Exploring the Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of N-Butanol Extract from Trillium Tschonoskii on Liver Cancer in Rats Based on the STAT3/VEGF Signaling Pathway

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of Trillium tschonoskii Maxim N-butanol extract on diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced primary liver cancer in rats, explore its impact on the STAT3/VEGF signaling pathway, and study its molecular mechanisms against liver cancer angiogenesis. Methods Rats were randomly divided into five groups: G1 (normal control group), G2 (model group), G3 (silibinin group), G4 (Trillium tschonoskii Maxim low-dose group), and G5 (Trillium tschonoskii Maxim high-dose group). Except for the G1 group, all rats were intraperitoneally injected with DEN to establish a liver cancer rat model. Trillium tschonoskii Maxim N-butanol extract was used to treat liver cancer rats, and the liver index and spleen index of rats were measured. The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin (ALB), and total bilirubin (TBIL) were determined. ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Western blot was used to detect the levels of VEGF, kinase insert domain receptor (KDR), STAT3, and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) proteins. Results Compared with the G1 group, the levels of liver index, ALT, AST, and TBIL were significantly increased in the G2 group, while the level of ALB was significantly decreased. The levels of serum TGF-β1 and VEGF were significantly increased, and the protein levels of VEGF, KDR, STAT3, and p-STAT3 in liver tissues were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the liver index of rats in the Trillium tschonoskii Maxim N-butanol extract group was significantly decreased, and the levels of serum AST and TBIL were significantly decreased. The levels of serum TGF-β1 and VEGF were significantly decreased, and the protein levels of VEGF, KDR, STAT3, and p-STAT3 in liver tissues were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion Trillium tschonoskii Maxim N-butanol extract exerts anti-liver cancer angiogenesis effects by inhibiting the STAT3/VEGF signaling pathway.

Key words: trillium tschonoskii maxim n-butanol extract, liver cancer, STAT3, angiogenesis, VEGF, KDR

CLC Number:

R285.5

PENG Jin-xiang, XU Xin-hua, WU Guang-yang, YAO Hong-mei, WU Feng. Exploring the Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of N-Butanol Extract from Trillium Tschonoskii on Liver Cancer in Rats Based on the STAT3/VEGF Signaling Pathway[J]. ZHONGHUA YANGSHENG BAOJIAN, 2024, 42(12): 9-13.

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