Abstract
BackgroundComplementary therapies are widely used among cancer patients. Kuan-Sin-Yin (KSY) decoction, a popular qi-promoting herbal medicine, was constituted with several herbs known to exhibit immunomodulating or anticancer activity. After combining these herbs as a compound formula, it is necessary to reassess the immunomodulation effects, the effects on tumor growth, and possible toxicity of KSY.MethodsThe anti-cancer effects of KSY in vivo were determined by measuring the tumor volumes, anticancer-associated cytokines (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-2, and IL-12), accumulation of tumor infiltrating leukocytes (TILs), proliferation and apoptosis-related molecular markers (Ki-67, p53, p21, activated caspase 3, and cleaved PARP), and an in situ TUNEL assay. The body weight and serum chemistry of treated mice were also assessed. In vitro, the effects of KSY were evaluated using MTT assay, BrdU incorporation assay and cell growth curve.ResultsIn vivo, KSY suppressed bladder or lung cancer growth but did not promote the production of cytokines nor increase the accumulation of TILs. The expression of p53 and p21 in KSY-treated mice were increased. The numbers of apoptotic tumor cells and the expression of apoptosis marker proteins (Caspase 3 and cleaved PARP) were not significantly elevated after KSY treatment. In vitro, the viability and proliferation of tumor cells, but not normal cells, were suppressed by KSY treatment. No significant toxicity was found in KSY-treated mice.ConclusionsKSY suppressed the tumor growth in vivo and in vitro, which resulted from its cytostatic effects on cancer cells, rather than the induction of anti-cancer immunity. Under these experimental conditions, no apparent toxicity was observed.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1472-6882-14-488) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Complementary therapies are widely used among cancer patients
More than 60% of outpatients obtained from the National Health Insurance database (NHIRD) had used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) from 1996-2001 [8]
KSY delays tumor growth in immunocompetent and immunocompromised mice To investigate the effect of KSY treatment on tumor development, the growth of the MBT-2 bladder cancer cells in immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts (Figure 1, C3H/HeN mice inoculated with MBT-2 cancer cells (C3-B) and BALB/cAnN-Foxn1nu/Cr1Nar1 mice inoculated with MBT-2 cancer cells (Nu-B), respectively) was examined
Summary
Kuan-Sin-Yin (KSY) decoction, a popular qi-promoting herbal medicine, was constituted with several herbs known to exhibit immunomodulating or anticancer activity. After combining these herbs as a compound formula, it is necessary to reassess the immunomodulation effects, the effects on tumor growth, and possible toxicity of KSY. Tumor cells have developed a variety of strategies to survive and suppress anti-tumor immune response. The conventional treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy impair the patient’s immunity [1]. In Taiwan, the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been reimbursed by the National Health Insurance since 1996. TCM is very popular in Taiwan, including fighting the related symptoms of malignant neoplasm
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