Huaier aqueous extract inhibits colorectal cancer stem cell growth partially via downregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway | Zendy

Tao Zhang | Zendy; Ke Wang | Zendy; Junshu Zhang | Zendy; Xiaolei Wang | Zendy; Zhigang Chen | Zendy; Chao Ni | Zendy; Fuming Qiu | Zendy; Jian Huang | Zendy

Open Access

Huaier aqueous extract inhibits colorectal cancer stem cell growth partially via downregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Author(s) -

Tao Zhang,

Ke Wang,

Junshu Zhang,

Xiaolei Wang,

Zhigang Chen,

Chao Ni,

Fuming Qiu,

Jian Huang

Publication year - 2013

Publication title -

oncology letters

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 0.766

H-Index - 54

eISSN - 1792-1082

pISSN - 1792-1074

DOI - 10.3892/ol.2013.1145

Subject(s) - wnt signaling pathway , oncogene , catenin , cell cycle , downregulation and upregulation , molecular medicine , colorectal cancer , cancer research , cancer , cell growth , apoptosis , stem cell , cell , chemistry , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , signal transduction , biochemistry , gene

The existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is central to the pathogenesis and therapy resistance of colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Huaier aqueous extract, a Chinese medicine, has efficacy against CSCs and to investigate the mechanisms of its anticancer effects. It was observed that the Huaier extract significantly inhibited the spheroid formation potential (P<0.05) and decreased the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)-positive cell population in colorectal primary cancer cells (P<0.05). Western blotting analysis and Wnt/β-catenin reporter assays revealed that the Huaier extract downregulated the Wnt/β-catenin self-renewal pathway. This is the first study to demonstrate that Huaier aqueous extract acts as an effective agent for eradicating colorectal CSCs and identifies the Wnt/β-catenin pathway as its potential target, which may be a new approach for colorectal cancer therapy.

The content you want is available to Zendy users.

Already have an account? Click here to sign in.

Having issues? You can contact us here

Accelerating Research