【Objective】 To investigate the inhibitory effects of (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on growth and tumor angiogenesis and regulations of EGCG on expression of COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2)

VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)

and bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor) in nude mice xenogrfts tumor of Human HepG2 Cells. 【Methods】 HepG2 cells were transplanted into the dorsal subcutaneous tissue of athymic nude mice. The mice were treated with different concentrations of EGCG 10 days after transplantation

and were killed after 38 days. Tumor volume and weight were measured. Expression of COX-2

VEGF

and bFGF were detected by indirect immunofluorescence flow cytometry assay and Western blot and microvessel density (MVD) using immunohistochemical methods. 【Results】 The average tumor volume was significantly smaller and the average tumor weight was significantly lighter in EGCG 50mg/kg group than in control group[(1174.6 ± 793.5)mm3 vs (649.3 ± 100.8) mm3 and (0.572 ± 0.138)g vs (0.340 ± 0.066)g

P < 0.05]. The inhibitory rate of tumor growth was 40.56%. MVD values of the saline control group and the group of EGCG 50 mg/kg were (23.24 ± 1.76) and (14.27 ± 1.25)

the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01); indirect immunofluorescence flow cytometry and Western Blot analysis results suggest that EGCG was concentration-dependently inhibited HepG2 cells transplanted tumors in the expression of COX-2

VEGF and bFGF. 【Conclusions】EGCG inhibits the growth and angiogenesis of HepG2 cell xenogrfts in small nude mice. It?蒺s mechanism may be related to the inhibition of COX-2 expression and the resulting VEGF and bFGF protein expression lower them.