The Effects of Combination of Coix Seed Extract and Cisplatin on TAM and Expression of HIF-1α in Vivo in Lewis Lung Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: We investigated the combined effects of Kanglaite (KLT) and cisplatin on tumor associated macrophage (TAM) and expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) in Kunming mice with Lewis lung carcinoma. METHODS: Kunming mice with Lewis lung carcinoma were randomly divided into four groups: the control (NS) group, KLT group, cisplatin (DDP) group and DDP+KLT group in Hebei People’s Hospital, Hebei China from 2016 to 2017. Tumors were harvested 14 days after corresponding interventions. RESULTS: The percentage of TAM was determined by flow cytometry and HIF-1α mRNA was detected by realtime-PCR. Tumor weight of mice in KLT group, DDP group and DDP+KLT group was significantly lower than that of NS group (P<0.01). Tumor growth inhibition rate in DDP+KLT group was higher than DDP group, (P=0.205). The spleen index was lower in the DDP group than in the NS group (P=0.005), but was significantly increased when combined with KLT (P<0.01). The percentage of TAM was higher in the DDP group than in the NS group (P=0.898); the combination with KLT significantly decreased the percentage (P=0.009<0.01). Expression of HIF-1α was lower in the KLT group and DDP+KLT group than in NS group; it was decreased more in DDP+KLT group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: KLT led to pronounced antitumor activity in mice with Lewis lung carcinoma. It enhances the chemotherapeutic effect and improves immunity function when combined with cisplatin, which can be accomplished by decreasing the TAM levels and improving hypoxia status.