Background Hypopharyngeal cancer is increasingly emerging as a disease that threatens global health, with poor prognosis and survival rates. However, clinical strategies and effective therapies remain limited. Methods The inhibitory effect of liensinine on tumor cells was detected through cell cycle, colony formation, and apoptosis assays. Changes in the expression levels of relevant proteins were detected and enrichment analysis of signaling pathways was performed through in vitro and RNA sequencing experiments. The transcription levels of relevant genes were further verified using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results We previously discovered that the natural compound, liensinine, is effective in treating hypopharyngeal cancer. In this study, we found through in vitro and RNA sequencing experiments that liensinine can activate the Ras homolog family member B protein, thereby inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Additionally, liensinine activates the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway and releases downstream inflammatory factors, effectively exerting its antitumor effects. Conclusion Liensinine induces cell death and inhibits hypopharyngeal cancer cell growth through multiple pathways, indicating that it is a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of hypopharyngeal cancer.
Chen et al. (Sun,) studied this question.