Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside tablets attenuated the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting IL-6 and downstream signaling pathways in a multi-target manner

J Asian Nat Prod Res. 2024 Dec 13:1-21. doi: 10.1080/10286020.2024.2435992. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside tablets (TWPT) have traditionally been used to treat certain inflammatory diseases. This study validated TWPT as a novel application in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment through multiple targets, thereby expanding its clinical medication scope. TWPT exhibited a low toxicity and a significantly antihepatoma effects in vitro and in vivo. Through network pharmacology analysis, we found TWPT attenuated the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by multi-targeting, including IL-6, MMP9, TNF-α and VEGFA. Additionally, TWPT targeted IL-6 to regulate downstream pathways, including the PI3K/Akt, JAK2/STAT3, and MAPK signaling pathways. Thus, TWPT could be developed as a potential therapeutic drug for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; IL-6; PI3K/MAPK/STAT3 signaling pathway; Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside tablets; therapeutic drug.