Xihuang pills targeting the Warburg effect through inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in prostate cancer

Sep 22, 2026

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Prostate cancer presents a major clinical challenge, particularly in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), where limited options are constrained by drug resistance. This study investigates the anti-tumor effects of Xihuang Pills (XHP) in CRPC by focusing on metabolic reprogramming and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis. In vitro and in vivo assays evaluate efficacy and mechanisms, supported by gene expression profiling and metabolite/compound analyses.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages19

Reading Time48 min

AccessFree to download

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

1. Introduction

Heliyon 10 (2024) e32914 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Heliyon journal [homepage:](homepage: www.cell.com/heliyon)[ www.cell.com/heliyon](homepage: www.cell.com/heliyon) Research article Xihuang pills targeting the Warburg effect through inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in prostate cancer Fengxia Lina, b, c , Yan Longa, c , Mingyue Lid, Changlong Caif, Yongrong Wu g , Xujun You h , Xuefei Tian e, ** , Qing Zhou a, * a Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410007, Hunan Province, China b Department of Cardiovascular, Shenzhen Bao’an Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China c Graduate School of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, Hunan Province, China d Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Bao’an Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China e College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, Hunan Province, China f Department of Urology, Shenzhen Bao’an Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China g School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, Hunan Province, China h Department of Andrology, Shenzhen Bao’an Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China A R T I C L E I N F O Keywords: Prostate cancer Xihuang pills Warburg effect Wnt/β-catenin pathway Metabolic re-programming A B S T R A C T Objective: Prostate cancer, marked by a high incidence and mortality rate, presents a significant challenge, especially in the context of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with limited treatment options due to drug resistance. This study aims to explore the anti-tumor effects of Xihuang Pills (XHP) on CRPC, focusing on metabolic reprogramming and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Methods: In vitro and in vivo biofunctional assays were employed to assess the efficacy and mechanisms of XHP. Subcutaneous xenografts of PC3 in mice served as an in vivo model to evaluate XHP’s anti-tumor activity. Tumor volume, weight, proliferation, and apoptosis were monitored. Various assays, including CCK8, TUNEL assay, QRT-PCR, and Western Blotting, were conducted to measure metabolic reprogramming, proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle in prostate cancer cells. RNA-seq analysis predicted XHP’s impact on prostate cancer, validating the expression of Wnt/β-catenin-related proteins and mRNA. Additionally, 58 compounds in XHP were identified via LC-MS/MS, and molecular docking analysis connected these compounds to key genes. Results: In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that XHP significantly inhibited CRPC cell viability, induced apoptosis, and suppressed invasion and migration. mRNA sequencing revealed differentially expressed genes, with functional enrichment analysis indicating modulation of key biological processes. XHP treatment downregulated Wnt signaling pathway-related genes, * Corresponding author. Department of Andrology, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, NO.95 Shaoshan Road, Yuhua District, Changsha, 410007, Hunan Province, China. ** Corresponding author. College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, 300 Xueshi Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, 410208, Hunan Province, China. E-mail addresses: [szlinfx@163.com](szlinfx@163.com) (F. Lin), [longyan728@qq.com](longyan728@qq.com) (Y. Long), [lmyzdg@tom.com](lmyzdg@tom.com) (M. Li), [584545328@qq.com](584545328@qq.com) (C. Cai), 004825@ [hnucm.edu.cn](hnucm.edu.cn) (Y. Wu), [youxujun90@gzucm.edu.cn](youxujun90@gzucm.edu.cn) (X. You), [003640@hnucm.edu.cn](003640@hnucm.edu.cn) (X. Tian), [310094@hnucm.edu

FAQs

What problem does the study address in prostate cancer?

The study targets prostate cancer with emphasis on castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), where treatment options are limited due to drug resistance.

How does the research evaluate the effects of Xihuang Pills (XHP)?

It uses in vitro and in vivo biofunctional assays, including tumor xenograft models, and assays such as CCK8, TUNEL, QRT-PCR, Western blotting, and RNA-seq.

What mechanism does the paper propose for XHP’s anti-tumor activity?

XHP is reported to suppress the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, reduce glycolysis markers and Warburg-effect-related metabolism, and influence β-catenin/HIF-1α-mediated glycolysis.

Sep 22, 2026

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