Skip to main content
Figure 3 | Chinese Medicine

Figure 3

From: Pharmacogenomics and the Yin/Yang actions of ginseng: anti-tumor, angiomodulating and steroid-like activities of ginsenosides

Figure 3

The balance hypothesis of the 'angiogenic switch'. Angiogenesis is tightly controlled by the balance of two sets of counteracting factors – angiogenic activators and inhibitors. The stability of 'angiogenic switch' determines the time of initiation of the subsequent angiogenic process. When there are more angiogenic stimulators than angiogenic inhibitors, as in the case of solid tumors, normal wound healing or female endometrial repair, the 'angiogenic switch' will be turned on and angiogenesis will proceed. Furthermore, during the process, each step is strictly mediated by the balance of different types of angiogenic stimulators or inhibitors. In some pathological cases, the 'angiogenic switch' remains in the 'ON' mode which leads to 'non-stop' formation of new blood vessels and ultimately many physiological disorders and diseases.

Back to article page