Fuling Granule, a Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound, Suppresses Cell Proliferation and TGFβ-Induced EMT in Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

The compound fuling granule (CFG) is a traditional Chinese drug which has been used to treat ovarian cancer in China for over twenty years. Nevertheless, the underlying molecular mechanism of its anti-cancer effect remains unclear. In this study, microarray data analysis was performed to search differentially expressed genes in CFG-treated ovarian cancer cells. Several cell cycle and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related genes were identified. The microarray analyses also revealed that CFG potentially regulates EMT in ovarian cancer. We also found that, functionally, CFG significantly suppresses ovarian cancer cell proliferation by cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and senescence and the AKT/GSK-3β pathway is possibly involved. Additionally, the invasion and migration ability of ovarian cancer induced by TGFβ is significantly suppressed by CFG. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that CFG suppresses ovarian cancer cell proliferation as well as TGFβ1-induced EMT in vitro. Finally, we discovered that CFG suppresses tumor growth and distant metastasis in vivo. Overall, these findings provide helpful clues to design novel clinical treatments against cancer.

Sinomenine restrains breast cancer cells proliferation, migration and invasion via modulation of miR-29/PDCD-4 axis

“…Increasing evidences have demonstrated that TCM treatment can effectively reduce postoperative complications of cancer, promote the recovery of postoperatively, and prevent recurrence and metastasis [7,8]. Additionally, the importance roles of TCM in cancer cells proliferation, metastasis and apoptosis have been extensively reported [9,10]. In breast cancer, Chen et al declared that Curcumin restrained breast cancer cells proliferation by mediation of Nrf2 and Fen1 expression [11].…”

PHD Finger Protein 19 Enhances the Resistance of Ovarian Cancer Cells to Compound Fuling Granule by Protecting Cell Growth, Invasion, Migration, and Stemness

“…The CFG was prepared as previously described (Tao et al, 2016). Briefly, four constituent herbs, Radix aconite Lateralis praeparata, Patrinia heterophylla, Poria cocos and Radix paeoniae rubra were combined in the ratio of 1:1:1:1, and extracted with 75% ethanol for (1:10, w/w) twice, 1 h each time (Tao et al, 2016).…”

“…Compound fuling granule (CFG) is a traditional Chinese medicinal preparation widely used in clinical practice for ovarian cancer in China. In clinical experience, CFG can promote blood circulation, enhance chemotherapy efficacy, suppress distant metastasis and improve life quality (Tao et al, 2016). In vitro experiments demonstrate that CFG can suppress ovarian cancer cell proliferation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) (Tao et al, 2016).…”

“…In clinical experience, CFG can promote blood circulation, enhance chemotherapy efficacy, suppress distant metastasis and improve life quality (Tao et al, 2016). In vitro experiments demonstrate that CFG can suppress ovarian cancer cell proliferation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) (Tao et al, 2016). Meanwhile, in vivo animal experiments also reveal that administration of CFG inhibits tumor growth and metastasis to lung (Tao et al, 2016).…”

“…In vitro experiments demonstrate that CFG can suppress ovarian cancer cell proliferation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) (Tao et al, 2016). Meanwhile, in vivo animal experiments also reveal that administration of CFG inhibits tumor growth and metastasis to lung (Tao et al, 2016). Moreover, CFG disrupts the mitochondrion-related energy metabolisms in ovarian cancer cells (Ruan et al, 2018).…”