Pentadecylic acid from Bielong Ruangan Decoction (BLRGD) inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell aggressiveness through the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a significant challenge in oncology, particularly in regions with high hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with its multifaceted therapeutic approaches, offers promising avenues for HCC treatment. This study focused on Bielong Ruangan Decoction (BLRGD) and identified pentadecylic acid as a principal active compound through network pharmacological analyses. Our research demonstrated that pentadecylic acid significantly reduced the aggressiveness of HCC and HBV-related HCC cells by inhibiting cell viability, DNA synthesis, and cell migration, and by inducing apoptosis in both animal and cell models. Further analysis revealed Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Delta (PPARD) as a crucial downstream target, with pentadecylic acid downregulating its expression. Additionally, pentadecylic acid was found to modulate the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, a key regulator in HCC progression. Collectively, our findings underscore the therapeutic potential of pentadecylic acid from BLRGD in HCC treatment, highlighting the integration of TCM into contemporary cancer management strategies.