BackgroundThe occurrence of CRC is believed to be related to a variety of factors. Accumulating evidence shows that microbiota can influence the outcome of cancer immunotherapy. Our previous studies indicated that the extract of Yi-Yi-Fu-Zi-Bai-Jiang-San (YYFZBJS), had potent anticancer activities by significantly inhibiting intestinal tumor development in ApcMin/+ mice. However, knowledge regarding the mechanism and effect of YYFZBJS in the prevention of colorectal cancer is limited.MethodsIn

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... his study, we investigated the preventive effects of oral administration of YYFZBJS in enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF)-colonized mice with azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced tumorigenesis. Here, the tumor load, tumor number, histology, and the severity of disease activity index (DAI) scores were reduced as expected.Resultsthe intragastric administration of YYFZBJS in AOM/DSS model significantly decreased ETBF abundance, immunity and some M2 macrophage markers, including CD206, Arg-1, IL-10, and TGF-β. Additionally, reversing polarized macrophages, which has been modified by YYFZBJS, could suppressed CRC cell proliferation and infiltration, as demonstrated by decreasing some tumor proliferation-related proteins in a dose-dependent manner, including c-Met, cyclinD1 and MMPs. Importantly, ETBF dysbiosis can contribute to the development of colon tumor by stimulating p-STAT3 medicated M2 macrophages polarization to promote chronic inflammation and adenoma malignant transformation, which effectively constrained by YYFZBJS.ConclusionAltogether, we demonstrate that ETBF dysbiosis may contribute to M2 macrophages-promoted colon carcinogenesis and progression of CRC cells, and indicating that YYFZBJS could be employed as a promising protective agent against ETBF-mediated colorectal cancer.