Mechanism of total Astragalus saponins regulating Wnt3a/β-catenin/EMT pathway to inhibit liver metastasis of colon cancer
Objective:To observe the inhibitory effect of total Astragalus saponins(TAS)on liver metastasis of colon cancer in mice,and to explore the mechanism by which TAS regulate the Wnt3a/β-catenin/EMT pathway to exert this inhibitory effect.Methods:CT26.WT cells were used to construct a orthotopic transplantation mice model of colon cancer.A total of 50 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,positive control group,total astragalus saponins low-dose group(50 mg·kg-1·d-1),and total astragalus saponins high-dose group(100 mg·kg-1·d-1),with 10 mice in each group.Liver tissue were taken to observe liver metastasis of colon cancer.HE stain was used for histopathological morphology observation,Western Blot was used to measure the expression levels of Wnt3a/β-catenin/EMT related proteins,and immunofluorescence staining was used to assess the expression of β-catenin protein.Results:Obvious metastatic nodules appeared in the livers of mice in the model group,and pathological changes were more obvious,especially more tumor cell infiltration.Compared with the model group,the total astragalus saponins high-dose group and the positive control group showed a significant reduction in the number of liver metastases,a significant improvement in liver pathology,a significant reduction in tumor cell infiltration.Additionally,the protein expression of Wnt3a,β-catenin,N-cadherin,and Vimentin in liver tissue was significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the expression of GSK3 β and E-cadherin protein was significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:TAS may inhibit liver metastasis in colon cancer orthotopic transplantation mice models by regulating the Wnt3a/β-catenin/EMT signaling pathway in liver tissue.
Total Astragalus saponinsColon canceLiver metastasisWnt3a/β-cateninEpithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)