Abstract
Objective Gang-Qing-Ning (GQN) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula that has been used in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the folk population for decades. However, scientific validation is still necessary to lend credibility to the traditional use of GQN against HCC. This study investigates the antitumor effect of GQN on H22 tumor-bearing mice and its possible mechanism. Methods Fifty H22 tumor-bearing mice were randomly assigned to five groups. Three groups were treated with high, medium, and low dosages of GQN (27.68, 13.84, and 6.92 g/kg, respectively); the positive control group was treated with cytoxan (CTX) (20 mg/kg) and the model group was treated with normal saline. After 10 days' treatment, the tumor inhibitory rates were calculated. Pathological changes in tumor tissue were observed, and the key proteins and genes of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway were measured, as well as the mRNA expression levels of VEGF in tumor tissue. Results The tumor inhibitory rates of high, medium, and low dosages of GQN groups were 47.39%, 38.26%, and 22.17%, respectively. The high dosage of the GQN group significantly increased the protein and mRNA expression levels of Bax, Cyt-C, and cleaved Caspase 3 (or Caspase 3) (P < 0.01) but decreased the expression levels of Bcl-2, VEGF, and microvessel density (MVD) (P < 0.01). Conclusions The high dosage of GQN can significantly inhibit the tumor growth in H22 tumor-bearing mice. It exerts the antitumor effect by enhancing proapoptotic factors and inhibiting the antiapoptotic factor of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and inhibiting tumor angiogenesis.
Highlights
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is currently the 4th most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in China [1], and the 3rd leading cause of cancer death in the world [2,3,4]
While the spleen is rich in macrophages and lymphocytes, and it can produce immunoglobulin, the increase of spleen index indicates the enhancement of immunity. us, the thymus and spleen indices are often used to evaluate immune function, and boosting immunity is helpful for tumor therapy
Our results showed that the protein and gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as well as microvessel density (MVD) were significantly inhibited by GQN and CTX, and, the inhibitory effect of the GQN (H) group was superior to that of the other treatment groups (Figures 3(d), 4, and 5). ese results are consistent with the tumor growth inhibitory rate and suggest that the antitumor effect of GQN is mediated by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis
Summary
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is currently the 4th most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in China [1], and the 3rd leading cause of cancer death in the world [2,3,4]. HCC is the main type of liver cancer and accounts for 90% of primary liver cancers [5,6,7,8]. Great efforts have been made in the treatment of HCC, the cure rate and survival time of patients with HCC are still not optimistic. E main methods for HCC treatment include surgical therapy, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy, among others. Traditional Chinese medicines play an important role in the treatment of HCC. Gan-Qing-Ning (GQN) is a traditional Chinese medicinal formula composed of 19 medicinal materials, such as Eupolyphaga steleophage, Hirudo, Hedyotis diffusa, and Scutellaria barbata (Table 1). GQN has been used in the treatment of HCC in the folk population for decades and can significantly prolong patient survival. E main medicines of Eupolyphaga steleophage and Hedyotis GQN has been used in the treatment of HCC in the folk population for decades and can significantly prolong patient survival. e main medicines of Eupolyphaga steleophage and Hedyotis
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