Evaluating the Efficacy of Astragalus Polysaccharide (APS) in Treating Lung Cancer (LUAD) via Inhibition of the Wnt/-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Lung cancer is the characterization of a tumor that develops in the lungs, and it is one of the leading causes of death globally. Lung Adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the most prevalent lung cancers. The Wnt/-Catenin signaling pathway controls cell proliferation, and abnormalities in the pathway have been associated with cancer development and progression. A variety of polysaccharides have been proven to contain anti-tumor effects through the indirect killing of tumor cells via cell signaling pathway regulation. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) is the most active component of Astragalus membranaceus, a traditional Chinese medicine. Due to its low toxicity, APS is a prime candidate in exploring the inhibition of cellular pathways such as Wnt/-catenin. However, the effects of APS on tumor cells are not fully understood. This study seeks to examine the effects of APS in inducing cytotoxicity and apoptosis in A549 cells from the LUAD cell line. To understand the mechanism of APS on tumor cells, various assays will be employed, such as MTT, Annexin V tracing, and western blots for the cleavage of Poly (ADP-ribose) Polymerase (PARP) protein and the presence of -Catenin. The results of the study will determine the mechanisms of APS, and its potential application as a treatment for cancer.