2. Academic Validation
  3. Scoparone induces mitophagy and apoptosis via ROS accumulation in pancreatic cancer cells

Scoparone induces mitophagy and apoptosis via ROS accumulation in pancreatic cancer cells

  • Curr Res Toxicol. 2026 Jan 17:10:100281. doi: 10.1016/j.crtox.2026.100281.
Ningna Weng 1 2,  Luping Lin 1,  Tong Lin 1,  Jinlu Liu 3,  Kai Zhu 1,  Sha Huang 1 2
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Medical Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fujian 350011, PR China.
  • 2 Clinical Oncology School of Fuiian Medical University, Fuiian Cancer Hospital. NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, PR China.
  • 3 Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China.
PMID: 41630986 DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2026.100281
Abstract

Pancreatic Cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide. In the present study, we demonstrated that a traditional Chinese medicine extract monomer, scoparone (Scop), significantly inhibited the growth of PC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Further studies revealed that Scop could induce PINK1/Parkin-mediated Mitophagy and Apoptosis in PC cells; thus, inhibition of Mitophagy could alleviate the anti-PC effect and Apoptosis of Scop. Mechanistically, Scop exerts its anti-PC effects via the Akt/mTOR pathway. In addition, Scop increases the level of cellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in PC cells, which may be a key factor, as the ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine significantly reversed the effects of Mitophagy and Apoptosis in PC cells. Our findings highlight Scop shows potential as a therapeutic lead candidate, offering novel insights into the antitumor potential of traditional Chinese medicine. This study elucidates the critical role of Scop in regulating Mitophagy and Apoptosis in PC cells, providing a foundation for future therapeutic development.

Keywords

Apoptosis; Mitophagy; Pancreatic cancer; ROS; Scoparone.

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