An Initial Study Of Huangqi Fuzheng Decoction On The Anti-tumor And Immunomodulatory Effects

Objective:To study Huangqi Fuzheng Decoction(HFD) and HFD combined with Cisplatin(DDP) on the anti-tumor and immunomodulatory effects by a model of Lewis lung cancer tumor-bearing mice, and then to explore the possible mechanism and provide the experimental basis to tumor therapy with HFD.Methods:Lewis lung cancer bearing mice were established and then randomly assigned to one of the following five groups (n=7,each group):normal control group, model group, Huangqi Fuzheng Decoction(HFD) treatment group,Cisplatin(DDP) group, HFD combined with DDP group. Different treatment were respectively given at the 7th day after injection subcutaneously:DDP group was treated with DDP 2mg/kg intraperitoneally every three day for 5 times; HFD group was treated with HFD 10ml/kg orally once daily for 14 days; HFD plus DDP group was adopted the same administration of HFD and DDP; Model control group was treated with the same amount of normal sodium orally and/or intraperitoneally. The healthy condition and body weight of mice were observed and recorded. The long diameter and short diameter of the tumor were measured every three days, then the volume was calculated and the growth curve was drawn. The blood samples were taken and the mice were sacrificed on the 15th day. The neoplasms and spleens were cut down and weighed, and then the parameters of tumor inhibition rate, the inhibitory rate of metastasis on lung surface, the spleen index, the counting of peripheral white blood cells and bone marrow karyocytes were calculated. T lymphocyte proliferation in spleen was detected by MTT assay. The levels of IL-2 and IFN-γin serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effects of Huangqi Fuzheng Decoction on the Immunomodulatory and tumor therapy basing on the tumor bearing mice were evaluated.In addition, the probable mechanisms were analyzed.Results:1. The effect on the general state of the mice:The mice in model group and DDP group ate small amount of food and had tarnished fur, and they were in low spirit and sluggish in action. The general state of mice in HFD group and DDP plus HFD group was better than that of mice in DDP group. The weight of all the groups was increased more or less, and the increased weight of mice in DDP group was significantly less than that of other groups (P<0.05).2. The effect on inhibiting tumor:the weight of the tumors in the model group was heavier than that of the HFD group (P<0.05); the weight of the tumors in DDP plus HFD group was lighter than that of other groups (P<0.05), at the same time, the tumor inhibition rate was the highest in all groups(P<0.05).The inhibition of tumor growth presented additive effect that was induced by HFD combined with DDP.3. The effect on lung metastatic foci:The metastatic foci on lung surface in HFD group were less than those of the model group (P<0.05), and no statistical difference was seen between the HFD group and the DDP group (P>0.05); The metastatic foci on lung surface in the DDP plus HFD group were less than those of other groups (P<0.05). The inhibitory rate of metastasis on lung surface was increased in combined group than that of DDP group and HFD group (P<0.05).4. The effects on the counting of peripheral white blood cells and bone marrow karyocytes in the mice:Compared to those of the model group, the counting of peripheral white blood cells and bone marrow karyocytes in DDP group were decreased (P<0.05), the HFD group and the normal group were increased (P<0.05), and statistical analysis showed no difference between the model group and the DDP plus HFD group (P>0.05).5. The effect on spleen index:The spleen index in model group was less than that of the normal control group (P<0.05); Compared to that of the model group, the DDP group had a lower spleen index (P<0.05), while higher spleen index was seen in the DDP plus HFD group and the HFD group.6. The effect on the proliferation of T-lymphocytes:Compare to that of the normal control group, the model group and the DDP group showed much lower activation effects on the T-lymphocye proliferation (P<0.05), the HFD group did not show significant decrease in the cell proliferation (P>0.05); Compare to that of the DDP group, the DDP plus HFD group had a higher proliferation (P<0.05).7. The effects on serum IL-2 and IFN-γ:Compared to those of the normal control group, the model group had lower levels of serum IL-2 and IFN-γ(P<0.05).Compared to those of the model group, the DDP group had lower levels of serum IL-2 and IFN-γ(P<0.05),the DDP plus HFD group and HFD group had higher levels of serum IL-2 and IFN-γ(P<0.05).Conclusions:1. Huangqi Fuzheng Decoction could inhibit the growth and metastasis of the tumor on on Lewis lung cancer bearing mice.2. Huangqi Fuzheng Decoction could reduce the side effect of chemotherapy in the mice and increase its efficacy.3. Huangqi Fuzheng Decoction could increase the proliferation of T-lymphocytes in spleen of mice and up-regulated the levels of serum IL-2 and IFN-γ, thus improves the immunity.This may play a role in anti-tumor effect.