Anti-glioma effect of Buthus martensii Karsch (BmK) scorpion by inhibiting myeloid-derived suppressor cells and activating T cells in tumor microenvironment

Glioma is a common type of malignant tumor with high global incidence and limited therapeutic options. Buthus martensii Karsch (BmK) Scorpion is listed as medicinal and functional food material for centuries to relieve neurological diseases including glioma in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, network pharmacology firstly revealed that BmK Scorpion may exert anti-tumor effect via regulating oncogenic signals like EGFR and SRC. The anti-neoplastic effect and safety of BmK Scorpion were further validated on two in vivo glioma models, subcutaneous xenograft and orthotopic transplanted glioma in C57BL/6J mice. Data from mRNA and miRNA transcriptomes of orthotopic glioma showed that BmK exerted anti-glioma as well as immune regulatory effects. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that BmK improved CD4 + and CD8 + T immunity and decreased myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) infiltration in glioma. Collectively, BmK Scorpion restrained the progress of glioma possibly via improving T cell surveillance and inhibiting MDSC in tumor microenvironment.