Total Flavones of Abelmoschus manihot Exhibits Pro-Angiogenic Activity by Activating the VEGF-A/VEGFR2-PI3K/Akt Signaling Axis.

Angiogenesis is a process of new blood vessel formation from pre-existing vessels. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) binds to VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR2) and thus activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway play a central role in angiogenesis. Total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot (TFA), the major active component of the traditional Chinese herb Abelmoschus manihot, display novel pro-angiogenic activity.