Strobilanthes crispus elicits anti-tumor immunogenicity in in vitro and in vivo metastatic breast carcinoma

PLoS One. 2022 Aug 16;17(8):e0271203. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271203. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Plant-based anticancer agents have the potential to stimulate the immune system to act against cancer cells. A standardized bioactive subfraction of the Malaysian herb, Strobilanthes crispus (L.) Blume (S. crispus) termed F3, demonstrates strong anticancer effects in both in vitro and in vivo models. The anticancer effects might be attributable to its immunomodulatory properties as S. crispus has been traditionally used to enhance the immune system. The current study examined whether F3 could stimulate anti-tumorigenic immunogenicity against 4T1 cells in vitro and in 4T1 cell-induced mammary carcinoma mouse model. We observed that F3 induced significant increase in MHC class I and class II molecules. CD4+, CD8+ and IL-2+ (p<0.05 for all) cells infiltration was also significantly increased in the breast tumor microenvironment of F3-treated mice compared with the tumors of untreated mice. The number of CD68+ macrophages was significantly lower in F3-treated mice. We conclude that the antitumor and antimetastatic effects of S. crispus involve strong infiltration of T cells in breast cancer potentially through increased tumor antigen presentation via MHC proteins, as well as reduction of infiltrating tumor-associated macrophages.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acanthaceae*
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Mice
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Plant Extracts

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Research University in the form of grants to NSY [1001.PPSP.8012295; 1001.PPSP.853002]. YSB was supported by a Third World Academy of Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia (TWAS-USM) fellowship. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.