Abstract
BackgroundBreast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Although traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is commonly used by patients with breast cancer, little is known about TCM prescriptions for breast cancer. This study investigated the effects of a new TCM formula, T33, comprising Radix Kansui, Rheum rhabarbarum, Paeonia lactiflora, Jiangbanxia, and Zhigancao on breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.MethodsTo evaluate the effects of T33 on human breast cancer, HMEpiC, MDA-MB231 and MCF-7 cells were treated with different concentrations of T33 and then analyzed using MTT and Transwell migration assays. To elucidate the involvement of autophagy in the T33-induced death of MDA-MB231 and MCF-7 cells, immunofluorescence staining with LC3-II-specific antibodies was performed. Tumor xenografts were generated by subcutaneously injecting either MDA-MB231 or MCF-7 cells into BALB/c nude mice to determine the effects of T33 on these cell lines in vivo.ResultsThe experimental results revealed that 0.1 mg/mL, 0.5 mg/mL, 2.5 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL T33 significantly inhibited the proliferation and invasion of MDA-MB231 and MCF-7 cells. Moreover, significant autophagy was observed in MDA-MB231 and MCF-7 cells in the presence of 2.5 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL T33. An animal study further revealed that both low (200 mg/kg) and high (600 mg/kg) doses of T33 inhibited the proliferation of xenografted breast cancer cells in BALB/c nude mice.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate for the first time that T33 has potential in the treatment of breast cancer owing to its antiproliferative effects and induction of autophagy.
Highlights
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide
T33 reduces the proliferative and invasive capacities of MDA-MB231 and MCF-7 cells in vitro To evaluate the effects of T33 on human breast cancer, HMEpiC, MDA-MB231 and MCF-7 cells were treated with different concentrations of T33 and analyzed using MTT and Transwell migration assays
Reduced survival rates of both MDA-MB231 and MCF-7 cells compared to HMEpiC cells were observed in the presence of 0.1 mg/mL, 0.5 mg/mL, 2.5 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL T33 at 24 h (Fig. 1a)
Summary
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Breast cancer is among the top five most frequently diagnosed cancers globally and the most threatening health problem for women in terms of both incidence and mortality in most countries [1, 2]. Mounting evidence reveals that breast cancer is an important lifethreatening malignancy for women in most Asian countries, and its incidence more rapidly is increasing in Asian countries than in Western countries [3, 4]. The use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat cancer has been recorded in Chinese medical texts and publications for more than two millennia [8,9,10]. The use of TCM in Western countries is increasing, ranging from 9
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