Astragaloside IV represses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by modulating HMGB1-ferroptosis axis

Astragaloside IV (AST-IV), as one of the main functional components of Astragalus membranaceus, has physiological functions such as regulating metabolism and anti-tumor. However, the role of AST-IV on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was still poorly understood. In this study, our work explored whether AST-IV could induce ferroptosis and repress HCC tumorigenesis. Results indicated that AST-IV could repress the tumor progression (viability, migration) of HCC in vitro. Besides, AST-IV induced the ferroptosis (Fe²⁺, malondialdehyde, lipid peroxidation) in HCC cells. Molecular docking and microscale thermophoresis indicated that high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) acted as the target of AST-IV. AST-IV could repress the HMGB1 expression and HMGB1 reversed the role of AST-IV on HCC cells' ferroptosis. In vivo, AST-IV administration repressed the tumor progression. In conclusion, AST-IV represses HCC progression by modulating HMGB1-ferroptosis axis, which provides a novel insight for HCC.