxb, by Mice Sponge Implantation Method

Angiogenesis represents an excellent therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. It is a potent physiological process that underlies the natural manner in which our bodies respond to a diminution of blood supply to vital organs, namely the production of new collateral vessels to overcome the ischemic state. This present study is aimed to evaluate and quantify the angiogenic potential of Terminalia bellirica Roxb, by in vivo mice sponge implantation assay. Here, gelatin sponge with or without ethanolic extract of Terminalia bellirica leaf (EETB – 0.3 mg and 0.5 mg, respectively) were subcutaneously injected into Swiss albino mice, and 14 days later, the implanted sponges were excised and histologically examined. The stained section showed that sponge containing EETB had produced more vessels in gels than sponges alone. The new vessels were abundantly filled with intact red blood corpuscles (RBCs), which indicate the formation of a functional vasculature inside the sponges and blood circulation in newly formed vessels by angiogenesis which is induced by EETB. It also measured that the hemoglobin content inside the sponges: whereas, hemoglobin in control was nearly 0.3 μg, EETB cases the hemoglobin quantity was markedly enhanced to about 17 μg. Taken together, it demonstrated that ethanolic extract of Terminalia bellirica leaf exhibited a profound angiogenic activity in vivo. The phytochemical screening and qualitative instrumental analysis of EETB reveals the presence of proteins and phytosterols. The promising angiogenic potential may be due to the presence of the above chemical constituents. Further study is required to define more precisely the molecular mechanisms by which ethanolic extract of Terminalia bellirica leaf modulates endothelial cell function and gene expression, as well as the pathological relevance of these findings.