Impacts of Fuzhengxiaoyan decoction on immune functions in nude mice bearing EMT-6 breast cancer

摘要

Objective: The aim of this study was to observe the impacts of Fuzhengxiaoyan decoction (FZXY) on the immune functions in nude mice bearing EMT-6 breast cancer (EMT-6-carryring mice). Materials and Methods: The successfully prepared EMT-6 breast cancer-bearing nude mice models were randomly divided into three groups (n=20): the treatment group: orally administrated FZXY, the control group: orally administrated the Shcnmai injection, and the model group: orally administrated an equal volume of normal saline, twice a day for consecutive 14 days. Results: The mice in each group were then sacrificed and their spleen and thymus indexes were compared: ELISA was performed to detect the content changes of TGF-β and IL-6 in the spleens. FZXY could significantly increase the spleen and thymus indexes in these EMT-6-earrying mice when compared with the model group (p < 0.05): meanwhile, the contents of IL-6 and TGF-β in the spleens of the FZXY group were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), similar to those in the positive control group (Shenmai injection). Conclusion: FZXY could improve the immune functions of EMT-6- bearing mice, which was the mechanism of this prescription towards inhibiting breast cancer.