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<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, has become an important target in cancer therapy. Angiogenesis plays an important role in tumor growth and metastasis. Koetjapic acid (KA) is a seco-A-ring oleanene triterpene isolated from <it>S. koetjape</it>. The solvent extract of this plant species was shown previously to have strong antiangiogenic activity; however the active ingredient(s) that conferred the biological activity and the mode of action was not established. Given the high concentration of KA in <it>S. koetjape</it>, an attempt has been made in this study to investigate the antiangiogenic properties of KA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Treatment with 10-50 μg/ml KA resulted in dose dependent inhibition of new blood vessels growth in <it>ex vivo </it>rat aortic ring assay. KA was found to be non-cytotoxic against HUVECs with IC₅₀40.97 ± 0.37 μg/ml. KA inhibited major angiogenesis process steps, endothelial cell migration and differentiation as well as VEGF expression.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The non-cytotoxic compound, KA, may be a potent antiangiogenic agent; its activity may be attributed to inhibition of endothelial cells migration and differentiation as well VEGF suppression.</p>