Interventions of Guizhi Fuling Pills in Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells

doi:10.19803/j.1672-8629.20240945

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To investigate the potential pharmacology of Guizhi Fuling pills in intervening in stem cells of ovarian cancer. Methods UPLC-MS was adopted to analyze the active ingredients of Guizhi Fuling pills while network pharmacology was used to predict the potential targets and pathways through which Guizhi Fuling pills might intervene in ovarian cancer stemness. In vitro sphere formation assay was performed to observe the sphere-forming ability of ovarian cancer cells. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of p-STAT3 in cells. qRT-PCR and protein immunoblotting were performed to detect the mRNA and protein levels of stemness markers, respectively. Results Ninety-five active ingredients and 350 targets were obtained from Guizhi Fuling pills that might intervene in the stemness of ovarian cancer by regulating such signaling pathways as PI3K/AKT1 and STAT3. Pharmacological studies showed that Guizhi Fuling pills inhibited the spheroid formation of ovarian cancer cells, intervened in STAT3 activation and nuclear expression, and regulated the expressions of stemness genes CD44 and ALDH1 family. Conclusion Guizhi Fuling pills suppress ovarian cancer stemness through multi-targets and multi-pathways. The mechanism by which Guizhi Fuling pills inhibits stemness markers ALDH1 and CD44 is closely related to STAT3.

Key words: Guizhi Fuling Pills, Ovarian Cancer, Tumor Stem Cells, Network Pharmacology, Mechanism of Action

CLC Number:

BU Zixuan, XUE Mengwei, TIAN Jiawei, KE Kaile, WANG Ziying, LI Xiao, LU Tiangong. Interventions of Guizhi Fuling Pills in Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells[J]. Chinese Journal of Pharmacovigilance, 2025, 22(3): 263-270.

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https://zgywjj.magtechjournal.com/EN/Y2025/V22/I3/263

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