Zuojin Pill inhibits the proliferation of esophageal cancer cells by inducing ROS production and apoptosis via regulation of PI3K/Akt signalling

This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of Zuojin Pill (ZJP) on KYSE 150 cells and xenograft tumours of the digestive tract cancer – esophageal cancer (EC) and its underlying mechanism. Initially, in vivo research demonstrated that oral administration of ZJP effectively inhibited the growth of EC tumours, and in vitro studies revealed that ZJP suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cells. Then, network pharmacology prediction identified the core target, active ingredient, and involvement of the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway in ZJP treatment of EC. Cell studies validated that ZJP affected the expression of core targets, and its active ingredients inhibited the proliferation of cells. Additionally, ZJP was shown to induce cell apoptosis, decrease mitochondrial membrane potential, and increase the level of intracellular oxidative stress. Further experimental verifications suggested that the inhibitory effects of ZJP on EC might be attributed to the modulation of PI3 K/Akt signalling pathways.