Abstract

Angiogenesis, which is the development of blood vessels from previously existing vessels, is a physiological process. It is a common and most important process in the formation and development of blood vessels, so it is supportive in healing of wound and granulation tissue. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of pomegranate whole fruit extract on angiogenesis by using CAM assay and to verify either the extract is angiogenic or anti-angiogenic. To explore the effect on angiogenesis we used CAM model which is an extra-embryonic membrane model in Chicken embryos and SPIP (scanning probe image processor) for quantification of resultant images. For this study fertilized eggs were collected from a local hatchery in Lahore and different aqueous dilutions of whole fruit extract were applied on developing CAM on day 6. A noticeable reduction in surface roughness of the blood vessels was observed. The diameter of tertiary, secondary and primary blood vessels was also reduced as compared to the blood vessels of control group CAM. The maximum effect was seen with 0.5% dilution. The study proved that Punica granatum (Pomegranate) fruit extract was anti-angiogenic and can be included in the studies for the development of new drug studies to treat cancer (as an anti angiogenic agent).