Synergistic anti-liver cancer effects of curcumin and total ginsenosides
Zhe Deng, Xiaoyan Xu, Fenny Yunita, Qing Zhou, Yongrong Wu, Yuxing Hu, Zhiqi Wang, Xue‐Fei Tian
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Liver cancer is the sixth most frequently occurring cancer in the world and the fourth most common cause of cancer mortality. The pathogenesis of liver cancer is closely associated with inflammation and immune response in the tumor microenvironment. New therapeutic agents for liver cancer, which can control inflammation and restore cellular immunity, are required. Curcumin (Cur) is a natural anti-inflammatory drug, and total ginsenosides (TG) are a commonly used immunoregulatory drug. Of note, both Cur and TG have been shown to exert anti-liver cancer effects. AIM: To determine the synergistic immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of Cur combined with TG in a mouse model of subcutaneous liver cancer. METHODS: regulatory T cells (Tregs) were counted by flow cytometry. RESULTS: < 0.0001), which is associated with tumor angiogenesis. CONCLUSION: Cur combined with TG regulates immune escape through the PD-L1 pathway and inhibits liver cancer growth through NF-κB-mediated inflammation and angiogenesis.