Investigating the anti-angiogenic effects of Fufang Kushen Injection in combination with cisplatin using a zebrafish model

The Traditional Chinese Medicine formula Fufang Kushen Injection (FKI) has demonstrated potential to enhance the efficacy and reduce the toxicity of the chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin. However, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether the combination of matrine and cisplatin were linked to the angiogenesis pathway. In this study, we selected two zebrafish lines, AB and Tg (vegfr2: GFP), as in vivo models to rapidly assess the anti-angiogenesis effects. KFI and cisplatin had no obvious effects when used individually, but combined KFI (5 and 10 μL/mL) and cisplatin (50μg/mL) significantly inhibited the zebrafish intersegmental vessel (ISV) formation and growth. Matrine at 50 μg/mL also showed synergetic anti-angiogenesis activity with cisplatin (50μg/mL) in 48hpf zebrafish larvae. This study has shown the potential of FKI to enhance cisplatin efficacy and reduce its toxicity by inhibiting angiogenesis. These results contribute to the scientific evidence supporting the use of KFI in combination with cisplatin to treat cancer in the clinic.