Discussion on the mechanism of improving the immune microenvironment of CAC mice by inhaling the essential oil of Zanthoxyli Pericarpium based on STAT3 signaling pathway
Objective:To explore the effect and mechanism of inhaling the essential oil of Zanthoxyli Pericarpium(ZPEO)on the immune microenvironment of colitis-associated colorectal cancer(CAC)mice.Methods:A total of 70 mice were randomly divided into blank group(n=10),model group(n=20),solvent group(n=20),and ZPEO group(n=20).Except for blank group,the CAC model was induced with azoxymethane(AOM)/dextran sodium sulphate(DSS)in all groups.Administration was started on day 7 with 2%Tween-80 nebulized in the solvent group and 5%ZPEO nebulized in the ZPEO group.It was given once every other day for 15 min/time until 14 weeks.Changes in body mass were monitored;colonic index,splenic index and tumor load were calculated;histopathology of colon and spleen was detected using HE staining;cell proliferation and apoptosis in colon tissue were measured by Ki67 immunohistochemistry and TUNEL immunofluorescence staining;the infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages and the expression of STAT3 and p-STAT3 were determined by immunohistochemistry.Results:Compared with the model group,decreased body mass and spleen index of mice in ZPEO group improved(P<0.05),colon tumor load decreased(P<0.05);inflammatory infiltration and tumor hyperplasia in the colonic mucosa alleviated,extramedullary haemopoiesis in the spleen reduced;proliferation rate of colonic tumor decreased(P<0.05),apoptosis rate increased(P<0.01),the density of neutrophils and macrophages reduced(P<0.05),and histochemical score of p-STAT3 decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Atomized inhalation of the essential oil of Zanthoxyli Pericarpium can reduce the formation of colon tumors and the infiltration of immune inflammatory cells to delay the progression of CAC,and its mechanism might be related to its regulation of STAT3 signaling pathway and the remodeling of a positive immune microenvironment.