Yes, salvigenin inhibits gastric cancer progression by targeting the EGFR/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in tumor growth, survival, and aggressiveness. The study highlights the following key findings:
1. **Anticancer Properties of Salvigenin**: Salvigenin, a bioactive flavonoid, demonstrated significant anticancer effects in gastric cancer cells. It reduced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while promoting apoptosis, effectively curbing the malignancy of gastric cancer.
2. **Mechanism of Action**: Mechanistic investigations using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and protein expression analyses revealed that salvigenin exerts its antitumor effects primarily by inhibiting the EGFR/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This pathway is well-known for its role in promoting tumor cell survival, proliferation, and metastasis.
3. **Validation of Mechanism**:
- **Rescue Experiments**: When EGFR signaling was artificially activated using NSC 228155 or EGFR overexpression, the inhibitory effects of salvigenin on cancer cell malignancy were reversed. This strongly supports the conclusion that salvigenin's anticancer effects are mediated through the suppression of EGFR/PI3K/AKT signaling.
- **In Vivo Evidence**: In xenograft mouse models, salvigenin effectively suppressed tumor growth, confirming its ability to block the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway and reduce tumor progression in a living organism.
4. **Therapeutic Potential**: Salvigenin's ability to target a key oncogenic pathway (EGFR/PI3K/AKT) positions it as a promising candidate for targeted therapy in gastric cancer management. By reducing tumor aggressiveness and enhancing apoptosis, salvigenin offers a potential approach for improving outcomes in gastric cancer patients.
In summary, salvigenin's inhibition of the EGFR/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is central to its anticancer effects, making it a potent agent for combating gastric cancer progression.