Exploring the effects of Lagopsis supine ethanol extract (Ls) on colorectal cancer

Chinese researchers studied the tumor inhibitory activity of Lagopsis supine ethanol extract (Ls) on colorectal cancer. They reported their findings in an article published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

• Using four gradient concentrations of Ls, the researchers studied its ability to inhibit colorectal cancer cell growth by MTT method and took note of changes 24, 48 and 72 hours after treatment.
• They used Western blot and semi-quantitative RT-PCR to determine the protein expression levels of pSTAT3, pJAK2, STAT3, JAK2, Bcl-2 and caspase 3, and the mRNA levels of genes downstream of STAT3, respectively.
• For their in vivo analysis, the researchers transplanted HCT116 colorectal cancer cells into 60 nude mice, which they divided into five groups: the model group, the positive group (capecitabine 300?mg/kg) and the three Ls groups that received 75, 150 and 300?mg/kg of Ls, respectively.
• Anti-tumor effects were evaluated by measuring tumor size and weight, while histopathological changes and pSTAT3 and pJAK2 levels in tumor tissues were determined by H & E staining and immunohistochemical analysis.
• The researchers reported that Ls significantly inhibited the growth of HCT116 and SW480 cells in vitro.
• It also decreased pSTAT3, pJAK2 and Bcl-2 protein levels and Bcl-2 and Bak mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner.
• On the other hand, caspase 3 protein levels and Bax and caspase-3 mRNA levels remarkably increased with Ls treatment.
• In vivo, the researchers found that Ls inhibited the growth of tumors without inducing significant body weight changes in the mice.
• Histopathological analysis also revealed that Ls significantly reduced the number of inflammatory cells in tumor tissues.
• In addition, Ls significantly down-regulated the protein levels of pSTAT3 and pJAK2 in tumor tissues.

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that Ls exerts its anti-cancer effect on colorectal cancer cells by inhibiting cell proliferation and reducing tumor growth via regulation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

Read the full study at this link.

Journal Reference:

Wei L, Wang Z, Xia Y, Liu B. THE MECHANISM AND TUMOR INHIBITORY STUDY OF LAGOPSIS SUPINE ETHANOL EXTRACT ON COLORECTAL CANCER IN NUDE MICE. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 12 July 2019;19(1). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2585-6