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Dryad

Esculetin inhibited PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and enhances anti-colorectal cancer activity via binding to ENO1

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Jul 10, 2025 version files 11.52 MB

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignant tumor globally and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Currently, although the standard treatment for CRC is a combination of surgery and chemotherapy, metastasis and recurrence are often associated with a poor prognosis. In our preliminary research, we found that Esc has anti-colon cancer effects both in vivo and in vitro. However, its specific target sites and molecular mechanisms still lack in-depth exploration and remain unclear. Therefore, we employed transcriptomics technology to analyze the complex interactions between the drug and its targets, thereby conducting a comprehensive evaluation. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-tumor properties of Esc in colorectal cancer, we performed RNA sequencing for whole-genome expression analysis on HCT116 cell samples treated with Esc. Through enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes, we revealed that Esc is likely to intervene in the development of colorectal cancer by regulating these signaling pathway processes. This finding provides a more solid evidence base for the development of new anti-tumor drugs with enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity.