2. Academic Validation
  3. Icariin inhibits autophagy and promotes apoptosis by regulating mitochondrial division in Triple-negative breast cancer

Icariin inhibits autophagy and promotes apoptosis by regulating mitochondrial division in Triple-negative breast cancer

  • Biochem Pharmacol. 2026 Jan;243(Pt 2):117549. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2025.117549.
Wen Wang 1,  Xinyu Zhang 2,  Shenghan Gao 1,  Jie Liu 3,  Siyuan Jiang 1,  Qingjie Meng 1,  Haomeng Zhang 1,  Yiwen Li 4,  Wenzhen Shi 5,  Yonggang Lv 6
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Thyroid Breast Surgery, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disease Imaging, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an NO.3 Hospital, Xi'an, China.
  • 2 Department of Thyroid Breast Surgery, College of Life Sciences, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an NO.3 Hospital, Xi'an, China.
  • 3 Clinical Medical Research Center, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disease Imaging, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, Xi'an, China.
  • 4 Biochemistry & Molecular Department, Georgetown University, USA.
  • 5 Clinical Medical Research Center, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disease Imaging, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, Xi'an, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 6 Department of Thyroid Breast Surgery, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disease Imaging, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an NO.3 Hospital, Xi'an, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 41242617 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2025.117549
Abstract

Triple-negative breast Cancer (TNBC) lacks targeted therapies and effective treatments, emphasizing the need for new drugs. Abnormal mitochondrial fission-fusion dynamics are closely linked to poor prognosis and invasiveness in TNBC. Icariin (ICA), a flavonoid glycoside, exhibits anti-cancer effects by inhibiting cell proliferation, metastasis, Autophagy induction, and Apoptosis through diverse pathways. This study explores how ICA affects mitochondrial fission-fusion in TNBC cells and its specific mechanism behind its anti-tumor effect. Experimental results show that; ICA can inhibit cell Autophagy by suppressing the Dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1)-mediated mitochondrial fission pathway in TNBC and promote cell Apoptosis through excessive accumulation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). To sum up, our results further elucidate the Anticancer mechanism of ICA in TNBC and provide potential targets for the development of new drugs.

Keywords

Apoptosis; Autophagy; Icariin; Mitochondrial fission and fusion; ROS; Triple-negative breast cancer.

Figures
Products
  • Cat. No.
    Product Name
    Description
    Target
    Research Area
  • HY-15534
    99.0%, Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Probe