Coicis Semen for the treatment of malignant tumors of the female reproductive system: A review of traditional Chinese medicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics

Abstract

CoicisSemen is an important food product and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) derived from the dried and mature seeds of Coix lacryma-jobi L.var.ma-yuen (Roman.) Stapf. An increasing number of studies have investigated its use, either alone or in combination with other botanical drugs, to treat female reproductive system malignancies, and its pharmacological effects have been confirmed clinically. This review aims to provide an overview of Coicis Semen’s historical role in treating female reproductive system malignancies based on TCM theory, to summarize clinical trials results, and to analyze information pertaining to the main phytochemical components, pharmacokinetics, related anti-cancer pharmacological effects, and toxicology of Coicis Semen. Information on Coicis Semen was collected from internationally accepted scientific databases. Seventy-four clinical trials were identified that used Coicis Semen in combination with other Chinese medicine to treat female reproductive system malignancies, most of which demonstrated good anti-tumor efficacy and few adverse reactions. To date, more than 80 individual compounds have been isolated from this botanical drug. In terms of anti-tumor effects, Coix seed oil has been studied the most. Pharmacokinetic data suggest that the active ingredients in Coicis Semen are widely distributed after administration, and Coicis Semen and its active compounds play a beneficial role in treating female reproductive system malignancies. Mechanistically, the anti-cancer effects may be related to inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and promotion of apoptosis, inhibition of tumor angiogenesis, suppression of the chronic inflammatory microenvironment of tumors, modulation of immune function, and regulation of the female reproductive system. Most acute toxicity and genotoxicity studies have shown that Coicis Semen is non-toxic. However, the existing studies have many limitations, and the future research direction should emphasize 1) the relationship between drug concentration and pharmacological action as well as toxicity; 2) the structural modification or the synthesis of analogues led by the active ingredients of Coicis Semen to enhance pharmacological activities and bioavailability; 3) accurately revealing the anti-cancer pharmacological effects of Coicis Semen and its compounds through multi-omics technology. We hope that this review can determine future directions and inform novel drug development for treating female reproductive malignancies.

Prediction and analysis of quality markers for Chuantieling gel patches based on HPLC fingerprinting and network pharmacology

“…Cinnamaldehyde, tetrahydropalmatine, rhein, and 6‐gingerol are auxiliary ingredients. Among these, ephedrine hydrochloride has various pharmacological effects, including antitussive, expectorant, anti‐inflammatory, neuroprotective, cardiovascular protection, antiandrogenic, and anticancer properties (Dang et al, 2023). Ephedrine hydrochloride is known for its cough‐suppressing, bronchial‐dilating, bronchodilatory, central stimulating, hypotensive, and hypoglycemic effects (Zheng et al, 2023).…”

Anti-tumor effect of coix seed based on the theory of medicinal and food homology

“…Among them, Huang et al [ 12 ] discussed the chemical composition, anticancer mechanisms, marketed drugs, dosage forms, and clinical applications of fatty oils, including coix seed and other plants. Pan et al [ 65 ] only discusses the treatment of malignant tumors in the female reproductive system with coix seed. This article discusses the anti-tumor effect of coix seed and is not limited to malignant tumors in the female reproductive system.…”

Cardiovascular protection of YiyiFuzi powder and the potential mechanisms through modulating mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interactions

“…Fingerprinting of Coicis semen from dried tissues using the sequence-independent microarray ( Niu et al, 2013 ) and the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-evaporative light scattering detector ( Du et al, 2021 ) has been reported. It contains more than 80 active components including polysaccharides, fatty acids (FAs), phenolic acids, sterols, lipids, flavonoids, triterpenes, alkaloids, and adenosine ( Zhu, 2017 ; Yu J. et al, 2022 ; Huang et al, 2022 ; Pan et al, 2023 ; Wei et al, 2023 ). The HPLC-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (MS) method identified 12 triacylglycerols in coix oil ( Xiang et al, 2005 ).…”

“…The chromatographic fingerprint revealed the main pharmacologically active ingredients of Coicis semen, including 1,3-Dioleoyl-2-palmitoylglycerol, 1,2-dilinoleoyl-3-oleoyl-rac-glycerol, 1,3-Dipalmitoyl-2-Linolein, 1,2-Dilinoleoyl-3-palmitoyl-rac-glycerol, 1,2-Dioleoyl-3-linoleoyl-rac-glycerol, and glycerol trioleate ( Du et al, 2021 ). These components are primarily responsible for improving lipid metabolism, antioxidation, and anti-inflammation, providing analgesic effects, and offering cardiovascular protection ( Zhu R. et al, 2020 ; Chen et al, 2022 ; Yang et al, 2022d ; Zeng et al, 2022 ; Pan et al, 2023 ), thereby supporting proper heart function and protecting against CVD ( Xu et al, 2017 ; Chen et al, 2022 ). Studies have shown that Coicis semen has positive effects on CHDs ( Yu F. et al, 2011 ; Wang et al, 2012 ), atherosclerosis ( Check and K'Ombut, 1995 ; Yu F. et al, 2011 ), myocardial ischemia, MI( Yu J. et al, 2022 ), hypertension ( Li et al, 2017 ; Chen et al, 2020 ), hypercholesterolemia ( Wang et al, 2012 ), and hyperlipidemia ( Chen et al, 2022 ).…”