Jiedu Xiaozheng Yin extract targets cancer stem cells by Wnt signaling pathway in colorectal cancer.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The clinical application of the traditional Chinese medicinal formula Jiedu Xiaozheng Yin (JXY) for gastrointestinal tumors, particularly colorectal cancer (CRC), is well-established, yet the precise biological mechanism underlying its efficacy in CRC treatment remains elusive.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

This study endeavors to unravel the intricate mechanism through which JXY modulates colorectal cancer stem cells, thus elucidating the pathways by which it exerts its potent anti-tumor effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, the regulatory impact of JXY on the signaling pathway and function of CRC cells was analyzed through Network pharmacology. The ethyl acetate extract of JXY was detected the major compounds using HPLC and then treated the HCT-116 cells for RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq). Protein expression and stemness of HCT-15 and HCT-116 cells following JXY extract treatment were assessed using Western blot analysis and matrigel spheroid assays. Additionally, the β-catenin transcriptional activity was evaluated using a TOPflash reporter assay with or without Lithium chloride (LiCl) stimulation. Patient-derived organoids of CRC (CRC PDOs) were cultured using a stemness maintenance medium, and their viability was measured using ATP assays after treatment of JXY extract. Furthermore, the anti-tumor efficacy of JXY extract was assessed using a xenograft mice model derived from HCT-15 cells.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology emphasized the influence of JXY on cancer stem cells and the Wnt signaling pathway. HPLC analysis confirmed that the JXY extract contained the three most prevalent pharmaceutical compounds among the four herbs documented in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (rosmarinic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol). RNA-Seq results further elucidated the effect of JXY extract, particularly targeting cancer stem cells and the Wnt signaling pathway. Furthermore, JXY extract inhibited spheroid formation in CRC cells and downregulated CRC CSC markers (CD133, DCLK1, and C-MYC). Additionally, JXY extract suppressed the β-catenin expression and transcriptional activity as well as the Wnt pathway target proteins, including C-MYC and Cyclin D1. Consistent with findings from cell lines, JXY extract suppressed the growth of CRC PDOs exhibiting stemness characteristics. And JXY extract demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect on tumor growth, C-MYC, and β-catenin protein levels in xenograft tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

These results highlight the novel function of JXY extract in targeting CRC CSCs by regulating Wnt signaling pathway, underscoring its potential as a therapeutic agent for treating CRC.