Abstract
BackgroundRecent studies report that inflammatory diseases of the large intestine are associated with colorectal cancer. Geijigajakyak Decoction (GJD) has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, in light of the connection between chronic bowel inflammation and colorectal cancer (CRC), we asked whether GJD inhibits colorectal tumorigenesis.MethodsThe effects of GJD on the viability and proliferation of CRC cells were evaluated using MTT and BrdU assays, respectively. The motility of CRC cells was examined by a Transwell migration/invasion assay and immunoblot analysis was used to examine the signaling pathways associated with migration. A syngeneic Balb/c mice allograft model, in which CT26 cells were injected into the dorsum, was used to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of GJD in vivo.ResultsGJD had no cytotoxic effects against HCT116 CRC cells, although it did inhibit their proliferation. GJD inhibited the migration of HCT116 cells, and suppressed the invasion of HCT116, Caco2, and CSC221 CRC cells. In addition, GJD downregulated the expression of p-JNK and p-p38 MAPK, which are downstream signaling molecules associated with invasiveness. Furthermore, oral administration of GJD (333 mg/kg, twice a day) inhibited tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model.ConclusionsGJD inhibited the motility of human CRC cells and suppressed tumorigenesis in a mouse model. These results suggest that GJD warrants further study as a potential adjuvant anti-cancer therapy.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1281-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Recent studies report that inflammatory diseases of the large intestine are associated with colorectal cancer
The Shanghanlun, an ancient Chinese medical report, introduces the Geijigajakyak Decoction (GJD; Gui Zhi Jia Shao Yao Tang) in the section dealing with greater yin disease, which covers all diseases with symptoms such as abdominal fullness, food accumulation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain [4]
We found that GJD inhibited the motility of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells in vitro and colorectal tumorigenesis in vivo
Summary
Recent studies report that inflammatory diseases of the large intestine are associated with colorectal cancer. Geijigajakyak Decoction (GJD) has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is popular with cancer patients today. Some herbal formulations are thought to affect multiple pharmacological targets; as such, they are expected to be a useful component of combination therapies that show better efficacy and greater safety than single compound-based drugs [3]. The Shanghanlun, an ancient Chinese medical report, introduces the Geijigajakyak Decoction (GJD; Gui Zhi Jia Shao Yao Tang) in the section dealing with greater yin disease, which covers all diseases with symptoms such as abdominal fullness, food accumulation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain [4]. If patients with greater yin disease experience abdominal fullness and pain, GJD is prescribed as the optimal drug; it is used to treat many gastrointestinal diseases, including colitis.
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