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Updated: May 31, 2026
Preparation of Naringenin Solution for In Vivo Application
Published on: August 10, 2021
Naringenin reduces lung metastasis in a breast cancer resection model
Lei Qin1, Lingtao Jin, Linlin Lu
1Protein & Peptide Pharmaceutical Laboratory, National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
Metastasis is the main cause of death in cancer patients. To improve the outcomes of patients undergoing a surgery, new adjuvant therapies that can effectively inhibit metastases have to be developed. Studies have shown that flavonoid naringenin, a natural product that is mainly present in grapes and citrus, may contribute to cancer prevention. It has many advantages compared to traditional chemotherapeutic drugs, such as low toxicity. To determine whether naringenin can also inhibit metastases, a breast cancer resection model that mimics clinical situations was established. We found that orally administered naringenin significantly decreased the number of metastatic tumor cells in the lung and extended the life span of tumor resected mice. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that T cells displayed enhanced antitumor activity in naringenin treated mice, with an increased proportion of IFN-γ and IL-2 expressing T cells. In vitro studies further demonstrated that relief of immunosuppression caused by regulatory T cells might be the fundamental mechanism of metastasis inhibition by naringenin. These results indicate that orally administered naringenin can inhibit the outgrowth of metastases after surgery via regulating host immunity. Thus, naringenin can be an ideal surgical adjuvant therapy for breast cancer patients.
Insights
Naringenin, a natural flavonoid, can inhibit breast cancer metastasis after surgery by boosting the immune system. This natural compound shows potential as a safe, adjuvant therapy to improve patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Metastasis is the primary cause of cancer-related mortality.
- Adjuvant therapies are crucial for improving outcomes in patients undergoing cancer surgery.
- Naringenin, a flavonoid found in citrus and grapes, exhibits potential anticancer properties with low toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of naringenin as an adjuvant therapy to inhibit post-surgical breast cancer metastasis.
- To elucidate the immunological mechanisms underlying naringenin's anti-metastatic effects.
Main Methods:
- A breast cancer resection model in mice was utilized to simulate clinical post-surgical conditions.
- Naringenin was administered orally, and its effects on metastatic tumor cell counts and survival were assessed.
- Flow cytometry was employed to analyze T cell activity, including the expression of IFN-γ and IL-2.
- In vitro studies were conducted to explore the impact of naringenin on regulatory T cells and immunosuppression.
Main Results:
- Oral administration of naringenin significantly reduced lung metastasis and increased survival in tumor-resected mice.
- Naringenin treatment enhanced antitumor T cell activity, evidenced by increased proportions of IFN-γ and IL-2 producing T cells.
- In vitro findings suggested that naringenin inhibits metastasis by alleviating immunosuppression mediated by regulatory T cells.
Conclusions:
- Naringenin effectively inhibits post-surgical breast cancer metastasis by modulating host immunity.
- The mechanism involves enhancing T cell-mediated antitumor responses and reducing immunosuppression.
- Naringenin presents a promising, low-toxicity adjuvant therapy for breast cancer patients undergoing surgery.
