Experimental Study on Anti-tumor Prescription Screening and Therapeutic Effects of Shengma Combined with Zao Jiao-ci / 中国中医药信息杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To screen the anti-tumor prescription (Shengzao Fang) of Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae) combined with Zao Jiao-ci (Spina Gleditsiae), and evaluate its anti-tumor effects. Methods The lung metastatic model of 4T1 breast cancer and the 4T1 subcutaneous transplanted model were established, both models of mice were randomly divided into model group, Shengma group, Zao Jiao-ci group, Shengzao Fang first group, Shengzao Fang second group and Shengzao Fang third group, 10 mice for each group. The proportion of Shengzao Fang was ascertained by their anti-tumor effects. MTT assay was used to investigate the effects of Shengzao Fang on 4T1 breast cancer. The concentration of type 1 collagen (Col-Ⅰ), platelet-activating factor (PAF), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrkA) and tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) in serum from tumor-bearing mice was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effects of Shengzao Fang on matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) was examined by Gelatin matrix method. Results Compared with the model group, the prescription of Shengma∶Zao Jiao-Ci=2∶1 significantly suppressed lung metastasis of 4T1 breast cancer, showing fewer lung nodes, lower lung metastasis rate and highest tumor inhibitory rate to 4T1 subcutaneous transplanted model. Although the concentration of serum Col-Ⅰ, PAF, TIMP-1, TrkA and TrkB was decreased in all treated group, the prescription of Shengma∶Zao Jiao-ci=2∶1 had the strongest activity, and its inhibitory effect on the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was strongest, too. Conclusion The prescriptions of Shengma combined with Zao Jiao-ci had different antitumor activity, the strongest activity was exhibited when shengma∶Zao Jiao-ci was 2∶1, suggesting that 2∶1 was optimization for Shengma combined with Zao Jiao-ci.