Derived from Panax ginseng, the natural product 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol (PPD) has been reported for its cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines. The molecular mechanism is, however, not well understood. Here we show that PPD significantly inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis and causes G2/M cell cycle arrest in human laryngeal carcinoma cells (Hep-2 cells). PPD also decreases the levels of proteins related to cell proliferation. Moreover, PPD-induced apoptosis is characterized by a dose-dependent down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression and up-regulation of Bax, and is accompanied by the activation of Caspase-3 as well. Further molecular mechanism is revealed by direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM)—a novel high-precision localization microscopy which enables effective resolution down to the order of 10 nm. It shows the expression and spatial arrangement of mTOR and its downstream effectors, demonstrating that this ginsenoside exerts its excellent anticancer effects via down-regulation of mTOR signaling pathway in Hep-2 cells. Taken together, our findings elucidate that the antitumor effect of PPD is associated with its regulation of mTOR expression and distribution, which encourages further studies of PPD as a promising therapeutic agent against laryngeal carcinoma.

Background: The objective was to discuss the impact of occupational therapy on different domains of quality of life in breast cancer patients. We performed a literature search to identify articles published before June 27, 2023, using the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus. Objective: The objective was to discuss the impact of occupational therapy on different domains of quality of life in breast cancer patients. Data sources: We performed a literature search to identify articles published before June 27, 2023, using the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus. Methods: This study was reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Randomized controlled trials that reported the effects of occupational therapy on quality of life in breast cancer patients were identified. Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility, extracted data, and determined risks of bias. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using random-effects meta-analyses. Galbraith plots, meta-regression analysis, subgroup analysis, and sensitivity analysis were used to identify heterogeneity in treatment effects. Results: Eight studies were included, with a total of 543 patients. The experimental group exhibited better global health (pooled SMD = 0.640, 95% CI = 0.251–1.028, P = .001), physical health (pooled SMD = 0.640, 95% CI = 0.251–1.028, P = .019), social health (pooled SMD = 0.251, 95% CI = 0.011–0.490, P = .040), and cognitive function (pooled SMD = 0.863, 95% CI = 0.266–1.460, P = .05) and improve fatigue (pooled SMD = −0.389, 95% CI = −0.586 to −0.192, P = .000), and role function (pooled SMD = 0.287, 95% CI = 0.029–0.546, P = .029) than the control group. The 2 groups exhibited comparable emotional health (pooled SMD = 0.243, 95% CI = −0.051 to 0.536, P = .105) and pain (pooled SMD = −0.312, 95% CI = −0.660 to 0.036, P = .079). Conclusion: The current evidence shows that occupational therapy can improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients, especially their global health, physical health, social health, cognitive function, fatigue, and role function.

Brucea javanica (BJ) is widely used as an adjuvant therapy for malignant tumours in China. Currently, scholars at home and abroad mainly focus on the nonpolar-constituent fatty acids, which are the common main constituents of dietary edible oil, while the characteristic polar constituents such as flavonoid glycosides have not been explored. Luteolin (LU), as an active polar constituent of BJ, has been proven to be a platinum sensitizer in many cancers. The study employed a combination of network pharmacology, in vitro cell assays (HeLa, SiHa), and in vivo xenograft models to demonstrate that LU can potentiate the efficacy of CDDP while reducing its dosage and toxicity by inducing apoptosis, G2/M cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of migration/invasion. Mechanistically, LU appears to act through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This offers a highly promising adjuvant therapeutic strategy to improve treatment tolerance and prolong survival in cervical cancer (CC) patients.