The effect of Echinacea purpurea polysaccharide on gut microbiota and serum metabolism in Lewis lung cancer mice

Abstract

Lung cancer is closely associated with chronic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation, which contribute to tumor progression and pose significant challenges for effective treatment. Echinacea purpurea polysaccharide (EP) can regulate immunity and gut microbiota, but its specific impact on lung cancer through gut microbiota or its broader metabolic effects remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate the intervention effect of EP on lung cancer and its impact on gut microbiota and metabolism. The tumor inhibition rate of EP was 46.7 %, and it could downregulate the expression level of Ki67 protein in tumor tissues, reduce the level of inflammation and growth factors. The intervention of EP preserved intestinal barrier integrity and increased the level of beneficial microbiota, such as Blautia, Faecalibaculum, and Dubosiella, associated with the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Furthermore, the different metabolites showed that EP primarily impacted amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism pathways. The correlation analysis showed that EP could affect the serum metabolic pathways through the gut microbiota. Meanwhile, EP transmitted anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic signals, regulated the immune environment, thus preventing the onset and development of lung cancer. This suggests that EP could be an adjuvant in lung cancer prevention and treatment strategies.