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Chinese herbal medicine, huang-qi, can treat breast cancer

08/17/2018 // Michelle Simmons // Views

Tags: alternative medicine, astragalus, breast cancer, breast cancer cells, breast cancer treatment, cell proliferation, goodhealth, goodmedicine, herbal medicine, Herbs, huang qi, natural cancer treatments, natural cures, natural healing, natural medicine, natural remedies

Researchers from the Fujian University of Traditional Medicine in China have found that the traditional Chinese medicine called Huang-qi (Astragalus membranaceus) can be a promising agent in breast cancer treatment. In their study, which was published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the team looked at the biological effects of Huang-qi on breast cancer cells and the mechanisms behind it.

• To prepare the extract, researchers used ground Huang-qi with a water extraction-ethanol supernatant method. The main isolates in the extract were identified afterward.
• The anti-proliferative activity of Huang-qi extract was tested on three breast cancer lines: MCF-7 (ER+), SK-BR-3 (HER2+) and MDA-MB-231 (triple-negative). This was done by exposing breast cancer cells to the extract for 48 hours.
• Researchers also analyzed Huang-qi's effect on phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K)/Protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways, a primary intracellular signaling pathway that contributes to cell proliferation, growth, migration, metabolism, and apoptosis.
• Results revealed that Huang-qi extract had four kinds of isoflavones: campanulin, ononin, calycosin, and formononetin.
• Huang-qi extract inhibited proliferation of cells MCF-7, SK-BR-3 and MDA-MB-231.
• Treatment with Huang-qi extracts also substantially promoted breast cancer cell apoptosis.
• The findings suggested that the ability of Huang-qi to inhibit breast cancer cell growth was linked to its ability to inhibit PI3K/Akt/mTOR activity.

The researchers concluded that Huang-qi extract could potentially be used for breast cancer treatment.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

To read more stories on natural cancer treatments, visit CancerSolutions.news today.

Journal Reference:

Zhou R, Chen H, Chen J, Chen X, Wen Y, Xu L. EXTRACT FROM ASTRAGALUS MEMBRANACEUS INHIBIT BREAST CANCER CELLS PROLIFERATION VIA PI3K/AKT/MTOR SIGNALING PATHWAY. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 9 March 2018; 18(83). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-018-2148-2

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