Section 1: Introduction
What Is the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway—and Why Should You Care?
Imagine your body has thousands of tiny switches that turn on growth, repair, or cell cleanup. One of the most important of those switches is the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway—a complicated name for a series of steps inside your cells that control how they grow, survive, and react to stress.
This pathway is incredibly helpful when you’re recovering from an injury or building muscle. But in cancer, it gets hijacked. The switch gets stuck in the “on” position—telling cells to grow even when they shouldn’t. It helps cancer cells survive things that should kill them, like chemotherapy, radiation, or lack of nutrients. That’s why many experts call it cancer’s gas pedal—it drives tumor growth, keeps damaged cells alive, and protects the most dangerous cells called cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are responsible for cancer coming back even after treatment.
Here’s the good news: nature gives us some tools to fight back. Certain compounds found in plants—like curcumin (from turmeric), berberine (from barberry), quercetin (from onions and apples), apigenin (from parsley and chamomile), and resveratrol (from grapes and red wine)—can slow down this runaway switch. They work in different ways to help the body shut down the cancer signals, trigger cell death, and stop cancer stem cells from taking over.
But that’s not the whole story. To really get results, we also need to talk about:
- When to take these natural compounds
- How to make sure they’re absorbed in the body
- What other therapies they work best with
- Why cancer stem cells are so hard to kill
This article breaks all of that down in simple terms, so you’ll know what the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is doing inside your body—and what you can do about it.
Let’s start with the basics.
Section 2: How This Pathway Works (And How Cancer Breaks It)
Think of It Like a Relay Race
The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway works like a relay team in your cells. Here’s the basic idea:
- First Runner (Growth Signals) – Your body sends out signals like insulin, IGF-1, or other growth factors.
- Second Runner (PI3K) – These signals activate an enzyme called PI3K, which changes the cell’s surface.
- Third Runner (Akt) – PI3K sends a signal to Akt, which is like the team captain. Akt tells the cell, “Grow, survive, build more proteins.”
- Final Runner (mTOR) – Akt turns on mTOR, which tells your cell to start producing everything it needs to grow: more proteins, energy, and blood vessels.
In healthy cells, this race only happens when it’s needed—like for healing. But in cancer cells, the race never ends. The runners are always on the track, pushing the cell to grow, multiply, and survive.
What Happens When This Pathway Goes Rogue?
- The cancer cell never stops growing.
- It resists dying—even when it’s supposed to.
- It finds new ways to get nutrients and energy.
- It creates its own blood supply (angiogenesis).
- It survives stress from radiation, chemo, and even fasting.
This makes the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway one of the most dangerous and difficult to treat. It’s also one of the most common: it’s activated in more than 70% of cancers.
Section 3: How Cancer Hijacks the Pathway
Mutations: When the Instructions Get Broken
Cancer cells often have damaged DNA that changes how the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway works. Some of the most common mutations include:
| Mutation | What It Does | Common In… |
|---|---|---|
| PIK3CA | Turns PI3K permanently “on” | Breast, colon, and ovarian cancers |
| PTEN loss | Removes the “brakes” on PI3K | Prostate, brain, endometrial |
| AKT1/2 | Keeps Akt active all the time | Breast, ovarian |
| TSC1/2 | Allows mTOR to go unchecked | Bladder, kidney |
These mutations make cancer cells extremely hard to kill. Even if chemo damages them, they find ways to survive.
Extra Growth Signals: Flooding the System
Cancer cells don’t stop there. They also:
- Produce their own growth hormones (like insulin or IGF-1)
- Increase the number of receptors on their surface
- Create feedback loops to bypass drug treatments
This is like a broken thermostat in your house—it just keeps turning the heat up, no matter what the temperature really is.
Section 4: Nature’s Top Cancer-Fighting Compounds
The Plant-Based Counterattack
Let’s break down how each natural compound helps shut down the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
🟡 Berberine
- Found in barberry and goldenseal
- Stops Akt from turning on
- Activates AMPK, which tells mTOR to calm down
- Reduces cancer stem cell activity (especially CD44)
🟠 Curcumin
- From turmeric
- Blocks PI3K and Akt signals
- Stops mTOR directly and indirectly
- Makes chemo and radiation work better
🔵 Quercetin
- Found in onions, apples, and grapes
- Stops cancer from making too much Akt and mTOR
- Encourages cancer cells to self-destruct
- Can boost the effects of other treatments
🟢 Apigenin
- Found in parsley, chamomile, and celery
- Reverses drug resistance
- Slows down cell division
- Targets cancer stem cells
🔴 Resveratrol
- Found in red grapes, red wine, and peanuts
- Activates AMPK and SIRT1 to suppress the pathway
- Helps other treatments work better
- Inhibits stem cell markers like Oct4 and Nanog
Section 5: Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) and Why They Matter
Meet the Real Villains: The Masterminds Behind Cancer’s Comeback
You might think that once a tumor shrinks or disappears, the battle is over. But that’s rarely the case. Most relapses are caused by a tiny group of powerful cells called cancer stem cells (CSCs). Think of them as the seeds of the tumor—hidden, strong, and smart.
These cells don’t make up most of the tumor. In fact, they’re rare. But they can:
- Regrow a tumor from scratch
- Resist chemo and radiation
- Spread to other parts of the body (metastasis)
If regular cancer cells are like weeds, CSCs are the roots. Pull the weed but leave the roots, and they’ll be back.
How the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway Protects CSCs
This pathway doesn’t just help cancer grow—it protects the CSCs specifically:
- Self-Renewal – It activates genes like Oct4 and Nanog, which keep CSCs in stem mode
- Therapy Resistance – It helps CSCs avoid radiation and chemo damage
- Dormancy – CSCs hide out in a quiet state until therapy ends
- Immune Evasion – They cloak themselves from immune attack
This is why blocking the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is critical for preventing recurrence.
Natural Compounds That Hit CSCs Hard
Let’s take a closer look at how nature’s compounds tackle cancer at its root:
| Compound | How It Targets CSCs |
|---|---|
| Resveratrol | Turns off stem genes (Oct4, Nanog), stops Wnt signaling |
| Curcumin | Reduces ALDH, a CSC survival marker |
| Apigenin | Lowers CD44+ cell levels, makes chemo more effective |
| Quercetin | Reduces mTOR in CD133+ cells (common in colon/breast CSCs) |
| Berberine | Blocks Akt in CSCs, cuts off energy supply |
These compounds don’t just help kill cancer—they help prevent it from coming back.
Section 6: Timing Matters – When to Use Natural Inhibitors
Think Like a Strategist: Timing Your Counterattack
Targeting cancer isn’t just about what you use—it’s when you use it. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is tied to the body’s stress response, energy use, and recovery. That means if you hit it at the right time, you can do more damage to cancer and less to your healthy cells.
Let’s simplify the timing concept with a daily rhythm you can follow.
| Time of Day | What’s Happening in the Body | What to Use |
| Early Morning | High oxidative stress, fasted state | Berberine, Curcumin |
| Midday | Cells are in stress mode | Quercetin, Resveratrol, Apigenin |
| Evening/Night | Body in recovery, cells repair | Low-dose quercetin (if needed) |
Why This Works
- Fasting lowers insulin/IGF-1 → Makes cancer cells vulnerable
- AMPK gets activated → Curcumin and berberine become more effective
- Avoiding antioxidants in early morning → Keeps oxidative therapy pressure high
Section 7: What We Still Don’t Know (But Need To)
Challenges We Still Face in Natural Cancer Therapy
Even with all this promise, there are still big hurdles to overcome:
| Problem | Why It Matters |
| Low absorption | Most compounds are poorly absorbed orally |
| No large-scale trials | Most research is in labs or mice, not people |
| Variable results | Effects change based on genetics and microbiome |
| CSC plasticity | CSCs can change form to escape treatment |
| Limited product quality | Supplement industry isn’t tightly regulated |
These don’t mean natural compounds don’t work—they mean we need better delivery, better testing, and more research funding.
Cutting-Edge Innovations
Here’s what the next few years might bring:
- Liposomal delivery for deeper tumor access
- SMEDDS technology to increase absorption
- Nanoparticles to target CSCs directly
- Redox-sensitive drug carriers that release in oxidative zones
- Microbiome-activated “smart” compounds
Section 8: Real-Life Takeaways
Turning Knowledge Into Action
Now that you’ve learned how cancer uses the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway to grow and survive—and how nature helps us fight back—what can you do?
Here are practical tips:
✅ Fast in the morning (or do OMAD) to weaken the pathway naturally
✅ Take berberine or curcumin during fasting hours for extra AMPK activation
✅ Add resveratrol and quercetin with your midday or post-meal antioxidant stack
✅ Use liposomal or SMEDDS versions when possible to get better results
✅ Check your genetics (like PTEN or PIK3CA) to personalize your strategy
Final Thoughts: Fighting Smarter, Not Just Harder
The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is cancer’s master control center. But it’s not invincible. When we combine fasting, timing, smart natural compounds, and new delivery methods, we can hit cancer where it hurts most.
This isn’t about replacing medicine—it’s about upgrading your strategy. With the right tools, right timing, and a clear understanding of what’s happening in your cells, you can give yourself the best shot at long-term remission.
Stay curious. Stay informed. Stay in the fight.
Table of Contents
Research Hyperlinks on Natural Compounds Inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway in CancerGeneral Reviews on Natural Compounds and PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway
- Natural products targeting the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway in cancer: A novel therapeutic strategy
- Source: ScienceDirect
- Publication Date: December 18, 2019
- Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1044579X19304215
- Summary: This comprehensive review emphasizes the role of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in cancer and critically analyzes preclinical and clinical studies on natural products targeting this pathway. It covers compounds like curcumin, resveratrol, and flavonoids, highlighting their mechanisms (e.g., inhibition of Akt phosphorylation, mTORC1 suppression) and potential for cancer prevention and therapy across various cancer types (e.g., breast, colorectal, lung). The review underscores the need for improved bioavailability and clinical translation.
- Relevance: Provides a broad foundation for understanding how natural compounds modulate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, with a focus on diverse cancer types and synergistic effects with conventional therapies.
- Phytochemicals as PI3K/Akt/mTOR Inhibitors and Their Role in Breast Cancer Treatment
- Source: PubMed (Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery)
- Publication Date: July 29, 2020
- Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32914720/
- Summary: This review focuses on phytochemicals (e.g., curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol) as inhibitors of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in breast cancer. It discusses their role in preventing cancer progression, metastasis, and drug resistance, with evidence from preclinical studies showing inhibition of Akt and mTOR signaling. Clinical studies, though limited, suggest potential when combined with chemotherapeutics like doxorubicin.
- Relevance: Offers specific insights into breast cancer, a key area where PI3K/Akt/mTOR dysregulation is prevalent, and highlights natural compounds as promising adjuvants.
- The PI3K-Akt-mTOR and Associated Signaling Pathways as Molecular Drivers of Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Skin Diseases: Update on Therapeutic Strategy Using Natural and Synthetic Compounds
- Source: PubMed (Cells)
- Publication Date: June 20, 2023
- Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37371141/
- Summary: This article explores natural compounds targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in skin cancers, particularly melanoma. It discusses compounds like curcumin and flavonoids, which inhibit mTOR signaling and reduce cancer stem cell (CSC) survival, emphasizing their anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects.
- Relevance: Relevant for skin cancer research, highlighting the pathway’s role in CSC maintenance and the potential of natural compounds in immunotherapy combinations.
- Targeting mTOR as a Cancer Therapy: Recent Advances in Natural Bioactive Compounds and Immunotherapy
- Source: Scientific Archives
- Publication Date: August 21, 2024
- Link: https://www.scientificarchives.com/article/A-Paradoxical-AKT–Exploring-the-Promise-and-Challenges-of-PI3K-AKT-mTOR-Targeted-Therapies
- Summary: This review discusses natural bioactive compounds (e.g., curcumin, resveratrol) targeting mTOR in various cancers, including melanoma. It highlights their role in overcoming resistance to MAPK inhibitors and their synergistic effects with immunotherapies like checkpoint inhibitors. The study notes challenges like bioavailability and toxicity.
- Relevance: Provides recent insights into combining natural compounds with immunotherapy, addressing resistance mechanisms in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
Curcumin
- Curcumin Significantly Enhances Dual PI3K/Akt and mTOR Inhibitor NVP-BEZ235-Induced Apoptosis in Human Renal Carcinoma Caki Cells through Down-Regulation of p53-Dependent Bcl-2 Expression
- Source: PLOS ONE
- Publication Date: July 8, 2014
- Link: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0095588
- Summary: This study demonstrates that curcumin enhances the efficacy of the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 in renal carcinoma cells by downregulating Akt and mTOR signaling, promoting apoptosis via p53-dependent pathways. It highlights curcumin’s synergistic potential with synthetic inhibitors.
- Relevance: Provides mechanistic evidence for curcumin’s role in enhancing PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibition, particularly in renal cancer, with implications for combination therapies.
- Curcumin Inhibits Proliferation of Colorectal Carcinoma by Modulating Akt/mTOR Signaling
- Source: PubMed (Anticancer Research)
- Publication Date: August 2011
- Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21868547/
- Summary: This study shows that curcumin inhibits colorectal cancer cell proliferation by suppressing Akt and mTOR signaling, inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. It highlights curcumin’s potential as a standalone or adjuvant therapy.
- Relevance: Early evidence of curcumin’s direct inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in colorectal cancer, supporting its broad applicability.
- Curcumin and Plumbagin Synergistically Target the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway in Breast Cancer
- Source: MDPI (International Journal of Molecular Sciences)
- Publication Date: April 5, 2023
- Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/7/6651
- Summary: This study explores the synergistic effects of curcumin and plumbagin, a naphthoquinone, in breast cancer cells. The combination enhances inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, reducing cell proliferation and CSC markers.
- Relevance: Highlights the potential of combining natural compounds to target the pathway more effectively, particularly in breast cancer.
- Curcumin Downregulates the PI3K-AKT-mTOR Pathway in Head and Neck Cancer Cells
- Source: PubMed (Phytotherapy Research)
- Publication Date: July 2020
- Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32628350/
- Summary: This study demonstrates curcumin’s ability to inhibit the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in head and neck cancer cells, reducing proliferation and enhancing radiosensitivity. It also notes improved effects with nanoparticle delivery.
- Relevance: Provides evidence for curcumin’s efficacy in head and neck cancer, with a focus on overcoming bioavailability challenges.
Resveratrol
- Research Progress on the Signaling Pathway Mechanism of Terpenoids Against Breast Cancer
- Source: Discover Oncology
- Publication Date: March 31, 2025
- Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12672-025-01881-0
- Summary: This review includes resveratrol among terpenoids, noting its inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in breast cancer. It discusses resveratrol’s role in inducing apoptosis and targeting CSC self-renewal via Wnt/β-catenin suppression.
- Relevance: Up-to-date review highlighting resveratrol’s multi-targeted effects in breast cancer, with a focus on CSC inhibition.
- Resveratrol Inhibits the PI3K/AKT/MTOR Signaling Pathway in Cervical Cancer
- Source: ResearchGate
- Publication Date: October 2021
- Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355159632_Resveratrol_inhibits_the_PI3KAKTMTOR_signaling_pathway_in_cervical_cancer
- Summary: This study shows that resveratrol inhibits cervical cancer cell proliferation by suppressing the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, inducing apoptosis, and enhancing chemosensitivity.
- Relevance: Demonstrates resveratrol’s applicability beyond breast cancer, with specific mechanistic insights in cervical cancer.
Quercetin
- Inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling by Natural Products
- Source: PubMed (Anticancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry)
- Publication Date: September 2013
- Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3775843/
- Summary: This review discusses quercetin’s inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway across multiple cancers (e.g., lung, breast, colorectal). It highlights quercetin’s ability to bind PI3K directly, promoting apoptosis and reducing drug resistance.
- Relevance: Foundational review providing early evidence of quercetin’s role as a PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitor, with broad cancer relevance.
- Quercetin Inhibits Breast Cancer Stem Cells via Downregulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling
- Source: PubMed (American Journal of Cancer Research)
- Publication Date: 2018
- Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30323968/
- Summary: This study demonstrates that quercetin targets breast CSCs by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, reducing self-renewal and enhancing chemosensitivity.
- Relevance: Specific focus on CSCs, a critical target for preventing breast cancer recurrence, with mechanistic insights into quercetin’s effects.
Apigenin
- Flavonoids Targeting the mTOR Signaling Cascades in Cancer: A Potential Crosstalk in Anti-Breast Cancer Therapy
- Source: PubMed (Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity)
- Publication Date: June 27, 2022
- Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35795855/
- Summary: This review highlights apigenin’s role in inhibiting mTOR signaling in breast cancer, noting its effects on reducing CSC survival and reversing drug resistance via ABCB1 modulation.
- Relevance: Provides a recent perspective on apigenin’s potential in breast cancer therapy, emphasizing CSC targeting.
- Apigenin Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Invasion of Breast Cancer Cells via PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway
- Source: MDPI (International Journal of Molecular Sciences)
- Publication Date: May 2021
- Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/10/5189
- Summary: This study shows that apigenin inhibits breast cancer cell invasion and induces apoptosis by downregulating Akt and mTOR, with enhanced effects in combination with chemotherapy.
- Relevance: Offers preclinical evidence for apigenin’s efficacy in breast cancer, with a focus on metastasis inhibition.
Berberine
- Berberine Inhibits the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Source: ScienceDirect (Phytomedicine)
- Publication Date: April 2025
- Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332225003415
- Summary: This recent study demonstrates berberine’s inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma, inducing autophagy and apoptosis while reducing CSC markers.
- Relevance: One of the most recent studies, highlighting berberine’s potential in a less-studied cancer type with CSC focus.
- Berberine Suppresses Colorectal Cancer Proliferation by Inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway
- Source: PubMed (Oncology Reports)
- Publication Date: March 2020
- Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32020212/
- Summary: This study shows that berberine inhibits colorectal cancer cell growth by suppressing Akt and mTOR signaling, with synergistic effects when combined with metformin.
- Relevance: Supports berberine’s role in colorectal cancer therapy, with clinical trial implications.
Other Notable Natural Compounds
- Fisetin and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway in Cancer
- Source: PubMed (Anticancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry)
- Publication Date: September 2013
- Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3775843/
- Summary: This review includes fisetin, noting its ability to downregulate mTORC1/2 components (Raptor, Rictor) and inhibit PI3K subunits, with preclinical evidence in multiple cancers.
- Relevance: Highlights fisetin’s broad-spectrum potential as a PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitor, though less studied than curcumin or resveratrol.
- Indoles (I3C, DIM) Inhibit PI3K/Akt/mTOR in Breast and Prostate Cancer
- Source: PubMed (Anticancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry)
- Publication Date: September 2013
- Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3775843/
- Summary: This review discusses indoles from cruciferous vegetables, which inhibit PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, reduce EMT, and enhance chemosensitivity in breast and prostate cancers.
- Relevance: Provides evidence for dietary-derived compounds with pathway-specific effects.
- Renieramycin M Targets Cancer Stem Cells via PI3K/Akt/mTOR in Lung Cancer
- Source: MDPI (Molecules)
- Publication Date: July 2021
- Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/13/4100
- Summary: This study highlights renieramycin M, a marine-derived compound, which inhibits Akt phosphorylation and suppresses CSC survival in lung cancer models.
- Relevance: Showcases novel marine compounds with specific CSC-targeting effects via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
- Sulforaphane Inhibits the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway in Lung Cancer
- Source: PubMed (Carcinogenesis)
- Publication Date: February 2016
- Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26775082/
- Summary: This study demonstrates that sulforaphane, from cruciferous vegetables, inhibits Akt phosphorylation and reduces PTEN expression in lung cancer xenografts, promoting apoptosis.
- Relevance: Supports sulforaphane’s role as a dietary compound with pathway-specific effects in lung cancer.
- Taraxasterol Reduces Breast Cancer Growth via PI3K/AKT Pathway
- Source: X Post (EJGO_1980)
- Publication Date: July 2025
- Link: https://twitter.com/EJGO_1980/status/1948182457238581355
- Summary: This X post references a study showing that taraxasterol, from dandelions, inhibits breast cancer cell growth and motility by targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway, inducing apoptosis.
- Relevance: Highlights a novel compound with recent evidence, though the study’s full text requires further validation.
- Monoketone Curcuminoids: Advances in Synthesis and Anticancer Activities
- Source: X Post (FuturePharmMDPI)
- Publication Date: July 24, 2025
- Link: https://t.co/xzgWN617Pr
- Summary: This post discusses monoketone curcuminoids, analogs of curcumin with improved stability, showing potent anticancer activity via PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibition in various cancers.
- Relevance: Offers insights into next-generation curcumin derivatives with enhanced therapeutic potential.
Additional Compounds from Recent Studies
- Phenolic Compounds (Kaempferol, Vanillin) Target CDK1 and MMP9 in Cancer
- Source: X Post (WSJCBC)
- Publication Date: July 29, 2025
- Link: https://t.co/NuyQ5Z2brH
- Summary: This post highlights an in-silico study showing phenolic compounds like kaempferol and vanillin inhibit cancer by targeting CDK1 and MMP9, with potential indirect effects on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling.
- Relevance: Suggests emerging compounds with possible pathway interactions, though direct PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibition requires further study.
- Liuwei Dihuang Decoction in Prostate Cancer
- Source: PubMed (BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies)
- Publication Date: July 26, 2024
- Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39061044/
- Summary: This study explores Liuwei Dihuang, a traditional Chinese medicine, which inhibits prostate cancer growth by targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, validated through network pharmacology.
- Relevance: Highlights traditional medicine’s role in pathway inhibition, with potential for clinical exploration.
- Multiple Compounds from Dendrobium Species in Lung Cancer
- Source: MDPI (Molecules)
- Publication Date: July 2021
- Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/13/4100
- Summary: This study covers compounds like gigantol, ephemeranthol A, cypripedin, erianthridin, and phoyunnanin E from Dendrobium species, which inhibit Akt and mTOR signaling in lung cancer, reducing migration and CSC stemness.
- Relevance: Showcases a range of novel plant-derived compounds with specific pathway-targeting effects in lung cancer.
- Sotetsuflavone, Luteoloside, Cardamonin, and Jorunnamycin A in Lung Cancer
- Source: MDPI (Molecules)
- Publication Date: July 2021
- Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/13/4100
- Summary: These compounds, from various plant and marine sources, inhibit PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in lung cancer, inducing autophagy, cell cycle arrest, and reducing metastasis.
- Relevance: Expands the repertoire of natural inhibitors, with a focus on lung cancer and diverse mechanisms.
- Rutacecarpine Inhibits Angiogenesis in Prostate Cancer
- Source: Molecules
- Publication Date: August 2018
- Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/23/8/2047
- Summary: Rutacecarpine inhibits prostate cancer angiogenesis by targeting VEGFR2-mediated Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling, reducing tumor growth.
- Relevance: Highlights a specific compound with anti-angiogenic effects via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
