Qingjie Fuzheng Granule and 5-fluorouracil Inhibit Colorectal Cancer Growth in a Synergistic Manner via the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Protein Kinase B Pathway

Abstract

Our goal is to learn how Qingjie Fuzheng Granule (QFG) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) work together to treat colorectal cancer. Research Tools and Procedures: Human colorectal cells and xenograft mice were utilized to study the synergistic anti-cancer capacity of QFG and 5-FU, which targets the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway. Chou-Talalay was employed to generate this index. Findings: The growth of HCT-8 cells was suppressed by a synergistic effect of QFG and 5-FU. The combination of QFG with 5-FU in HCT-8 cells and mice resulted in apoptosis induced by regulation of associated proteins, inhibition of proliferation, migration, and invasion. In addition, enzymes involved in 5-FU metabolism, including thymidylate synthase and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, were down-regulated by QFG and 5-FU. Furthermore, by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, it eased cancer-related behaviors such as migration, invasion, and proliferation. Findings: By inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, the anti-cancer actions of QFG and 5-FU are enhanced.