Comparative Evaluation of Anti-angiogenic Potential of Four Medicinal Plant Extracts Using Chick Embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane (Cam) Assay

Background Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, plays a critical role in tumor progression and metastasis. Inhibiting this process offers promising avenues for cancer therapy. Traditional medicinal plants have been widely recognized for their anti-angiogenic and anticancer properties. Objective To assess and compare the anti-angiogenic efficacy of four medicinal plant extracts— Curcuma longa (Turmeric), Zingiber officinale (Ginger), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), and Aloe barbadensis Miller (Aloe Vera)—using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Methods Ethanolic extracts of the selected plant parts were prepared and applied at two different concentrations (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) onto the CAM of fertilized chicken eggs. Anti-angiogenic activity was evaluated by scoring neovascular inhibition and analyzing vascular branching patterns, including vessel area, total vessel length, branch points, and lacunarity. Results All plant extracts demonstrated dose-dependent anti-angiogenic effects. Curcuma longa showed the strongest activity (score: 3.6 ± 0.20 at 100 mg/kg, p  < 0.001), significantly reducing vessel area, length, and branching, and increasing lacunarity. Zingiber officinale followed closely in efficacy. Ocimum sanctum exhibited moderate inhibition, while Aloe vera showed the least effect. Quantitative image analysis validated the visual observations and CAM scores. Conclusion Curcuma longa and Zingiber officinale emerged as potent natural angiogenesis inhibitors, offering potential for development into adjunct therapies for angiogenesis-dependent diseases. Further molecular investigations are recommended to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.