# Lycium barbarum Glycopeptide Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation via Activating p53/p21 Pathway and Inducing Cellular Senescence

## TL;DR

This study shows that a compound from a traditional Chinese medicine can slow colorectal cancer growth by triggering cell cycle arrest and senescence.

## Contribution

The novel finding is that Lycium barbarum glycopeptide inhibits CRC via the p53/p21 pathway and induces cellular senescence.

## Key findings

- LbGP significantly inhibited CT26 cell proliferation in vitro and suppressed tumor growth in mice.
- LbGP upregulated p53/p21 levels, causing cell cycle arrest in the S phase.
- LbGP treatment induced tumor cell senescence in CRC models.

## Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Its sustained proliferative signaling poses a major challenge for effective therapeutic intervention. Since CRC originates from aberrantly proliferating crypt cells, limiting proliferation or inducing senescence may offer a promising treatment approach. Lycium barbarum glycopeptide (LbGP), a traditional Chinese medicine component, is known for its immunomodulatory and other beneficial effects. This study aims to examine the anti-tumor effects of LbGP in CRC as well as its underlying mechanisms of action. We used CT26 CRC cells to investigate the effects of LbGP on tumor proliferation both in vitro and in an allograft mouse model. LbGP treatment significantly inhibited CT26 cell proliferation in vitro and suppressed tumor growth in CT26-implanted mice. Furthermore, LbGP treatment significantly upregulated p53/p21 levels both in vitro and in vivo, leading to CT26 cell cycle arrest in the S phase and the induction of tumor cell senescence. These findings demonstrate that LbGP effectively induces CRC cell cycle arrest and senescence via the p53/p21 pathway and may serve as a promising candidate for CRC adjuvant therapy.