Water extract of pilose antler can inhibit breast cancer progression of the mouse through modulating its immune system

ABSTRACTPilose antler (PA) is used to treat many diseases, but its effect on breast cancer is still unclear. Here, we report the effects of PA on the growth of the mouse mammary tumour in vitro and in vivo, and its effects on immune system of the tumor-bearing mice. The 4T1 mouse mammary tumour cells were cultured with media supplemented with water extract of PA (WEPA), and the female BALB/c mice transplanted with 4T1 cells were treated by gavage with WEPA. The results showed that WEPA promoted the proliferation of 4T1 cells in vitro, while inhibited the growth of 4T1 tumour in vivo. In addition, WEPA increased the proportion of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and NK cells and reduced myeloid-derived suppressive cells in mouse peripheral blood. These results suggest that WEPA can inhibit the growth of mouse 4T1 tumours through modulating immune system of the mouse.