Kanglaite sensitizes colorectal cancer cells to Taxol via NF-κΒ inhibition and connexin 43 upregulation

Sci Rep. 2017 Apr 28;7(1):1280. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-01480-2.

Abstract

Taxol, a first-line anti-tumour drug, has low effectiveness against colorectal cancer. Combination with other agents is an effective strategy to enhance Taxol cytotoxicity. Kanglaite injection is an extract from Coix lacryma-jobi seed and is usually combined with other agents to treat cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment effect of Taxol combined with Kanglaite on colorectal cancer cell lines. Kanglaite pretreatment followed by Taxol treatment was found to show the best synergism among all combination strategies. This combination also resulted in the smallest tumour volume in a Balb/c mice model. Kanglaite inhibited the expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κΒ and upregulated that of connexin 43, both of which sensitized cancer cells to Taxol. Moreover, Kanglaite increased many cellular variations caused by Taxol, including tubulin polymerization, caspase-3 cleavage, and upregulated expression of survivin and cyclin B1. These results suggest that Kanglaite pretreatment may increase the effect of Taxol on colorectal cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Connexin 43 / biosynthesis*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Synergism*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / administration & dosage
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Paclitaxel / pharmacology*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Connexin 43
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • NF-kappa B
  • Paclitaxel
  • kang-lai-te