AUTHOR=Li Cheng , Li Zhongfeng , Zhang Tianjiao , Wei Peihuang , Li Nuo , Zhang Wei , Ding Xia , Li Jian 

TITLE=1H NMR-Based Metabolomics Reveals the Antitumor Mechanisms of Triptolide in BALB/c Mice Bearing CT26 Tumors

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2019.01175

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2019.01175

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<p>Triptolide, the main active ingredient in <italic>Tripterygium wilfordii</italic><underline><bold>Hook. f. (Celastraceae)</bold></underline>, has shown promising effects against a variety of tumors. However, the molecular pharmacological mechanisms explaining the action of triptolide remain unknown. In this study, the CT26 colon tumor cell line was inoculated subcutaneously into BALB/c mice, and plasma samples were subjected to <sup>1</sup>H NMR metabolomics analysis. The metabolic signature identified five metabolites whose levels were lower and 15 whose levels were higher in CT26 tumor-bearing mice than in normal control mice. Triptolide treatment significantly reversed the levels of nine of these metabolites, including isoleucine, glutamine, methionine, proline, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, 2-hydroxyisovalerate, 2-hydroxyisobutyrate, and low-density lipoprotein/very low-density lipoprotein. Based on the identities of these potential biomarkers, we conclude that the antitumor mechanism of triptolide might rely on correcting perturbations in branched-chain amino acid metabolism, serine/glycine/methionine biosynthesis, and ketone bodies metabolism.</p>