Background:Gastric cancer, one of the most familiar adenocarcinomas of the gastrointestinal
tract, ranks third in the world in cancer-related deaths. Traditional Chinese medicine
can suppress the growth of tumors, and the underlying mechanism may be associated with
the tumor microenvironment. Here, we investigated the anti-cancer effects of the Qingrexiaoji
recipe on gastric cancer and the underlying molecular mechanism.Methods:An in vivo nude mouse model was established, and the expression of CD206, CD80,
and M2 phenotype-related proteins (Arg-1, Fizz1) was obtained by flow cytometry and western
blotting. The expressions of the M2 phenotype-related cytokines were examined by ELISA.Results:Qingrexiaoji recipe inhibited gastric tumor growth and downregulated the expression
of CD206, IFN-γ, IL-13, IL-4, and TNF-α in vivo. Qingrexiaoji recipe deceased M2 phenotypic
polarization by upregulating microRNA (miR)-29a-3p level. Luciferase activity assays showed
that HDAC4 is a potential target of miR-29a-3p. In cells co-transfected with HDAC4 siRNA and
miR-29a-3p inhibitor and treated with IL-4 and Qingrexiaoji recipe, the miR-29a-3p inhibitorinduced
increase of M2 phenotypic polarization was reversed.Conclusion:In summary, these results suggested that the Qingrexiaoji recipe regulated M2
macrophage polarization by regulating miR-29a-3p/HDAC4, providing a different and innovative
treatment for gastric cancer.