Paeonol

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a common gynecological malignancy characterized by abnormal glucose metabolism. Paeonol (Pae), a natural phenolic compound derived from traditional Chinese medicine, exhibits broad-spectrum antitumor activity. However, its role in modulating glycolysis and the underlying molecular mechanisms in EC remain poorly understood. The effects on EC cell viability (CCK-8), proliferation (EdU), apoptosis (flow cytometry), invasion (transwell), migration (wound healing), and tube formation rate were assessed. Glycolytic parameters were measured using corresponding commercial kits. Protein and mRNA expression levels were determined by Western blotting and RT-qPCR. The interaction between tripartite motif protein 26 (TRIM26) and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) was investigated through co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), cycloheximide (CHX) chase, and ubiquitination assays. A xenograft model was established to examine the in vivo efficacy of Pae. Pae inhibited proliferation, metastasis, tube formation, and glycolysis of EC cells, and induced apoptosis. Pae suppressed EC malignant behaviors by downregulating LDHA expression. TRIM26 promoted ubiquitination-mediated degradation of LDHA. Overexpression of LDHA reversed the tumor-suppressive effects of TRIM26 overexpression in EC cells. TRIM26 knockdown attenuated the antitumor effects of Pae. In vivo experiments demonstrated that Pae inhibited tumor growth and regulated TRIM26/LDHA expression. Pae was found to promote TRIM26 expression, which in turn enhanced TRIM26-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of LDHA, thereby contributing to glycolysis inhibition and suppression of EC progression. These results suggested that Pae might exert its effects by modulating the TRIM26/LDHA axis and supported its potential therapeutic value in EC.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a pivotal role in determining tumor progression and treatment response. Within the TME, redox processes mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) are critically involved in regulating intercellular and intracellular signaling. In this study, we hypothesized that conjugating an NO-releasing moiety to paeonol derivatives and introducing a chalcone structure to enhance thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) targeting would yield compounds with potent anticancer activity. Accordingly, a series of mono- and di-substituted nitrate derivatives were synthesized. The inhibitory activities of all synthesized compounds were evaluated against BGC823, HCT116, Hep G2, and MCF-7 cell lines using the CCK-8 assay. Among the paeonol chalcone derivatives, compound 11f exhibited significant antiproliferative activity across the tested cancer cell panel. It was identified as a promising candidate with potent TrxR inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 0.26 ± 0.17 μM in vitro; IC₅₀ = 0.33 μM in vivo). Furthermore, compound 11f induced S-phase arrest and promoted apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. These findings underscore the enhanced anticancer potential of paeonol chalcone derivatives, attributable to the synergistic effects of NO and ROS.