Liuwei Dihuang pills suppress hepatocellular carcinoma via PI3K/AKT/TP53 pathway: Integrating network pharmacology,

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Hongxin Cai1, Qi Hu2, Zhiying Song2

  • 1Modern Industrial College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Health, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, China; Medical College of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, 314001, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China; Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China.

Phytomedicine : International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology
|February 6, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Liuwei Dihuang Pills (LWPs) show anti-cancer effects against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by promoting apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT/TP53 pathway. The alcohol extract of LWPs is identified as the key anti-HCC component.

Area of Science:

  • Traditional Chinese Medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a significant global health burden with limited therapeutic strategies.
  • Liuwei Dihuang Pills (LWPs), a traditional Chinese medicine, exhibit potential anti-tumor properties, but their mechanisms against HCC are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the bioactive components and mechanisms of Liuwei Dihuang Pills (LWPs) in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  • To elucidate the role of LWPs in regulating key signaling pathways and cellular processes involved in HCC progression.

Main Methods:

  • Network pharmacology identified 20 core targets, with pathway analysis (GO, KEGG) pointing to PI3K/AKT and TP53 pathways.
  • In vivo and in vitro studies utilized cell lines, animal models, metabolomics, and molecular docking to assess anti-HCC effects and mechanisms.
  • Analysis of LWPs alcohol extract identified active components and their binding affinities to target proteins.

Main Results:

  • LWPs demonstrated tumor growth inhibition and regulated the PI3K/AKT/TP53 axis in vivo.
  • In vitro, LWPs suppressed Huh7 cell proliferation, migration, invasion, induced G1 arrest, increased ROS, and triggered apoptosis.
  • LWPs alcohol extract was the primary anti-HCC fraction, with identified components showing strong binding to PI3K, AKT, and TP53.

Conclusions:

  • LWPs promote HCC apoptosis through the PI3K/AKT/TP53 pathway.
  • The alcohol extract of LWPs is crucial for its anti-HCC activity.
  • These findings provide a scientific foundation for developing LWPs as a targeted therapy for HCC.
Keywords:
Experimental verification in vivo and in vitroHCCLWPsMolecular dockingNetwork pharmacologyPI3K/AKT/TP53

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