Metabolomics unveils the mechanism of Bufei Huayu decoction in combination with cisplatin against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Abstract

IntroductionBufei Huayu Decoction (BFHY) is a clinical prescription with reported efficacy in enhancing the therapeutic outcomes of chemotherapeutic agents for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the underlying metabolic mechanism of BFHY's action remains unexplored. ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to investigate the global metabolic effects of cisplatin and cisplatin plus BFHY on NSCLC. MethodsThree groups (NSCLC, cisplatin, and cisplatin + BFHY) underwent a serum metabolomics procedure based on UHPLC-QE-MS. Then, a pathway analysis was carried out using MetaboAnalyst 3.0 to elucidate the therapeutic action routes of cisplatin and cisplatin plus BFHY in NSCLC. ResultsIn the subcutaneous NSCLC model, both cisplatin and cisplatin + BFHY reduced the tumor volume and caused cell death. In comparison to cisplatin alone, cisplatin + BFHY showed a stronger tumor-suppressing impact. Furthermore, the same 16 metabolic signaling pathways were shared by the cisplatin and cisplatin + BFHY treatments. These typical metabolites are mainly involved in amino acid metabolism, lipid mobilization, nucleic acid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolites. ConclusionsPotential biomarkers and metabolic networks of cisplatin and cisplatin + BFHY's anti-tumor actions are revealed in our investigation.