Objective: To investigate the effect of Jianpi Shugan Kangdu decoction (JSKD) on the growth and metastasis of MDA-MB-231-pAcGFP xenograft tumors in nude mice

and explore its mechanism. Method: Human triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) were transfected with pAcGFP-C1 by fugene HD transfection reagent

and then the breast cancer cells with stable expression of green fluorescent protein (MDA-MB-231-pAcGFP) were obtained by geneticin (G418) screening. The percentage of MDA-MB-231-pAcGFP was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The mice bearing MDA-MB-231-pAcGFP cells were obtained with subcutaneous inoculation

and then the volume and the weight of the xenograft tumors were observed by using fluorescence imaging technology. Result: The transfection rate of the MDA-MB-231-pAcGFP cells was 96.5% and the rate of tumor formation of these cells was 100%. The average weight of the xenograft tumors was (1.30±0.11) g (group A

model group)

(0.75±0.12) g (group B

JSKD group)

(0.48±0.09) g (group C

CXCR4 inhibitor group) and (0.44±0.07) g (group D

JSKD+CXCR4 inhibitor group)

respectively

and their tumor volumes were (6.635±0.500)

(4.017±0.466)

(2.664±0.700)

(2.323±0.492) cm3

respectively. The tumor weight and volume were changed in three treatment groups as compared with the model group (P<0.05). The tumor inhibition rates were 42.18%

62.95%

66.28% in three treatment groups

respectively. Fluorescent metastatic nodules were found in liver of group A and group C

however

fluorescent metastatic nodules were not found in liver of group B and group D. Conclusion: Jianpi Shugan Kangdu decoction could significantly inhibit the growth of the MDA-MB-231-pAcGFP xenograft tumors and prevent tumor metastasis in liver

providing experimental basis for the prevention and treatment of triple-negative breast cancer by Jianpi Shugan Kangdu decoction.