Banxia-Xiexin Decoction Ameliorates Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer by Modulating Inflammatory Responses and the...

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Oncology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) lacks specific treatments.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) like Banxia-Xiexin decoction (BXD) is used for inflammatory conditions, but its role in CAC is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of BXD in a CAC mouse model.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying BXD's effects on CAC.

Main Methods:

• Induced a CAC mouse model using azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS).
• Administered BXD or sulfasalazine (positive control) and assessed therapeutic efficacy via disease index, histopathology, and cytokine levels.
• Utilized metabolomic and proteomic analyses to identify molecular targets and pathways, validated by qRT-PCR.

Main Results:

• BXD treatment significantly reduced CAC clinical symptoms, colonic inflammation, tumor number, and size.
• BXD markedly decreased inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IFN-γ).
• Metabolomics indicated modulation of amino acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism; proteomics revealed enrichment in complement and coagulation cascades, with key protein expressions reversed by BXD.

Conclusions:

• BXD demonstrates therapeutic potential for CAC by reducing inflammation and modulating glycerophospholipid metabolism.
• The complement and coagulation cascades are implicated in BXD's anti-CAC effects.
• BXD warrants further investigation for clinical application in treating CAC.