Direct inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88 pathway by geniposide suppresses HIF-1α-independent VEGF expression and angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

The direct inhibitory effect of geniposide on TLR4/MyD88 activation contributes to the suppression of STAT3/Sp1-dependent VEGF overexpression in HCC angiogenesis and pulmonary metastasis. This action of geniposide was not affected by stabilization of HIF-1α. Our study offers a novel anti-VEGF mechanism for the inhibition of HCC.