Huqi formula suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma growth by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and promoting T cell infiltration

被引：0

作者：

Yin, Donghao ^{[1
]}

Li, Xiang ^{[2
]}

Yang, Xuemeng ^{[1
,2
]}

Shang, Xiaofei ^{[3
]}

Li, Zhen ^{[2
,4
]}

Geng, Jiahao ^{[2
]}

Xu, Yanyu ^{[2
]}

Xu, Zijing ^{[2
]}

Wang, Zixuan ^{[2
]}

Shang, Zimeng ^{[5
]}

Yang, Zhiyun ^{[5
]}

Hu, Linlan ^{[2
]}

Li, Quanwei ^{[1
]}

Wang, Jiabo ^{[2
]}

Song, Xinhua ^{[2
]}

Li, Xiuhui ^{[1
]}

Wang, Xiaojun ^{[1
]}

机构：

[1] Capital Med Univ, Beijing Youan Hosp, Beijing 100069, Peoples R China

[2] Capital Med Univ, Sch Tradit Chinese Med, Dept Nat Med, Lab Clin Med, Beijing 100069, Peoples R China

[3] Chinese Acad Agr Sci, Lanzhou Inst Husb & Pharmaceut Sci, Key Lab New Anim Drug Project Gansu Prov, Key Lab Vet Pharmaceut Dev,Minist Agr, Lanzhou 730050, Peoples R China

[4] Cao Xian Peoples Hosp, Heze 274400, Shandong, Peoples R China

[5] Capital Med Univ, Beijing Ditan Hosp, Ctr Integrat Med, Lab Clin Med, 8 Jingshun East St, Beijing 100015, Peoples R China

来源：

CHINESE MEDICINE | 2025年 / 20卷 / 01期

关键词：

Hepatocellular carcinoma; Huqi formula; Apoptosis; T cells; Immunotherapy; INJURY;

D O I：

10.1186/s13020-025-01061-w

中图分类号：

R [医药、卫生];

学科分类号：

10 ;

摘要：

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses ongoing difficulties for public health systems due to its high incidence and poor prognosis. Huqi formula (HQF), a well-known prescription in traditional Chinese medicine, has demonstrated notable clinical effectiveness in the treatment of HCC. However, the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects have yet to be completely elucidated.PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the anti-HCC effects of HQF and its underlying mechanisms.MethodsChemical profiling and quantification of HQF were conducted by LC-MS and HPLC. Orthotopic and subcutaneous tumor models were established through hydrodynamic injection of Akt/Nras plasmids and subcutaneous injection of c-Met/sgPten cells, respectively, to evaluate the therapeutic effects of HQF on HCC. Network pharmacology, RNA-Seq, molecular docking, Western blot, and flow cytometry were employed to assess the anti-HCC mechanisms.ResultsLC-MS analysis identified 41 components, with HPLC quantification showing salvianolic acid B as the most abundant compound (0.303%). In Akt/Nras and c-Met/sgPten-induced HCC models, HQF significantly reduced tissue damage, improved liver function, and inhibited HCC progression. Mechanistic studies revealed that HQF induced apoptosis in HCC cells by downregulating p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR expression, with molecular docking indicating the strongest binding affinity between salvianolic acid B and PI3K. HQF further enhanced CD4+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration within the tumor microenvironment. When combined with PD-1 therapy, HQF improved therapeutic efficacy against HCC. Finally, toxicity assays confirmed the safety profile of HQF.ConclusionHQF demonstrated significant anti-HCC effects and a synergistic effect with PD-1, could be used as an alternative therapeutic agent for HCC.

引用

页数：28

共 53 条

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