Cryptotanshinone From Salvia miltiorrhiza Inhibits the Growth of Tumors and Enhances the Efficacy of Chemotherapy in a Gastric Cancer Mouse Model

Abstract

Cryptotanshinone is a quinone diterpene extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza root that shows obvious anticancer activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of action of cryptotanshinone as an antigastric cancer agent, as well as a chemotherapy potentiator. A gastric cancer model was established by tumor transplantation, and mice were treated with either 5-fluorouracil or cryptotanshinone, or both drugs. The tumor mass was recorded, and the tumor suppression rate was calculated. Pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, gene transcription was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and protein expression by Western blotting. The results showed that cryptotanshinone could reduce the tumor mass, increase the tumor suppression rate, and enhance the chemotherapeutic effect of 5-fluorouracil by a mechanism related to inhibition of the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway.

Cryptotanshinone, a Potential SIRT3 Inhibitor, Suppresses Colorectal Cancer Proliferation in vitro and in vivo

“…24 Additionally, CPT can prevent STAT3 phosphorylation at Tyr705, which in turn drives the apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells, as well as inhibiting gastric cancer cell growth. [25][26][27] Relevant studies have found that p-STAT3 levels are elevated in CRC, 28 while blocking STAT3 signaling significantly reduced CRC cell viability. 29 Subsequently, it was demonstrated that STAT3 enhances the aggressiveness of CRC cells by increasing the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-7, and MMP-9).…”