Celastrol inhibits vasculogenesis by suppressing the VEGF-induced functional activity of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells

► Celastrol inhibits VEGF-induced cell viability, adhesion, migration of BM-EPCs. ► Celastrol suppresses VEGF-induced tube formation activity in BM-EPCs. ► Celastrol attenuates VEGF secretion in the cell supernatant. ► Celastrol inactivates VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR2, eNOS, Akt in BM-EPCs.