10-Gingerol Enhances the Effect of Taxol in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer via Targeting ADRB2 Signal

Sep 24, 2026

Paclitaxel is widely used in cancer therapy, but severe side effects and drug resistance limit clinical benefit in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). 10-gingerol (10-G), a natural ginger compound with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities, may improve chemotherapy response; however, its mechanism in TNBC remains unclear. In vitro and in vivo experiments assessed viability, apoptosis, protein changes, docking, and ADRB2 knockout, with toxicity monitoring. Results indicate ADRB2/ERK signaling inhibition mediates sensitization while limiting hepatorenal toxicity.

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CategoryHealthcare

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Drug Design, Development and Therapy Dovepress open access to scientific and medical research Open Access Full Text Article ORIGINAL RESEARCH 10-Gingerol Enhances the Effect of Taxol in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer via Targeting ADRB2 Signaling Yuqi Liang 1 , 2 , *, Guosong Wu 3 , *, Tianyu Luo 1 , 2 , *, Haimei Xie2 , Qian Zuo2 , Ping Huang2 , Huachao Li 2 , Liushan Chen2 , Hai Lu4 , *, Qianjun Chen 1 , 2 , * 1The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Breast, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, People’s Republic of China; 3Nanfang Hospital Baiyun Branch, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, People’s Republic of China; 4The First People’s Hospital of Shaoguan, Shaoguan, Guangdong, 512099, People’s Republic of China *These authors contributed equally to this work Correspondence: Qianjun Chen, Department of Breast, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, 111 Dade Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510102, People’s Republic of China, Email [cqj55@163.com](cqj55@163.com); Hai Lu, The First People’s Hospital of Shaoguan, No. 3, South Dongdi Road, Shaoguan, 512099, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 15622187291, Email [hysa1985@163.com](hysa1985@163.com) | Purpose: Although paclitaxel is widely used in cancer treatment, severe side effects and drug resistance limit its clinical use. 10-gingerol (10-G) is a natural compound isolated from ginger, which displays anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiproliferative properties. However, the chemotherapy-sensitization effect of 10-G on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has not been fully clarified. This study is aimed at investigating the effect of 10-G on the paclitaxel sensitivity in TNBC, and its underlying mechanism. Methods: The study was determined through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Cell viability and proliferation were detected by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) and colony formation. To detect cell apoptosis, flow cytometry and TUNEL were used. The expression of proteins was detected by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The molecular docking and gene knockout were corroborated by interactions between 10-G and adrenoceptor Beta 2 (ADRB2) . The body weight of mice, histopathology and organs (kidney and spleen) coefficients were used to monitor the drug toxicities.
Results: In vitro, 10-G increased the sensitivity ofTNBC cells to paclitaxel, and could synergistically promote the apoptosis ofTNBC cells induced by paclitaxel. In combination with molecular docking and lentivirus knockdown studies, ADRB2 was identified as a 10-G binding protein. 10-G inhibited ADRB2 by binding to the active site of ADRB2 . Knockdown of ADRB2 reduces the proliferation activity of TNBC cells but also attenuates the sensitizing effects of 10-G to paclitaxel. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry showed that 10-G played an anti-proliferation and chemotherapy-sensitizing role by inhibiting the ADRB2/ERK signal. Toxicity evaluation showed that 10-G would not increase hepatorenal toxicity with paclitaxel.
Conclusion: This data suggests that 10-G may be used as a new chemotherapeutic synergist in combination with paclitaxel to enhance anticancer activity. The potential value of ADRB2 as a target for improving chemotherapy sensitivity was also emphasized. Keywords: triple-negative breast cancer, combined therapies, 10-gingerol, paclitaxel, adrenoceptor Beta 2 | | --- | | Introduction
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed and the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide.1 Breast cancer without expression of ER, PR, and HER2 is termed triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and is the most aggressive type.2 It has the clinical characteristics of high recurrence and mortality rates.3 Since no effective therapeutic target currently exists, chemotherapy remains the main treatment option for TNBC.4 Paclitaxe

FAQs

What problem does the study address in TNBC chemotherapy?

Paclitaxel’s effectiveness is limited by resistance and adverse effects, and the chemosensitization potential of 10-gingerol in TNBC has not been fully clarified.

How does 10-gingerol enhance paclitaxel sensitivity according to the study?

10-gingerol increases TNBC cell sensitivity to paclitaxel, promotes apoptosis, and inhibits the ADRB2/ERK signaling pathway by targeting ADRB2.

Does combining 10-gingerol with paclitaxel increase toxicity in mice?

Toxicity evaluation indicates that 10-gingerol does not increase hepatorenal toxicity when used with paclitaxel.

Sep 24, 2026

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