ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Chaihu Guizhitang on
triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)
cells based on
hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/
vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) signaling pathway. MethodTNBC
xenograft model was established and the
cells were randomized into model group,
capecitabine group (0.2 mg·kg-1), Chaihu Guizhitang low-
dose group, medium-
dose group, and high-
dose group (10.62, 21.23, 42.46 g·kg-1), with 10
mice in each group. After 21 days of medication, the content of
tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in
serum was detected by
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (
ELISA). The expression of HIF-1α
mRNA was detected by real-
time fluorogenic quantitative
polymerase chain reaction (
real-time PCR).
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to detect the expression of HIF-1α, TNF-α, and VEGFA in
tumor tissues, and CD34
staining to examine the
angiogenesis in
tumor tissues.
Microvessel density (MVD) was calculated, and the
protein expression of HIF-1α, VEGFA, and
epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in
tumor tissues was measured by
Western blot. ResultCompared with the model group, the
rest four groups showed low levels of TNF-α (P<0.01), HIF-1α
mRNA (P<0.01), expression of HIF-1α, TNF-α, VEGFA, and CD34 in
cells, and MVD (P<0.05, P<0.01), and low
protein levels of HIF-1α, VEGFA, and EGFR (P<0.01). Compared with
capecitabine group, medium-
dose and high-
dose Chaihu Guizhitang decreased the level of TNF-α (P<0.01), HIF-1α
mRNA (P<0.01), expression of HIF-1α, TNF-α, and VEGFA in
cells (P<0.01), CD34 expression, MVD, and
protein levels of HIF-1α, VEGFA, and EGFR (P<0.01). ConclusionChaihu Guizhitang may inhibit the
angiogenesis in TNBC
cells by regulating the expression of HIF-1α/VEGFA signaling pathway, thus exerting anti-
tumor effect.