Planta medica
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The roots of Angelica keiskei Koizumi (Umbelliferae) have traditionally been used as a health food considered to have diuretic, laxative, analeptic and lactagogue effects. Recently, it has been thought that the roots and herbs of A. keiskei have preventive effects against coronary heart disease, hypertension and cancer. It has been reported that chalcone derivatives, such as xanthoangelol and 4-hydroxyderricin, are isolated as main components from this root. ⋯ In addition, 4-hydroxyderricin (50 mg/kg x 2/day) inhibited the reduction of the numbers of lymphocytes, CD4+, CD8+ and natural killer (NK)-T cells in the spleen of tumor-removed mice. Doxorubicin reduced the numbers of lymphocytes, CD4+, CD8+ and NK cells compared to those in LLC-removed mice. These results suggest that the antitumor and antimetastatic activities of 4-hydroxyderricin may be modulated by the immune system and the inhibition of angiogenesis.