Efficacy and mechanisms of Angelica sinensis in treating endometrial cancer: an integrated study

Abstract Background Angelica-based formulas can improve quality of life in patients with endometrial cancer. However, the results remain controversial, and their mechanisms of action are unclear. In this study, we systematically explored the effects and mechanism of action of Angelica sinensis (AS)...

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Main Authors: Zhenyi Li, Congchao Jia, Yiqian Zhou, Qin Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-05-01
Series:Discover Oncology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02619-8
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author Zhenyi Li
Congchao Jia
Yiqian Zhou
Qin Wang
author_facet Zhenyi Li
Congchao Jia
Yiqian Zhou
Qin Wang
author_sort Zhenyi Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Angelica-based formulas can improve quality of life in patients with endometrial cancer. However, the results remain controversial, and their mechanisms of action are unclear. In this study, we systematically explored the effects and mechanism of action of Angelica sinensis (AS) in endometrial cancer (EC) using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese Science and Technology Journals (CQVIP), China Academic Journals (CNKI), Wanfang, and Chinese Biomedical Literature database (SinoMed). Nine randomized controlled trials were enrolled in the study. In network pharmacology, ingredients of Angelica sinensis were screened, endometrial cancer related genes were then identified and the 'Herb-Ingredient-Target-Disease' network constructed. Molecular docking was finally employed for in silico simulation matching between representative Angelica sinensis ingredients and their target genes. Results The meta-analysis of this research provides evidence to support the efficacy of angelica-based formulas in the treatment of endometrial cancer. Network pharmacology demonstrated that EGFR, TP53, CTNNB1, CCND1, and HRAS are the core targets of endometrial cancer, and ferulic acid and caffeic acid are the major bioactive ingredients of Angelica sinensis. Molecular docking showed that ferulic acid and caffeic acid can closely bind core targets. Conclusions Our study is the first to systematically apply bioinformatics methods—including meta-analysis, network pharmacology, and molecular docking—to explore the pharmacological and molecular mechanisms of Angelica sinensis in endometrial cancer treatment. Results of our study provide valuable scientific insights into the underlying mechanisms of Angelica sinensis in the treatment of endometrial cancer, serving as a crucial foundation for future research in this area.
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spelling doaj-art-29ffe544df6d43b78e8bba64c4a1328a2025-08-20T03:48:18ZengSpringerDiscover Oncology2730-60112025-05-0116111610.1007/s12672-025-02619-8Efficacy and mechanisms of Angelica sinensis in treating endometrial cancer: an integrated studyZhenyi Li0Congchao Jia1Yiqian Zhou2Qin Wang3Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer CenterClinical Medical College, Southwest Medical UniversitySichuan Provincial Center for Gynecology and Breast Diseases (Gynecology), Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical UniversityAbstract Background Angelica-based formulas can improve quality of life in patients with endometrial cancer. However, the results remain controversial, and their mechanisms of action are unclear. In this study, we systematically explored the effects and mechanism of action of Angelica sinensis (AS) in endometrial cancer (EC) using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese Science and Technology Journals (CQVIP), China Academic Journals (CNKI), Wanfang, and Chinese Biomedical Literature database (SinoMed). Nine randomized controlled trials were enrolled in the study. In network pharmacology, ingredients of Angelica sinensis were screened, endometrial cancer related genes were then identified and the 'Herb-Ingredient-Target-Disease' network constructed. Molecular docking was finally employed for in silico simulation matching between representative Angelica sinensis ingredients and their target genes. Results The meta-analysis of this research provides evidence to support the efficacy of angelica-based formulas in the treatment of endometrial cancer. Network pharmacology demonstrated that EGFR, TP53, CTNNB1, CCND1, and HRAS are the core targets of endometrial cancer, and ferulic acid and caffeic acid are the major bioactive ingredients of Angelica sinensis. Molecular docking showed that ferulic acid and caffeic acid can closely bind core targets. Conclusions Our study is the first to systematically apply bioinformatics methods—including meta-analysis, network pharmacology, and molecular docking—to explore the pharmacological and molecular mechanisms of Angelica sinensis in endometrial cancer treatment. Results of our study provide valuable scientific insights into the underlying mechanisms of Angelica sinensis in the treatment of endometrial cancer, serving as a crucial foundation for future research in this area.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02619-8Angelica sinensisFerulic acidCaffeic acidEndometrial cancerNetwork pharmacologyMolecular docking
spellingShingle Zhenyi Li
Congchao Jia
Yiqian Zhou
Qin Wang
Efficacy and mechanisms of Angelica sinensis in treating endometrial cancer: an integrated study
Discover Oncology
Angelica sinensis
Ferulic acid
Caffeic acid
Endometrial cancer
Network pharmacology
Molecular docking
title Efficacy and mechanisms of Angelica sinensis in treating endometrial cancer: an integrated study
title_full Efficacy and mechanisms of Angelica sinensis in treating endometrial cancer: an integrated study
title_fullStr Efficacy and mechanisms of Angelica sinensis in treating endometrial cancer: an integrated study
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy and mechanisms of Angelica sinensis in treating endometrial cancer: an integrated study
title_short Efficacy and mechanisms of Angelica sinensis in treating endometrial cancer: an integrated study
title_sort efficacy and mechanisms of angelica sinensis in treating endometrial cancer an integrated study
topic Angelica sinensis
Ferulic acid
Caffeic acid
Endometrial cancer
Network pharmacology
Molecular docking
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02619-8
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AT yiqianzhou efficacyandmechanismsofangelicasinensisintreatingendometrialcanceranintegratedstudy
AT qinwang efficacyandmechanismsofangelicasinensisintreatingendometrialcanceranintegratedstudy