Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway
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Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

Published on: August 23, 2024

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Natural Products Targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR-Mediated Autophagy Pathway in Cancer Therapy: Recent Advances and

Jingwen Hu1,2, Yulin Guo2, Liang Ren3,4

  • 1The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China.

Journal of Natural Products
|February 12, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Natural products can target the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and autophagy to fight cancer. This review explores how these natural compounds suppress tumor growth and enhance treatment efficacy, despite facing pharmacokinetic challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and autophagy are key regulators of cancer cell proliferation, survival, and drug resistance.
  • Dysregulation of this pathway is a significant driver of cancer progression and therapeutic failure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances (2015-2025) in natural products targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR-mediated autophagy pathway in cancer.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms of action of various natural product classes on this pathway and their effects on cancer models.
  • To analyze the potential of natural products in combination therapies for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies published between 2015 and 2025.
  • Synthesis and evaluation of research on natural products (alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, polyphenols) modulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and autophagy.
  • Analysis of preclinical data on combination therapies involving natural products, chemotherapy, targeted agents, and immunotherapy.

Main Results:

  • Diverse natural product classes effectively modulate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and autophagic flux, suppressing proliferation and promoting apoptosis in various cancer models.
  • Natural products show promise in combination therapies, enhancing efficacy, reducing toxicity, and overcoming drug resistance.
  • Significant translational challenges, particularly poor pharmacokinetics, hinder the clinical application of these compounds.

Conclusions:

  • Natural products represent a promising therapeutic strategy for targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR-autophagy axis in cancer.
  • Further research is needed to overcome pharmacokinetic limitations and advance these compounds towards clinical translation.
  • Integrating mechanistic insights, combination strategies, and clinical data is crucial for developing effective natural product-based cancer therapies.

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