<i>Scutellaria barbata</i> D.Don Water Extract Inhibits Breast Cancer Lung Metastasis by Modulating the Immune Microenvironment

Quanyang LIAO; Anlv REN; Chenrong ZUO; Jv LI; Ruifen SUN; Xiaosan SU

doi:10.12259/j.issn.2095-610X.S20250703

Volume 46 Issue 7

Jul. 2025

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Article Navigation > Journal of Kunming Medical University > 2025 > 46(7): 18-25

Quanyang LIAO, Anlv REN, Chenrong ZUO, Jv LI, Ruifen SUN, Xiaosan SU. Scutellaria barbata D.Don Water Extract Inhibits Breast Cancer Lung Metastasis by Modulating the Immune Microenvironment[J]. Journal of Kunming Medical University, 2025, 46(7): 18-25. doi: 10.12259/j.issn.2095-610X.S20250703

Citation:

Quanyang LIAO, Anlv REN, Chenrong ZUO, Jv LI, Ruifen SUN, Xiaosan SU. Scutellaria barbata D.Don Water Extract Inhibits Breast Cancer Lung Metastasis by Modulating the Immune Microenvironment[J]. Journal of Kunming Medical University, 2025, 46(7): 18-25. doi: 10.12259/j.issn.2095-610X.S20250703

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Scutellaria barbata D.Don Water Extract Inhibits Breast Cancer Lung Metastasis by Modulating the Immune Microenvironment

doi: 10.12259/j.issn.2095-610X.S20250703

Quanyang LIAO^1
,,
Anlv REN¹,
Chenrong ZUO²,
Jv LI³,
Ruifen SUN^{2
,
,},
Xiaosan SU^{4
,
,}

1.
College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2.
School of Nursing
3.
School of Basic Medical Sciences
4.
Scientific Research and Experimental Center，Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine，Kunming Yunnan 650500，China

Received Date: 2025-04-21
Publish Date: 2025-07-21

Abstract

Abstract

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which Scutellaria barbata D. Don water extract （SBW） inhibits lung metastasis of breast cancer by regulating the immune microenvironment. Methods A mouse model of lung metastasis was established using 4T1 breast cancer cells. Mice were divided into a control group （n = 6） and an SBW treatment group （n = 6）. The effect of SBW on tumor growth was assessed by measuring the volume of the primary tumor, and the inhibitory effect on lung metastasis was evaluated by observing the number and area of metastatic nodules in lung tissue using H&E staining. Flow cytometry was used to analyze changes in the composition of immune cells in the tumor, peripheral blood, and lung tissue. Results Compared with the control group, the SBW treatment group inhibited the growth of the primary tumor （P < 0.01） and reduced the number and area of lung metastatic nodules （P < 0.01）. Flow cytometry analysis showed that after SBW treatment, the numbers of CD86⁺ macrophages （P < 0.001） and polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells （PMN-MDSCs）（P < 0.05） in the tumor tissue were increased. In lung tissue, the numbers of CD86⁺ macrophages, natural killer T （NKT） cells, natural killer （NK） cells, and PMN-MDSCs were also elevated （P < 0.05）. Meanwhile, the numbers of regulatory T cells （Tregs）（P < 0.05）, CD206⁺ macrophages （P < 0.01）, and monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells （M-MDSCs）（P < 0.05） in both tumor and lung tissues were decreased. Conclusion SBW inhibits the breast cancer growth and lung metastasis by regulating the recruitment and distribution of immune cells in the tumor, peripheral blood, and lung tissue, thereby enhancing anti-tumor immune responses and reducing immune suppression.
- Scutellaria barbata D. Don,
- Breast cancer,
- Lung metastasis,
- Immune microenvironment.

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References(29)

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