New insights into hepatocellular carcinoma: Salvia miltiorrhiza compounds show promise

Researchers have made significant strides in understanding the potential therapeutic effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most prevalent and lethal forms of liver cancer. A study published in Current Pharmaceutical Analysis utilized computational analysis and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to identify key biomarkers and explore the role of Salvia miltiorrhiza compounds in HCC.

The study identified three biomarkers—AURKB, HDAC11, and AKR1C3—that showed strong diagnostic potential. "These biomarkers exhibited high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing HCC, suggesting they could serve as valuable targets for further research," said Guangxin Cao, one of the lead authors of the study. The researchers also constructed a diagnostic nomogram model using these biomarkers, which demonstrated high predictive accuracy.

Furthermore, the study found that three compounds from Salvia miltiorrhiza—Ethinylestradiol, β-Estradiol, and 16α-Hydroxyestrone—could stably bind to AKR1C3, potentially inhibiting HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. "Our in vitro experiments showed that β-Estradiol significantly suppressed the growth and invasive capabilities of HCC cells by targeting AKR1C3," said Xiaohui Jiang, another lead author.

This research provides a theoretical foundation for further exploration into the pathogenesis of HCC and offers new diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. Future work will focus on validating these findings through clinical trials and exploring the therapeutic potential of Salvia miltiorrhiza compounds in HCC treatment.