Echinacoside modulates gut microbiota-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition to inhibit colorectal cancer metastasis

Echinacoside (ECH) exhibits antitumor prosperity against colorectal cancer (CRC) in vitro, while its oral efficacy in vivo remains unclear since its extremely low bioavailability. Herein, we uncovered ECH does show oral anti-metastatic efficacy, and gut microbes, particularly butyrate-producing gut bacteria, drive anti-metastatic action via downregulating PI3K/AKT signaling and EMT. It hints at a new role of ECH as a prebiotic-like drug in cancer therapy.