Scutellaria barbata polysaccharides inhibit tumor growth and affect the serum proteomic profiling of hepatoma H22-bearing mice

The present study aimed to evaluate the antitumor effect of Scutellaria barbata polysaccharides (SBPS) in a hepatoma mouse model and examine the serum proteins involved in the tumorigenesis and SBPS treatment. A hepatoma model was established by the subcutaneous inoculation of murine hepatocellular carcinoma into Kunming mice. The treatment (once a day) lasted until the tumor weight in the model group was ~1 g (~7-10 days after inoculation). The sera proteins from each group were then collected and subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Differentially expressed proteins were screened out and representatives were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. SBPS treatment at different doses significantly inhibited hepatoma growth (all P<0.01 vs. model group). The comparative serum proteomics showed that pseudouridine synthase 1 and chain A of the signal recognition particle Alu RNA-binding heterodimer (Srp9/14) were increased in the serum of the H22 hepatoma-bearing mice, and both were reduced by SBPS treatment. Mitochondrial ribosomal protein L24 was absent from the serum of H22 hepatoma-bearing mice, and was restored by SBPS treatment to approximately the normal level. Taken together, SBPS inhibited the growth of hepatic carcinoma in mice and affected serum proteomic profiling.