Schisandrin B Suppresses Invasion And Metastasis Of Breast Cancer In Vivo And In Vitro By Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Inhibition

Cancer metastasis is a complex process. It includes local invasion, intravasation, extravasation, etc. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) takes a major part in this process. EMT is a biologic process that allows a polarized epithelial cell, which normally interacts with basement membrane via its basal surface, to undergo multiple biochemical changes that enable it to assume a mesenchymal cell phenotype, which includes enhanced migratory capacity, invasiveness, elevated resistance to apoptosis, and greatly increased production of ECM components. In breast cancer metastasis, EMT is an essential step.Nowadays, most of the anticancer drugs are based on the toxic to cancer cells. These drugs kill cancer cells while kill normal cells too. It raises a lot of side effect towards patients.In this research, we established a tumor metastasis model in BALB/c mice inoculated with mouse4T1breast cancer cells. We found that Schisandrin B can decrease the numbers of metastatic nodules in lung, extend the lifespan of the mouse. We also cut off the tumors using surgery methods at a different time, and then we found that all mouse benefit from Schisandrin B and extended their lifespan. Schisandrin B can decrease the invasion ability of4T1cell line, and keep the epithelial form of the cell. Immunohistochemical method shows that Schisandrin B inhibited the EMT process in vivo.Another founding is that Schisandrin B inhibits the EMT process of4T1cell line, induced by TGF-P signaling.Western blot and immunofluorescence confirmed this phenomenon.As Schisandrin B is extremely low toxic to tumor cells and normal cells. It is a unique molecular that inhibit the metastasis process while not by killing cells.This small inartificial molecular may become a good drug towards cancer metastasis in the near future.