Wumeiwan Promotes M1 Polarization of Tumor-associated Macrophages to Treat Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20250725
- VernacularTitle:乌梅丸通过促进肿瘤相关巨噬细胞M1极化抗转移性结直肠癌的机制
- Author:
Nianzhi CHEN
1
;
Shiyun TANG
2
;
Yuanyuan FENG
1
;
Yan WANG
1
;
Ningning LIU
1
Author Information
1. Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine（TCM），Shanghai 201203，China
2. Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM，Chengdu 610075，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Wumeiwan;
colorectal cancer;
liver metastasis;
lung metastasis;
macrophage
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(1):92-100
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Wumeiwan on liver metastasis and lung metastasis of colorectal cancer and its potential mechanism. MethodsFirstly， mice were randomized into control， low-dose （20 g·kg-1） Wumeiwan， high-dose （40 g·kg-1） Wumeiwan， and paclitaxel （10 mg·kg-1） groups. Secondly， liver metastasis and lung metastasis models of colorectal cancer were established in mice. After 4 weeks of intervention， the body weight of each mouse was recorded， and the lung weight， liver weight， and survival time of mice with metastatic colorectal cancer were determined. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was employed to detect the effects of Wumeiwan on liver metastasis and lung metastasis. Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of M1 and M2 macrophage markers in the liver tissue. Finally， the content of M1 macrophage markers CD80 and CD86 in the liver tissue was measured by flow cytometry. ResultsCompared with the control group， Wumeiwan and paclitaxel reduced the body weight （P<0.01） and liver weight （P<0.01） and prolonged the survival of the mouse model of liver metastasis of colorectal cancer （P<0.01）. In the mouse model of lung metastasis of colorectal cancer， Wumeiwan and paclitaxel also reduced the body weight （P<0.01） and lung weight （P<0.01） and extended the survival time （P<0.01）. Histopathological results showed that compared with the control group， Wumeiwan inhibited the liver and lung metastases of colorectal cancer. Real-time PCR results showed that compared with the control group， Wumeiwan upregulated the mRNA levels of M1 macrophage markers IL-1β， IL-6， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 （PTGS2） in the liver and lung tissue of mice with liver metastasis and lung metastasis of colorectal cancer （P<0.01）. Meanwhile， Wumeiwan downregulated the mRNA levels of M2 macrophage markers Arg1， CD163， and CD206 （P<0.01）. Meanwhile， the flow cytometry results showed that compared with the control group， Wumeiwan increased the content of CD86 and CD80 （P<0.01）. In addition， immunohistochemical results showed that Wumeiwan promoted the expression of CD86 and inhibited the expression of CD206 in the liver and lung tissue of mice with liver metastasis and lung metastasis. ConclusionWumeiwan can inhibit the liver metastasis and lung metastasis of colorectal cancer by promoting the M1 polarization of macrophages in the liver and lung of the model mice.
