Targeting CHEK1: Ginsenosides-Rh2 and Cu2O@G-Rh2 nanoparticles in thyroid cancer.

Abstract

Thyroid cancer (THCA) is an increasingly common malignant tumor of the endocrine system, with its incidence rising steadily in recent years. For patients who experience recurrence or metastasis, treatment options are relatively limited, and the prognosis is poor. Therefore, exploring new therapeutic strategies has become particularly urgent. This study confirmed that effective suppression of THCA cell proliferation and stimulation of apoptosis can be achieved through the application of Ginsenosides-Rh2. Through network pharmacology screening, the molecular target of Ginsenosides-Rh2 in THCA was identified as CHEK1, and its inhibitory effect was confirmed by downregulating CHEK1 protein expression. Furthermore, demonstrations conducted both in vitro and in vivo showcased that delivering Ginsenosides-Rh2 using nanoparticle carriers significantly reduced cell viability by approximately 50%, regulated DNA damage levels, apoptosis-related protein expression, and cell cycle control. The IC50 of the nanoparticle formulation was determined (B-CPAP IC50 = 88.24 μM), TPC IC50 = 79.52 μM). This study confirmed that Cu2O@G-Rh2 is effective in suppressing tumors and exhibits a significant inhibitory effect on tumor recurrence and metastasis while maintaining good safety. Cu2O@G-Rh2 nanoparticles possess excellent stability and anti-tumor efficacy. This research offers new perspectives for the treatment of THCA and demonstrates potential clinical applications.