Anticancer activity and mechanisms of action of Taisui fermentation broth in human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells in vitro and in vivo

Taisui, an unclassified biological object, is considered as a functional food with rich medicinal value in ancient Chinese books. However, there are few studies on Taisui, particularly on its anticancer activity and underlying mechanisms. Herein, we evaluated the anticancer potential of Taisui fermentation broth using HCT116 cells and nude mice xenografts in vitro and in vivo. Taisui fermentation broth inhibited HCT116 cells proliferation by inducing S-phase arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy, by regulating related proteins. Taisui fermentation brothinduced HCT116 cells death was reversed by inhibiting apoptosis and autophagy. Autophagy inhibition suppressed Taisui fermentation broth-induced apoptosis, whereas apoptosis inhibition attenuated Taisui fermentation broth-induced autophagy. Taisui fermentation broth induced apoptosis and autophagy by regulating reactive oxygen species-mediated c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase/p38 signaling in HCT116 cells. Additionally, Taisui fermentation broth inhibited tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model. Taisui fermentation broth may be a promising anticancer agent for the treatment of colorectal cancer.