Inhibition of Rectal Cancer Growth by a New Herbal Extract Combinations(Fuo-C4) in Vivo

Background: The therapeutic strategy by incorporating new agents into existing treatment regimens is a current challenge in rectal cancer (CRC) treatment. Strategies that target key signaling pathways offer great potential and two validated therapeutic targets are VEGF and EGF and their receptors. To study the potential therapeutic efficacy of rectal cancer treatments, here, we developed a new kind of herbal extract combinations (FUO-C4) from Lonicera japonica, Herba Agrimonia, Herba Scutellariae Barbatae, Astragalus membranaceus and Saussurea costus etc, which had an inhibitory potential effective on cancer growth and angiogenesis. Methods: We evaluated the extent to which FUO-C4 could inhibit tumor growth using CT26 in vivo xenograft model of rectal cancer. Tumor volume and weight, microvessel density (MVD), VEGFR/EGFR expression by immunohistochemistry, apoptosis by tunnel assay and toxicity on liver, kidney function and hematology were measured. Results: In vivo, FUO-C4 (at 20mg/g body weight), which was given by gavage in mice after tumor inoculation, significantly decreased the volume of rectal cancer xenografts. The weight was 2.85 ± 0.89g compared with 4.69 ± 1.17g (P