Herbal Medicine-derived Compounds for the Prevention and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second malignancy worldwide. Dysregulation of various signaling pathways has been detected in HCC. Recent investigations have suggested a new approach for the prevention and treatment of HCC with herbal drugs. The anticancer effects of herbal drugs can be evaluated in animal models or HCC cell lines. Various molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways such as TGF-β, Wnt/β-catenin, SHH, Notch, Hippo, PI3K, and VEGF have been found to induce and promote carcinogenesis of HCC. Herbal drugs can target the signaling pathways in HCC and trigger apoptosis, suppress proliferation, and tumor growth. Molecularly targeted therapies using herbal drugs can be novel therapeutic strategies against HCC. This study provides the latest findings on using herbal medicine-derived compounds in the control of HCC.