Discovery of natural compound capable of inhibiting the growth of liver cancer

A research team at Tianjin University (China) has just announced the discovery that the natural compound silybin, extracted from traditional medicinal herbs, has the ability to inhibit the growth of liver cancer through a mechanism that interferes with the transport of lactate - an important metabolite that helps nourish cancer cells.

Lactate is a byproduct of energy metabolism in cancer cells. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells can produce lactate even under oxygen-rich conditions (Warburg phenomenon).

Excess lactate not only promotes tumor growth and metastasis, but also impairs immune system function.

To control intracellular lactate levels, cancer cells use a transport channel called MCT1 (Monocarboxylate Transporter 1) to push lactate out, while providing an energy source for neighboring cancer cells.

Through structural and biological activity analysis of MCT1, researchers discovered key interaction sites between amino acids in lactate transport.

From there, they screened and identified silybin – a flavonolignan found in milk thistle – as having the ability to bind to the active site of MCT1, thereby disrupting lactate transport function.

Using silybin to inhibit MCT1, causes lactate to accumulate intracellularly, disrupts the metabolic environment inside cancer cells, and ultimately leads to inhibition of cancer cell proliferation.

Results from cell culture models and preclinical animal trials show that silybin is significantly effective in slowing the growth of liver tumors.

This is a positive signal for the development of cancer therapies based on metabolic intervention.

Professor Diep Thang - head of the research shared: "Our research not only sheds light on the role of MCT1 in cancer biology but also opens up new directions in the development of anti-cancer drugs from natural sources. Silybin has the potential to become part of future liver cancer treatment regimens."

This study marks an important step forward in the effort to find more effective, safe and less side-effect-prone cancer treatments, especially in the context of increasing demand for personalized treatment./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/phat-hien-hop-chat-tu-nhien-co-kha-nang-uc-che-su-phat-trien-cua-ung-thu-gan-post1025041.vnp