Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 27, 2026

A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
07:25

A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer

Published on: March 6, 2018

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Icaritin inhibits castration-resistant prostate cancer via RhoB-mediated Akt signaling

Chen Hui1, Zhang Fan2, Ma Yingyao1

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

Pathology, Research and Practice
|April 25, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Icaritin effectively combats castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) by targeting RhoB signaling. This natural compound inhibits tumor growth and proliferation, offering a new therapeutic avenue for prostate cancer (PCa).

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) presents significant therapeutic challenges.
  • RhoB is identified as a key molecular target in prostate cancer (PCa).
  • Icaritin, a flavonoid from Epimedii Folium, shows antitumor potential but its anti-CRPC mechanisms are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the anti-CRPC efficacy of icaritin.
  • To investigate the role of RhoB signaling in icaritin's anti-cancer effects.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying icaritin's action against CRPC.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro assays assessing CRPC cell viability, proliferation, and clonogenic capacity.
  • In vivo RM-1 xenograft model to evaluate tumor growth, PSA, and testosterone levels.
  • RNA-sequencing and TCGA-PRAD dataset analysis to identify therapeutic targets.
  • Mechanistic studies on RhoB and Akt signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • Icaritin significantly inhibited CRPC cell viability, proliferation, and clonogenic potential.
  • In vivo, icaritin suppressed tumor growth and reduced PSA and testosterone levels.
  • RhoB was identified as a candidate therapeutic target in CRPC.
  • Icaritin modulates RhoB-mediated Akt signaling to inhibit CRPC progression.

Conclusions:

  • Icaritin demonstrates significant anti-CRPC activity.
  • The anti-tumor effects of icaritin are, in part, mediated by the RhoB/Akt signaling pathway.
  • Icaritin shows promise as a potential therapeutic agent for CRPC.
Keywords:
AKTIcaritinRhoBcastration-resistant prostatic cancer

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