Antibreast cancer activity and mechanism study on appropriate components from Prunella vulgaris / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study antibreast cancer activity and the mechanism of appropriate components of polysaccharides (P), triterpenes (T), the essential oil (V), and different compatibilities (PT, PV, TV, and PTV) of Prunella vulgaris in vivo. Methods: 4T1 breast cancer model was established to evaluate anti-breast cancer activity. The appropriate components of P. vulgaris were screened. The tumor volume and the shaded areas in breast cancer mice were detected by living small animal Micro-CT scan. The structural changes of each organ were detected by HE staining. TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptotic rate of tumor. The expression of PCNA, CD-31, and E-cadherin were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Serum estradiol was detected by Elisa kit. Results: T and PTV had significant anti-breast cancer activity. There were inflammatory cells infiltration, degeneration and necrosis, tumor cell apoptosis in the T and PTV groups. T and PTV could inhibit cell proliferation by reducing the estradiol level and downregulating the overexpression of PCNA proteins. T and PTV could also reduce tumor angiogenesis by downregulating the protein expression of CD-31. T and PTV also inhibited the metastatic process by upregulating the protein expression of E-cadherin. Conclusion: T and PTV showed significant anti-breast cancer activities, suggesting that T and PTV can be a potential drug for breast cancer.