Polygonum barbatum extract induces ER stress-mediated UPR and autophagy to suppress colorectal cancer growth. (PubMed, Toxicol Res (Camb))
Notably, co-treatment with chloroquine, an autophagy inhibitor, partially rescued cell viability, underscoring that autophagy contributes to PBE-induced cell death. In addition, PBE modulated several critical signaling pathways by inhibiting EGFR, mTOR, and STAT3 while concurrently activating downstream ERK and the AMPK-ACC axis. Collectively, these results reveal that PBE triggers ER stress-mediated UPR and autophagy to promote autophagic cell death in CRC, supporting its potential development as a novel therapeutic agent for colorectal cancer.