Traditional Chinese Herbal Remedy Demonstrates Promise Against Colorectal Cancer
Recent research on Buzhong Yiqi Decoction unveils its potential to obstruct the progression of colon cancer through multiple biochemical pathways.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasingly prevalent globally, ranking third among cancers by incidence and mortality. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has designated CRC as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. An anticipated 147,950 new diagnoses and approximately 53,200 deaths were reported for the year 2020 alone. The shift toward Westernized diets and lifestyles has also led to rising CRC rates, particularly noted over the past several decades.
To combat this pressing health concern, researchers have turned to Buzhong Yiqi Decoction (BZYQD), a traditional Chinese medicine known for its cancer-fighting properties. This ancient herbal formulation has been part of Chinese medicine for over 700 years and traditionally includes ingredients such as Astragalus membranaceus, ginseng, and others.
Despite its historical use, the specific bioactive components and mechanisms through which BZYQD exerts its effects against CRC have remained inadequately explored. A recent study utilized high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to analyze the chemical composition of BZYQD, resulting in the identification of 26 distinct compounds.
Further investigation using network pharmacology revealed 75 target proteins linked to cancer progression and pathways such as PI3K-Akt, proteoglycans involved in cancer, and others, with AKT1 and PIK3CA highlighted as key targets for therapeutic intervention.
The researchers rigorously assessed the interactions between BZYQD's major components, including astragaloside IV, gancaonin A, quercetin, and licoisoflavanone, with these targets via molecular docking studies, demonstrating significant binding affinities indicative of potential therapeutic efficacy.
Notably, subsequent laboratory experiments conducted on HCT116 human colon cancer cells confirmed the anti-CRC effects of BZYQD through the modulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Treatments showed significant inhibition of cell proliferation and migration at varying concentrations of BZYQD.
BZYQD demonstrated an IC50 value of 329.7 µg/mL against HCT116 cells, with its individual active ingredients exhibiting varying potency, underscoring their collective synergistic effects. For example, the IC50 for astragaloside IV was found to be 101.9 ng/mL.
According to the findings, BZYQD's mechanism not only impedes direct CRC cell growth but also modulates the immune environment, promoting macrophage polarization within tumor-associated macrophages. This effect favors antitumor M1 macrophage characteristics, thereby enhancing inflammatory responses against cancerous cells.
The integrative application of network pharmacology and experimental validation sheds light on BZYQD's multifaceted approach to CRC treatment. The results suggest great promise for BZYQD as part of combined therapeutic strategies, especially considering the adverse effects often associated with conventional chemotherapy.
While these findings are promising, researchers caution the need for rigorous animal and clinical trials to fully ascertain the safety and effectiveness of BZYQD before widespread clinical adaptation. Ongoing studies are anticipated to explore this traditional herbal remedy's role alongside contemporary cancer treatments, potentially improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
Therefore, BZYQD presents itself as not merely a historical remedy but as a significant candidate for the future of cancer therapeutics, merging ancient wisdom with modern scientific inquiry.