Cepharanthine hydrochloride inhibits prostate cancer progression by modulating gut microbiota and metabolites.

Background: Cepharanthine Hydrochloride (CH) is widely used in clinical settings to alleviate leukopenia caused by various tumors following radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, it remains unclear whether CH have an inhibitory effect on the progression of prostate cancer, and whether this effect is mediated by gut microbiota. To address this question, the present study constructed normal mouse models of prostate cancer, as well as antibiotic-treated mouse models of prostate cancer. Methods: CH were then administered via gavage to both groups of model mice. After treatment, the tumor sizes of the mice were measured, and feces, blood, and tumor tissues from both groups were collected for 16S rDNA, metabolomics, and transcriptomics sequencing analysis. Results: Results showed CH treatment significantly suppressed prostate cancer growth in mice without antibiotic cocktail pretreatment, but not in antibiotic-pretreated mice. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed distinct gut microbiota alterations in CH-Ctrl versus Ctrl/CH-ABX groups, with increased g_Blautia, g_ Conclusion: This study is the first to explore the potential mechanisms of gut microbiota-mediated CH treatment for prostate cancer, providing a scientific basis for the application of CH in PCa therapy.