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The Shuganhuazheng Formula in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Study Based on Network Pharmacology and In Vivo
1Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin 130117, China.
Abstract:
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Among breast cancer subtypes, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the highest degree of malignancy and the worst prognosis. The Shuganhuazheng formula (SGHZF) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula for the treatment of TNBC, but the mechanism of SGHZF in the treatment of TNBC remains unclear. In this study, the therapeutic effect and mechanism of SGHZF against TNBC were preliminarily determined based on in vivo experimental verification and network pharmacology. In terms of therapeutic effects, the antitumour effect was verified by measuring and calculating tumour volume, and the expression of proto-oncogene c-Myc was verified by PCR. In terms of the mechanism, potential therapeutic targets were identified by overlapping the SGHZF-related and TNBC-related targets. After comprehensively analysing the results of the protein-protein interaction (PPI), gene ontology (GO) function, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses, Akt and HIF-1α were selected for verification by using immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses. The results of the study indicated that SGHZF can inhibit breast tumour growth in mice and that the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of Akt and HIF-1α expression.
Insights
The Shuganhuazheng formula (SGHZF) effectively inhibits triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) growth in mice. Its mechanism involves reducing Akt and HIF-1α expression, offering a potential new treatment for this aggressive cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
Background:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with poor prognosis.
- The Shuganhuazheng formula (SGHZF), a traditional Chinese herbal remedy, is used for TNBC, but its mechanism is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic effects of SGHZF on TNBC.
- To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of SGHZF in treating TNBC.
Main Methods:
- In vivo experiments in mice to assess anti-tumor effects (tumor volume, c-Myc expression via PCR).
- Network pharmacology to identify therapeutic targets by overlapping SGHZF and TNBC-related targets.
- Protein-protein interaction (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses.
- Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses to verify Akt and HIF-1α expression.
Main Results:
- SGHZF demonstrated significant inhibition of breast tumor growth in a mouse model.
- The study identified Akt and HIF-1α as key targets potentially modulated by SGHZF.
- PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analyses confirmed the inhibition of c-Myc, Akt, and HIF-1α expression.
Conclusions:
- SGHZF exhibits anti-tumor activity against TNBC in vivo.
- The therapeutic mechanism of SGHZF in TNBC may involve the downregulation of Akt and HIF-1α signaling pathways.
