Fig. 5

Brevilin A significantly inhibits colorectal liver metastasis by targeting the VEGF-IL6-STAT3 axis. A Brevilin A significantly inhibited colorectal liver metastasis in both time- and dose-dependent manners; and quantitative results were shown in the (lower panel). CT26-luc cells were inoculated into the spleen of BALB/c mice. Mice were randomly divided into model, low dosage (4 mg/kg) and high dosage of brevilin A (8 mg/kg) groups. B Brevilin A reduced luminance signals in the livers. C Images of livers with CRC tumors. D, E Tumor number (D) and body weights (E) of mice. F H&E staining of tumors in the liver tissues of each group. G, H The VEGF (G) and IL6 (H) contents in the liver constitution homogenate of mouse after treated with brevilin A were detected by using the ELISA assay. I–L IHC staining of VEGF (I), α-SMA, FAP (J), p-STAT3 (Tyr705) (K) and MMP-2 (L) in the liver tissues of each group. Data are presented as mean ± SD, **P < 0.01, *P < 0.05 vs. model group, n = 6