Research progress on the antitumor mechanisms and clinical translation of cucurbitacin B
- VernacularTitle:葫芦素B抗肿瘤机制和临床转化对策研究进展
- Author:
Xueyuan LIU
1
;
Hengwei DU
1
;
Ruiqi HU
1
;
Jing DU
1
;
Cuilan LIU
2
Author Information
1. Medical Research Center，Shandong Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital，Shandong Binzhou 256603，China;Dept. of Gynecology，Shandong Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital，Shandong Binzhou 256603，China
2. Medical Research Center，Shandong Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital，Shandong Binzhou 256603，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
cucurbitacin B;
antitumor;
molecular mechanisms;
clinical translation;
toxicity
- From:
China Pharmacy
2026;37(14):1925-1930
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Cucurbitacin B has been demonstrated to exhibit significant antitumor activity against various types of tumors. Its antiproliferative effects were mediated through the regulation of multiple signaling pathways， including the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） pathway， the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway， and the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Diverse forms of cell death were induced by modulating the expression of proteins such as B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X protein， Notch signaling components， iron uptake regulatory proteins， and gasdermin D. Genetic effects were exerted through upregulation of phosphorylated histone H2AX expression and suppression the expression of oncogenes. Furthermore， the tumor immune microenvironment was modulated， angiogenesis and migration/invasion were inhibited， and tumor drug resistance was ameliorated via targeting of the STAT3 site， inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2， and downregulation of P-glycoprotein. However， the oral bioavailability of cucurbitacin B has been found to be low； therefore， various strategies， including the development of derivatives and prodrugs， construction of nano-drug delivery systems， and fabrication of molecular probes， have been employed to improve its utilization efficiency and safety. In the future， more in-depth mechanistic investigations and clinical trials are still required to provide a theoretical basis for novel drug development and clinical application of this compound.
