Abstract
BackgroundColorectal cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has played a positive role in colorectal cancer treatment. There is a great need to establish effective herbal formula for colorectal cancer treatment. Based on TCM principles and clinical practices, we have established an eight herbs composed formula for colorectal cancer treatment, which is Teng-Long-Bu-Zhong-Tang (TLBZT). We have demonstrated the anticancer effects of TLBZT against colorectal carcinoma in vitro. In present study, we evaluated the anticancer potential of TLBZT, used alone or in combination with low dose of 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu), in CT26 colon carcinoma in vivo.MethodsCT26 colon carcinoma was established in BALB/c mice and treated with TLBZT, 5-Fu, or TLBZT plus 5-Fu. The tumor volumes were observed. Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. Caspases activities were detected by colorimetric assay. Cell senescence was indentified by senescence β-galactosidase staining. Gene expression and angiogenesis was observed by immunohistochemistry or western blot.ResultsTLBZT significantly inhibited CT26 colon carcinoma growth. TLBZT elicited apoptosis in CT26 colon carcinoma, accompanied by Caspase-3, 8, and 9 activation and PARP cleavage, and downregulation of XIAP and Survivin. TLBZT also induced cell senescence in CT26 colon carcinoma, with concomitant upregulation of p16 and p21 and downregulation of RB phosphorylation. In addition, angiogenesis and VEGF expression in CT26 colon carcinoma was significantly inhibited by TLBZT treatment. Furthermore, TLBZT significantly enhanced anticancer effects of 5-Fu in CT26 colon carcinoma.ConclusionsTLBZT exhibited significantly anticancer effect, and enhanced the effects of 5-Fu in CT26 colon carcinoma, which may correlate with induction of apoptosis and cell senescence, and angiogenesis inhibition. The present study provides new insight into TCM approaches for colon cancer treatment that are worth of further study.
Highlights
Colorectal cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide
We have demonstrated TLBZT may inhibit proliferation, activate Caspases to induce apoptosis, upregulate p16 and p21 and downregulate RB phosphorylation to induce cell senescence in colon carcinoma cells in vitro [8,9]
We evaluated the anticancer effects of TLBZT, used alone and in combination with low dose of 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu), in CT26 colon carcinoma in vivo
Summary
Colorectal cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. There is a great need to establish effective herbal formula for colorectal cancer treatment. Based on TCM principles and clinical practices, we have established an eight herbs composed formula for colorectal cancer treatment, which is Teng-Long-Bu-Zhong-Tang (TLBZT). We have demonstrated the anticancer effects of TLBZT against colorectal carcinoma in vitro. The curative effect of these treatments are less than satisfactory, the 5-year overall survival after resection for colon cancer is about 60% [2], the 5-year survival for metastatic colorectal cancer is only approximately 10% [3]. Colorectal cancer remains the fourth leading cause of cancer death in men and the third in women worldwide [1]. Development of novel approach for colorectal cancer treatment is highly warranted
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