The aim of the work was to study the effect of aqueous and 50% hydroalcoholic extracts of Rhodiola rosea, Rhodiola kirilowii and Rhodiola quadrifida roots and rhizomes on neovascular reaction induced in the skin of Balb/c mice after grafting of human kidney cancer tissue homogenate or, for comparison, L-1 sarcoma syngeneic cells. Mice were fed 0.4 mg of extracts daily, for 3 days. After 72 hours mice were sacrificed with lethal dose of Morbital. All newly formed blood vessels were identified and counted in dissection microscope.
Results: Extracts of underground parts of Rhodiola rosea and Rhodiola kirilowii significantly decreased cutaneous neovascular reaction induced by human cancer homogenate, extracts prepared from Rhodiola quadrifida were ineffective in this model of angiogenesis. In syngeneic tumor cells model all extracts were effective, except aqueous extract of R. kirilowii.