Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside tablets attenuated the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting IL-6 and downstream signaling pathways in a multi-target manner.

Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside tablets (TWPT) have traditionally been used to treat certain inflammatory diseases. This study validated TWPT as a novel application in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment through multiple targets, thereby expanding its clinical medication scope. TWPT exhibited a low toxicity and a significantly antihepatoma effects in vitro and in vivo. Through network pharmacology analysis, we found TWPT attenuated the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by multi-targeting, including IL-6, MMP9, TNF-α and VEGFA. Additionally, TWPT targeted IL-6 to regulate downstream pathways, including the PI3K/Akt, JAK2/STAT3, and MAPK signaling pathways. Thus, TWPT could be developed as a potential therapeutic drug for hepatocellular carcinoma.