Anti-tumor effects and immuno-inflammatory-metabolic mechanisms of Buzhong Yiqi Granules in improving cancer-related fatigue in lung cancer.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-tumor effects and immuno-inflammatory-metabolic mechanisms of Buzhong Yiqi Granules (BYG) in alleviating cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in lung cancer. METHODS: UPLC-Q-TOF/MS detected compounds in BYG. CRF was induced in mice via Lewis lung carcinoma cell inoculation, with daily BYG treatment for 14 days. Anti-fatigue efficacy was evaluated through behavioral tests and ATP content detection. Anti-tumor effects were assessed via histopathology, tumor volume, and weight. Immuno-inflammatory-metabolic mechanisms were evaluated using inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ) and immune cell subsets (CD4+, CD8+ T cells) in serum and tumor tissues. RESULTS: Ninety-four active compounds were identified in BYG. In the CRF mouse model, BYG prolonged swimming time, reduced tail suspension immobility, increased muscle ATP to exert anti-fatigue effects; it inhibited tumor growth and metastasis by reducing volume and downregulating EGFR/CD34/MMP-9; it also modulated inflammation and immunity by lowering IL-6/TNF-α, elevating IFN-γ, enhancing CD4 + T cells and restoring the CD4 + /CD8 + ratio. CONCLUSIONS: BYG alleviates CRF via multi-target mechanisms involving energy metabolism, tumor inhibition, and immune-inflammatory regulation, supporting its clinical use in CRF and potential as lung cancer adjuvant therapy.