RESUMO
Two new C21 steroidal glycosides, brapreguanes A and B (1-2) were isolated from 75 % aqueous ethanol extract of Selaginella braunii Baker. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analyses (1D/2D NMR spectra and HR-ESI-MS). The absolute configurations of sugar were elucidated by enzymatic hydrolysis and GCMS analysis. In addition, all compounds were evaluated for the anti-proliferative activities against various human cancer cells inâ vitro. Compounds exhibited no inhibition to various human cancer cells.
Assuntos
Selaginellaceae , Humanos , Selaginellaceae/química , Estrutura Molecular , Glicosídeos/farmacologia , Glicosídeos/química , Açúcares , Etanol , Extratos VegetaisRESUMO
Xiaoer Fupi Granules, a refined version of the classical prescription Shenling Baizhu Powder, has the effect of invigora-ting spleen, replenishing Qi, harmonizing stomach and resolving accumulation and is commonly used to treat Qi deficiency in spleen and stomach, disordered transportation and transformation, and indigestion of children. However, its medicinal constituents and mechanism remain unclear. We studied the main active constituents and action mechanism of Xiaoer Fupi Granules by integrating network pharmacology and prototype constituent analysis in vivo. This study will help to increase the reliability of database analysis results and lay a foundation for precise medication and mining of quality control markers. On the basis of Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine(BATMAN-TCM), the "key chemical constituents-target" network was constructed. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap-orbitrap mass spectrometry(UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS) was employed to analyze the absorbed constituents in rat urine and plasma, so as to validate the network. Further, we used BATMAN-TCM to construct the "absorbed constituents-target-pathway" network and explore the functioning mechanism of Xiaoer Fupi Granules. A total of 86 chemical constituents of Xiaoer Fupi Granules were predicted via BATMAN-TCM, among which only 18.6% were detected in rat plasma and urine. Accor-ding to the "absorbed constituents-target-pathway" network, 8 chemical constituents such as stearic acid and caprylic acid capable of regulating gastric acid and insulin secretion may be the critical constituents of Xiaoer Fupi Granules in invigorating spleen and harmonizing stomach. This study identified the critical active constituents and predicted the action mechanism of Xiaoer Fupi Granules, providing the reference for the research on the material basis of Xiaoer Fupi Granules.
Assuntos
Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas , Ratos , Animais , Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas/química , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Farmacologia em Rede , Medicina Tradicional Chinesa , Cromatografia LíquidaRESUMO
To explore the effect of Baihe Dihuang Decoction on the synaptic plasticity of hippocampal neurons in rats with anxious depression. Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, venlafaxine group(6.75 mg·kg~(-1)), high-dose Baihe Dihuang Decoction group(8.64 g·kg~(-1)) and low-dose Baihe Dihuang Decoction group(4.32 g·kg~(-1)). Chronic restraint stress(6 h) combined with corticosterone(ih, 30 mg·kg~(-1)) was used to establish an anxious depression model, and 7 days after modeling, the administration started and continued for 21 days. The anxiety and depression-like behaviors of the rats were evaluated. Golgi-Cox staining and electron microscopy were used to observe the morphology and ultrastructural changes of synaptic dendrites. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of hippocampal synaptic plasticity protein synapsin-1 and postsynaptic density protein 95(PSD-95). Western blot method was used to detect the expression of functional protein synaptophysin(SYP) and synaptic Ras GTPase activating protein(SynGap). The results showed that the rats in the model group had obvious anxiety and depression-like behaviors, the hip-pocampal dendritic spine density and branch length were reduced, the number of synapses was cut, and the internal structure was da-maged. The average fluorescence intensity of synapsin-1 and PSD-95 was significantly reduced and the expression of SYP and SynGap also decreased. High-dose Baihe Dihuang Decoction could significantly improve the anxiety and depression-like behaviors of model rats, relieve synaptic damage, and increase the expression of synapsin-1, PSD-95, SYP, and SynGap proteins. Therefore, we believe that Baihe Dihuang Decoction can improve anxiety and depression behaviors by regulating the synaptic plasticity of hippocampal neurons.
Assuntos
Depressão , Plasticidade Neuronal , Animais , Depressão/tratamento farmacológico , Hipocampo , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , SinapsesRESUMO
Palhinosides A-H (1-8), new flavone glucosidic truxinate esters, including ß-truxinate and µ-truxinate forms, were isolated from Palhinhaea cernua. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and chemical analyses. The flavone glucoside cyclodimers possess a unique cyclobutane ring in their carbon scaffolds. Compounds 2-7 represent three pairs of stereoisomers (2/3, 4/5, 6/7). The protective effects of 1-8 against the damage of HT-22 cells induced by l-glutamate were evaluated, and compounds 4 and 5 showed better neuroprotective effects than the positive control, Trolox.
Assuntos
Flavonas/isolamento & purificação , Lycopodiaceae/química , Triterpenos/isolamento & purificação , Ésteres , Flavonas/química , Glucosídeos , Estrutura Molecular , Fármacos Neuroprotetores , Triterpenos/químicaRESUMO
This paper aimed to predict the active ingredients and action targets of Compound Uncaria Hypotensive Tablet for hypertension based on network pharmacology, and discuss its possible "multi-components, multi-targets, and multi-pathways" mechanism for treatment of hypertension. The integrative pharmacological platform of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM-IP) was used to construct the component target-disease target network of Compound Uncaria Hypotensive Tablet, and the internet analysis method was used to screen the key nodes, on which the pathway enrichment analysis was carried out to explore its possible biological process in the treatment of hypertension. Target network analysis showed that, 35 predicted active ingredients of Compound Uncaria Hypotensive Tablet had a strong interaction with the prostaglandin endogenous peroxidase synthase (PTGS1, PTGS2), ATP synthetase (ATP1A1, ATP5A1, ATP5C1, ATP5B) and other 29 major proteins. Network enriched analysis showed that Compound Uncaria Hypotensive Tablet participated in the regulation of hypertension in different processes of pathology, through 15 pathways such as regulating blood pressure, G protein coupled receptor activation, adrenergic myocardial cell signal transduction and platelet activation. This study revealed the potential active compounds and possible mechanism of Compound Uncaria Hypotensive Tablet for treatment of hypertension, providing theoretical references for further systematic laboratory experiments on effective compounds and action mechanism of Compound Uncaria Hypotensive Tablet.
Assuntos
Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas/uso terapêutico , Hipertensão/tratamento farmacológico , Uncaria , Humanos , Medicina Tradicional Chinesa , Transdução de Sinais , ComprimidosRESUMO
Three new isobenzofuranone derivatives erinaceolactones D-F (1-3), together with four known ones (4-7), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus. Their structures were determined on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analyses including UV, 1D, 2D NMR and HR-TOF-MS. The absolute configuration of erinaceolactone D (1) and erinaceolactone E (2) were assigned by comparing their specific rotation with those of analogs in literatures. The four known compounds were isomers with each other and were isolated simultaneously for the first time.
Assuntos
Basidiomycota/química , Benzofuranos/isolamento & purificação , Carpóforos/química , Benzofuranos/química , Estrutura Molecular , Ressonância Magnética Nuclear BiomolecularRESUMO
A new cyclic diarylheptanoid (1) and a new flavone glucoside (2), along with seven known compounds, were isolated from the green peel of Juglans mandshurica. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analyses. Moreover, the cytotoxicity against NCI-H460, A549, and K562 cancer cells of compounds 1-6 was evaluated. The results showed that compound 3 exhibited moderate inhibitory potency against the growth of three cell lines.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/isolamento & purificação , Diarileptanoides/isolamento & purificação , Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas/isolamento & purificação , Flavonas/isolamento & purificação , Glucosídeos/isolamento & purificação , Juglans/química , Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/química , Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/farmacologia , Diarileptanoides/química , Diarileptanoides/farmacologia , Ensaios de Seleção de Medicamentos Antitumorais , Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas/química , Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas/farmacologia , Flavonas/química , Flavonas/farmacologia , Glucosídeos/química , Glucosídeos/farmacologia , Células Hep G2 , Humanos , Células K562 , Estrutura Molecular , Extratos Vegetais/químicaRESUMO
A pair of new chromone derivative enantiomers, (+)-xylarichromone A (1a) and (-)-xylarichromone A (1b), were isolated from the solid fermentation of Xylaria nigripes. The planar structure of 1 was determined by extensive NMR spectroscopic data, and its absolute configuration was assigned by comparison the ECD spectra with the known chromone derivatives. Compound 1 was the first chromone derivative reported from this medicinal fungus. The neuroprotective effects of 1 against oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) induced pheochromocytoma-12 cells (PC12) injury was investigated.
Assuntos
Ascomicetos , Cromonas , Cromonas/farmacologia , Cromonas/química , Estrutura Molecular , Espectroscopia de Ressonância MagnéticaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Calculus bovis (CB), used in traditional Chinese medicine, exhibits anti-tumor effects in various cancer models. It also constitutes an integral component of a compound formulation known as Pien Tze Huang, which is indicated for the treatment of liver cancer. However, its impact on the liver cancer tumor microenvironment, particularly on tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), is not well understood. AIM: To elucidate the anti-liver cancer effect of CB by inhibiting M2-TAM polarization via Wnt/ß-catenin pathway modulation. METHODS: This study identified the active components of CB using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, evaluated its anti-neoplastic effects in a nude mouse model, and elucidated the underlying mechanisms via network pharmacology, transcriptomics, and molecular docking. In vitro assays were used to investigate the effects of CB-containing serum on HepG2 cells and M2-TAMs, and Wnt pathway modulation was validated by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: This study identified 22 active components in CB, 11 of which were detected in the bloodstream. Preclinical investigations have demonstrated the ability of CB to effectively inhibit liver tumor growth. An integrated approach employing network pharmacology, transcriptomics, and molecular docking implicated the Wnt signaling pathway as a target of the antineoplastic activity of CB by suppressing M2-TAM polarization. In vitro and in vivo experiments further confirmed that CB significantly hinders M2-TAM polarization and suppresses Wnt/ß-catenin pathway activation. The inhibitory effect of CB on M2-TAMs was reversed when treated with the Wnt agonist SKL2001, confirming its pathway specificity. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that CB mediates inhibition of M2-TAM polarization through the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway, contributing to the suppression of liver cancer growth.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Hepáticas , Camundongos Nus , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , Microambiente Tumoral , Macrófagos Associados a Tumor , Via de Sinalização Wnt , Via de Sinalização Wnt/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Neoplasias Hepáticas/patologia , Neoplasias Hepáticas/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Hepáticas/metabolismo , Humanos , Camundongos , Células Hep G2 , Macrófagos Associados a Tumor/metabolismo , Macrófagos Associados a Tumor/efeitos dos fármacos , Macrófagos Associados a Tumor/imunologia , Microambiente Tumoral/efeitos dos fármacos , Ensaios Antitumorais Modelo de Xenoenxerto , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/patologia , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/tratamento farmacológico , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/metabolismo , Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas/farmacologia , Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas/uso terapêutico , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Masculino , Farmacologia em Rede , beta Catenina/metabolismo , Medicina Tradicional Chinesa/métodosRESUMO
Hyperuricemia, characterized by elevated uric acid levels and subsequent crystal deposition, contributing to conditions such as gout, cardiovascular events, and kidney injury, poses a significant health threat, particularly in developed countries. Current drug options for treatment are limited, with safety concerns, leading to suboptimal therapeutic outcomes in symptomatic hyperuricemia patients and a lack of pharmaceutical interventions for asymptomatic cases. Distinguishing from the previous drug design strategies, we directly target uric acid, the pathological molecule of hyperuricemia, resulting in a pyrimidine derivative capable of increasing the solubility and excretion of uric acid by forming a complex with it. Its prodrug showed an anti-hyperuricemia activity comparable to benzbromarone and a favorable safety profile in vivo. Our finding provides a strategy purely based on organic chemistry to address the largely unmet therapeutic needs on novel anti-hyperuricemia drugs.
RESUMO
Two new quinoline alkaloids with an α, ß-unsaturated amide side chain, xylarinines A and B (1 and 2), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extracts of Xylaria longipes solid fermentation. The structures of these were primarily determined though NMR and HRESIMS data analysis. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was assigned using experimental and calculated ECD data. The neuroprotective effects of compounds 1 and 2 against glutamate-induced damage in PC12 cells were evaluated in vitro bioassay. The results demonstrated that both compounds significantly improved cell viability, inhibited apoptosis, decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) levels, and reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. These findings suggested that these mechanisms contribute to the neuroprotective effects of the compounds.
Assuntos
Alcaloides , Apoptose , Fármacos Neuroprotetores , Quinolinas , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio , Xylariales , Células PC12 , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/farmacologia , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Ratos , Quinolinas/farmacologia , Quinolinas/isolamento & purificação , Estrutura Molecular , Alcaloides/farmacologia , Alcaloides/isolamento & purificação , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Xylariales/química , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Superóxido Dismutase/metabolismo , Compostos Fitoquímicos/farmacologia , Compostos Fitoquímicos/isolamento & purificação , Malondialdeído/metabolismo , Glutationa/metabolismo , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , China , Ácido GlutâmicoRESUMO
Uncinataflavone (1), a new flavonoid, together with four known compounds (2-5), was isolated from Selaginella uncinata (Desv.) Spring. Compounds 2 and 3 were isolated from the genus selaginella for the first time. The structure of the new compound was determined as methyl 3-(5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-6-yl)-4-methoxybenzoate by means of spectroscopic evidence, including UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR analyses as well as HR-ESI-MS. These compounds (1-5) were evaluated for the antioxidant activity in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay system.
Assuntos
Antioxidantes/isolamento & purificação , Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas/isolamento & purificação , Flavonoides/isolamento & purificação , Selaginellaceae/química , Antioxidantes/química , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Compostos de Bifenilo/farmacologia , Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas/química , Flavonoides/química , Flavonoides/farmacologia , Estrutura Molecular , Ressonância Magnética Nuclear Biomolecular , Picratos/farmacologiaRESUMO
A new flavonoid, 6-(5-acetyl-2-methoxyphenyl)-apigenin (1), together with nine known compounds (2-10), was isolated from Selaginella uncinata (Desv.) Spring. This is the first report of the spectroscopic data of compound 3. Compound 2 was first reported from this species. The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence, including 1D and 2D NMR as well as HR-EI-MS analysis.
Assuntos
Apigenina/isolamento & purificação , Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas/isolamento & purificação , Selaginellaceae/química , Apigenina/química , Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas/química , Estrutura Molecular , Ressonância Magnética Nuclear BiomolecularRESUMO
Three undescribed methylsuccinic acid derivatives, xylaril acids A-C, and two undescribed enoic acid derivatives, xylaril acids D-E, were isolated from the fungus Xylaria longipes. The structures of the undescribed compounds were deduced by spectroscopic means, including HRESIMS and 1D/2D NMR spectroscopy, as well as ECD calculations. The absolute configuration of xylaril acids A was further determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. All the isolated compounds displayed neuroprotective activities against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion injury in PC12 cells by enhancing cell viability and inhibiting cell apoptosis.
Assuntos
Ascomicetos , Xylariales , Ratos , Animais , Xylariales/química , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Estrutura MolecularRESUMO
Two pairs of new isobenzofuranone derivative enantiomers, (±)-penicifurans E (1) and (±)-penicifurans F (2), together with four know compounds (3-6) were isolated from the solid fermentation of Penicillium canescens DWS225. The structures of these enantiomers were elucidated by extensive NMR spectroscopic data, and their absolute configurations were assigned by the experimental and calculated ECD data. The neuroprotective effects of all the isolates against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion injury in pheochromocytoma-12 cells (PC12) were investigated.
RESUMO
The possible mechanism by which the active components of Anhua fuzhuan tea act on FAM in NAFLD lesions was investigated. 83 components of Anhua fuzhuan tea were analysed by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. Luteolin-7-rutinoside and other compounds were first discovered in fuzhuan tea. According to the TCMSP database and the Molinspiration website tool to predict and review the literature reports, 78 compounds were identified in fuzhuan tea with possible biological activities. The PharmMapper, Swiss target prediction, and SuperPred databases were used to predict the action targets of biologically active compounds. The GeneCards, CTD, and OMIM databases were mined for NAFLD and FAM genes. Then, a fuzhuan Tea-NAFLD-FAM Venn diagram was constructed. Using the STRING database and CytoHubba program of Cytoscape software, protein interaction analysis was performed, and 16 key genes, including PPARG, were screened. GO function and KEGG enrichment analyses of the screened key genes showed that Anhua fuzhuan tea may regulate FAM in the process of NAFLD through the AMPK signalling pathway, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease pathway, etc. After constructing an active ingredient-key target-pathway map with Cytoscape software, combined with literature reports and BioGPS database analysis, we believe that among the 16 key genes, SREBF1, FASN, ACADM, HMGCR, and FABP1 have potential in the treatment of NAFLD. Animal experiments confirmed the effect of Anhua fuzhuan tea in improving NAFLD and confirmed that this tea can interfere with the gene expression of the above five targets by the AMPK/PPAR pathway, providing support for Anhua fuzhuan tea interfering with FAM in NAFLD lesions.
Assuntos
Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas , Hepatopatia Gordurosa não Alcoólica , Animais , Proteínas Quinases Ativadas por AMP/genética , Farmacologia em Rede , Hepatopatia Gordurosa não Alcoólica/tratamento farmacológico , Hepatopatia Gordurosa não Alcoólica/genética , Bases de Dados Factuais , Chá , Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas/farmacologia , Simulação de Acoplamento MolecularRESUMO
Six flavonoids, namely, three undescribed biflavonoids, one undescribed 8-aryl flavonoid, and two known compounds, were isolated from Selaginella tamariscina (P.Beauv.) Spring. The structures and absolute configurations of those undescribed compounds were established by NMR spectroscopy data, HRESIMS analyses and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) analyses. In addition, all the isolates were evaluated for their hypoglycemic activity in HepG2 cells. Involvenflavone H, I, and J significantly increased glucose consumption in both normal and insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. Interestingly, these three compounds can effectively upregulate the protein expression of glucokinase (GCK) and adenylate cyclases (ADCYs). These results suggested that involvenflavone H, I, and J (especially involvenflavone J) may have potent hypoglycemic activity, which also provided promising molecular targets for the treatment of diabetes.
Assuntos
Selaginellaceae , Flavonoides/farmacologia , Hipoglicemiantes/farmacologia , Insulina , Estrutura MolecularRESUMO
Four new resorcinol derivatives, namely (-)/(+)-xylarinig A (1), as well as xylarinigs B (2) and C (3), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extracts of the solid fermentation of Xylaria nigripes. Their structures were established by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis combined with electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compound 1 is an optical mixture, and was resoluted into optical pure enatiomers (+)-1 and (-)-1 by chiral HPLC. The neuroprotective effects of 1-3 against the damage of PC12 cells induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) were evaluated.
Assuntos
Ascomicetos , Fármacos Neuroprotetores , Xylariales , Animais , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/farmacologia , Células PC12 , Ratos , Resorcinóis/farmacologia , Xylariales/químicaRESUMO
A chalcone-flavonone type biflavonoid, trichocladabiflavone A (1), along with eight known biflavonoids (2-9) were isolated from the 70% EtOH extract of Selaginella trichoclada. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses. Compound 1 was the first chalcone-flavonone type biflavonoid reported in the genus Selaginella. Moreover, compound 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against DU145, MCF-7 and PC3 human cancer cell lines.
Assuntos
Biflavonoides , Chalcona , Chalconas , Selaginellaceae , Biflavonoides/química , Biflavonoides/farmacologia , Chalcona/química , Humanos , Estrutura Molecular , Extratos Vegetais/química , Selaginellaceae/químicaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase-B/mechanistic target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signalling pathway is crucial for cell survival, differentiation, apoptosis and metabolism. Xihuang pills (XHP) are a traditional Chinese preparation with antitumour properties. They inhibit the growth of breast cancer, glioma, and other tumours by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. However, the effects and mechanisms of action of XHP in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. Regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway effectively inhibits the progression of HCC. However, no study has focused on the XHP-associated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. Therefore, we hypothesized that XHP might play a role in inhibiting HCC through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. AIM: To confirm the effect of XHP on HCC and the possible mechanisms involved. METHODS: The chemical constituents and active components of XHP were analysed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Cell-based experiments and in vivo xenograft tumour experiments were utilized to evaluate the effect of XHP on HCC tumorigenesis. First, SMMC-7721 cells were incubated with different concentrations of XHP (0, 0.3125, 0.625, 1.25, and 2.5 mg/mL) for 12 h, 24 h and 48 h. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay, followed by an assessment of cell migration using a wound healing assay. Second, the effect of XHP on the apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells was evaluated. SMMC-7721 cells were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate and annexin V/propidium iodide. The number of apoptotic cells and cell cycle distribution were measured using flow cytometry. The cleaved protein and mRNA expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were detected using Western blotting and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), respectively. Third, Western blotting and RT-qPCR were performed to confirm the effects of XHP on the protein and mRNA expression of components of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. Finally, the effects of XHP on the tumorigenesis of subcutaneous hepatocellular tumours in nude mice were assessed. RESULTS: The following 12 compounds were identified in XHP using high-resolution mass spectrometry: Valine, 4-gingerol, myrrhone, ricinoleic acid, glycocholic acid, curzerenone, 11-keto-ß-boswellic acid, oleic acid, germacrone, 3-acetyl-9,11-dehydro-ß-boswellic acid, 5ß-androstane-3,17-dione, and 3-acetyl-11-keto-ß-boswellic acid. The cell viability assay results showed that treatment with 0.625 mg/mL XHP extract decreased HCC cell viability after 12 h, and the effects were dose- and time-dependent. The results of the cell scratch assay showed that the migration of HCC cells was significantly inhibited in a time-dependent manner by the administration of XHP extract (0.625 mg/mL). Moreover, XHP significantly inhibited cell migration and resulted in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, XHP downregulated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, which activated apoptosis executioner proteins (e.g., caspase-9 and caspase-3). The inhibitory effects of XHP on HCC cell growth were determined in vivo by analysing the tumour xenograft volumes and weights. CONCLUSION: XHP inhibited HCC cell growth and migration by stimulating apoptosis via the downregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, followed by the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Our findings clarified that the antitumour effects of XHP on HCC cells are mediated by the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, revealing that XHP may be a potential complementary therapy for HCC.