Multitarget antitumor effects of panacis japonici rhizoma

Panax japonicus C.A. Mey., belonging to the genus Panax in the Araliaceae family, is a perennial drug plant. Its rhizomes, known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as Zhujieshen (Panacis Japonici Rhizoma), have a long history spanning thousands of years. This review systematically summarizes the multitarget antitumor effects of Zhujieshen and its bioactive metabolites, such as total saponins (TSPJ) and specific chikusetsusaponins (IVa, IV, V). Preclinical studies demonstrate broad anticancer activities against lung, liver, cervical, ovarian, prostate, and colorectal cancers by promoting apoptosis, suppressing proliferation, inhibiting metastasis, and enhancing chemosensitivity. Pharmacological investigations reveal that these effects are mediated through modulation of key signaling pathways, including PI3K/Akt, PKCα-ERK1/2, TLR4/NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin, which act on molecular targets like MMP-2, MMP-9, and Caspase-3. This collective regulation reduces inflammatory cytokine secretion, curtails tumor growth and spread, and increases sensitivity to chemotherapy.