Brucine, an indole alkaloid from Strychnos nux-vomica attenuates VEGF-induced angiogenesis via inhibiting VEGFR2 signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo

► Brucine downregulates VEGF, NO, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and IFN-γ. ► Brucine inhibits VEGF-induced cell proliferation, chemotactic motility and formation of capillary-like structures in HUVECs. ► Brucine suppresses VEGF-induced p-VEGFR2 kinase activity. ► Brucine inhibits the downstream protein kinases of VEGFR2, including Src, FAK, ERK, AKT and mTOR. ► Brucine inhibits neovascularization in vivo.