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Natural product-mediated autophagy targeting for prostate cancer: A novel potential therapeutic strategy
Maofu Zhang1, Jialin Zhong1, Maobin Yu1
1TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, China.
Background:
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignancies among middle-aged and elderly men. It exhibits persistently high global incidence and mortality rates. Given the limitations of conventional treatments, novel therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. Natural products offer distinct advantages, including low cost, reduced risk of drug resistance, and fewer side effects. Owing to their multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway regulatory properties, natural products have shown significant promise in PCa treatment.
Purpose:
This review investigates the regulatory effects of natural products on cellular autophagy and examines their roles in the initiation and progression of PCa. By proposing a novel natural product-autophagy-PCa axis, this study provides a framework for translating experimental findings into clinical practice and identifying potential therapeutic strategies for PCa.
Methods:
A systematic review was conducted on cellular autophagy mechanisms and their association with PCa. Comprehensive searches were performed in authoritative databases, up to September 2025. Keywords included 'PCa', 'castration-resistant PCa', 'autophagy', 'autophagic flux', 'selective autophagy','macroautophagy','natural products', 'active compounds', 'traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas', and 'TCM'. Additionally, this review explores single Chinese medicinal herbs, natural small-molecule compounds, and traditional Chinese medicinal formulae capable of regulating autophagy to improve PCa outcomes.
Results:
Multiple natural products derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms effectively target cellular autophagy, thereby inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, delaying PCa progression, and demonstrating promising therapeutic effects. This review systematically outlines the origins, pharmacological actions, mechanisms, efficacy, and safety profiles of these natural products, highlighting their potential clinical benefits and providing a holistic perspective on their characteristics.
Conclusions:
This study fills existing gaps in the systematic characterisation of the relationship between autophagy and PCa, as well as in the development of natural product-based therapeutic strategies. It aims to offer more diverse treatment options to patients and contribute to advancements in PCa therapy.
Insights
Natural products show promise in treating prostate cancer (PCa) by regulating cellular autophagy. This review explores their mechanisms and potential as novel therapeutic strategies for PCa.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Conventional treatments for PCa have limitations, driving the need for alternative approaches like natural products.
- Natural products offer advantages such as lower cost, reduced drug resistance, and fewer side effects in cancer therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the regulatory effects of natural products on cellular autophagy in prostate cancer.
- To examine the role of natural products and autophagy in PCa initiation and progression.
- To propose a natural product-autophagy-PCa axis for clinical translation and therapeutic strategy development.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of cellular autophagy mechanisms and their association with PCa.
- Comprehensive database searches up to September 2025 using keywords related to PCa, autophagy, and natural products.
- Exploration of single herbs, compounds, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulas for regulating autophagy in PCa.
Main Results:
- Numerous natural products target cellular autophagy, inducing apoptosis and inhibiting PCa cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.
- These natural products demonstrate promising therapeutic effects by delaying PCa progression.
- The review outlines the origins, pharmacology, mechanisms, efficacy, and safety of these natural products.
Conclusions:
- This study systematically characterizes the relationship between autophagy and PCa, addressing gaps in natural product-based therapeutic development.
- It offers a framework for understanding the natural product-autophagy-PCa axis.
- The findings aim to provide diverse treatment options for PCa patients and advance therapy.
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