Therapeutic potential and mechanistic insights of silibinin targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts in colorectal cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study aims to elucidate the role of SB in inhibiting CRC progression by targeting CAFs and elucidating the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

In this study, a spontaneous CRC model induced by AOM/DSS was used to evaluate the effects of SB on CAFs. Mice were treated with SB, and tumor burden was assessed by colon length. CAFs were isolated post-treatment for transcriptomic analysis to identify differentially expressed genes, with molecular docking providing in silico evidence of SB's binding to target proteins. CAFs changes were further examined through HE staining, IHC, and assays for cell viability, colony formation, and migration. Integrated bioinformatic analysis elucidated the mechanistic role of SB in CAFs-mediated CRC progression.

Results

In

SUBMITTER: He S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12000085 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature