Mass spectrometry‐based metabolomics is a useful strategy for characterizing metabolic remodeling in cancer cells and evaluating complex botanical formulations. This study investigated the anti–breast cancer effects of Shentong Zhuyu Decoction (STZYD) by integrating UPLC‐QTOF/MS–based chemical profiling, untargeted metabolomics, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and Western blotting. STZYD inhibited the viability of MDA‐MB‐231 and MCF‐7 cells in a dose‐dependent manner, with IC 50 values of 11.57 and 18.26 mg/mL, respectively. UPLC‐QTOF/MS initially detected 2493 chromatographic‐mass spectrometric features in the STZYD extract, which were curated into 889 nonredundant putatively annotated compounds. Cellular metabolomics revealed 233 differential metabolites, with glycolysis/gluconeogenesis being one of the most significantly enriched pathways. STZYD treatment altered the abundance of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis‐related metabolites, including d ‐glucose, G6P/F6P, PEP, pyruvate, and lactate, suggesting glycolysis‐related metabolic remodeling. Network pharmacology and molecular docking predicted the PI3K/AKT axis as a potential regulatory pathway. Western blotting showed that STZYD decreased PI3K, AKT, p‐PI3K, and p‐AKT levels. These findings suggest that STZYD exerts anti–breast cancer effects in vitro, at least partly through PI3K/AKT‐associated glycolysis‐related metabolic remodeling.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Yang et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: