Liver cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the world, ranking as the third-leading cause of cancer deaths.
One reason it’s so deadly is that it is often found too late, when treatment options are limited. But a new study brings hope by showing that a natural solution may already exist.
Yatendra Singh, a researcher at the University of Mississippi, has found that certain plant-based compounds known as cardiac glycosides may help treat liver cancer.
These compounds are already used in medications to treat heart conditions. Now, they’re showing promise against hepatocellular carcinoma—the most common form of liver cancer. This type of cancer mostly affects men and people with long-term liver diseases, such as cirrhosis.
Singh and co-author Arun Kumar Jajoriya, from Suresh Gyan Vihar University in India, published their findings in the journal Pharmacological Research—Natural Products.
Plants are constantly exposed to challenges like harsh weather, pests, and disease. To protect themselves, they produce special chemicals known as secondary metabolites. Many of these natural compounds also have health benefits for humans.
Cardiac glycosides are one such group. They’ve been used for years to treat heart problems, but new research suggests they might also work against liver cancer.
Currently, there are only a few treatments for liver cancer, especially once it reaches an advanced stage. Surgery, radiation, and liver transplants are sometimes options, but the only approved drug for advanced cases is called sorafenib. Unfortunately, liver cancer often becomes resistant to this medication.
Jajoriya explained that even though liver cancer isn’t the most common cancer, it’s still one of the top causes of cancer-related deaths. That’s because it’s usually caught too late and current treatments don’t work well enough.
To find better options, the researchers used a method called network pharmacology. Instead of testing compounds directly in a lab—which takes a lot of time and money—they used computer models to predict how cardiac glycosides might work in the body.
This method helped them quickly identify which compounds were worth studying further.
They discovered five promising cardiac glycosides that may target three key proteins linked to liver cancer. These proteins help cancer cells grow and survive, so blocking them could be a way to slow or stop the disease.
Singh noted that using computer models helped speed up the process. It also allowed them to focus only on the most promising compounds before moving to lab testing.
These plant-based compounds may also have fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy, making them even more attractive as future treatments.
Although it takes years to develop a new drug, this study provides a strong starting point. The researchers hope their work will lead to more studies and, eventually, better treatments for liver cancer.
In Singh’s words, this research shows how natural products and new technology can work together to fight diseases. With the help of tools like network pharmacology and machine learning, scientists can discover new drugs faster and more efficiently.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about blood thinners that may not prevent stroke in people with heartbeat problems and this diabetes drug may protect heart health in older veterans.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about why light-to-moderate drinking is linked to better heart health and reconsidering the long-term use of high blood pressure beta blockers after a heart attack.
The study is published in Pharmacological Research—Natural Products.
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