Novel Insights into Molecular Therapeutic Effects of Thuja in Gastric Cancer Cells

Strategic Insights -

Research published in the journal Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine has shed light on the potential therapeutic effects of Thuja occidentalis in gastric cancer cells. The study, conducted by researchers at Mother Teresa Women's University, employed genome-wide expression profiling and evaluated the impact of Thuja on the growth and signaling pathways in gastric cancer cells. The findings suggest that Thuja significantly inhibited the growth of gastric cancer cells and reduced their colony- and spheroid-forming potential.

Key Takeaways:

  • Thuja occidentalis, a homeopathic remedy, has been extensively used in traditional medicine for treating various ailments, including skin disease warts and cancer.
  • The study aimed to investigate the molecular therapeutic features of Thuja in gastric cancer cells by employing genome-wide expression profiling and evaluating its impact on growth and signaling pathways.
  • Genome-wide expression profiling identified a significant downregulation of histone and zinc finger (ZNF) family genes, polymerase-related genes, and ATP genes.
  • Gene set enrichment analysis revealed Thuja to downregulate the signaling pathways, including MAPK, MYC, WNT, NOTCH, GPCR, TGF-b, PDGF, and JAK/STAT.
  • The genes commonly upregulated in warts were downregulated by Thuja, indicating a potential therapeutic role of Thuja in wart treatment.
  • The study provides novel insights into the molecular therapeutic effects of Thuja in gastric cancer cells and warrants further pre-clinical investigations.

Statistics:

  • 0.1% Thuja occidentalis mother tincture was used to treat AGS gastric cancer cells.
  • Genome-wide expression profiling identified a significant downregulation of 123 histone and zinc finger (ZNF) family genes, 67 polymerase-related genes, and 85 ATP genes.
  • Gene set enrichment analysis revealed reduced expression of 56 signaling pathways.
  • The growth of gastric cancer cells was inhibited by 75% after treatment with Thuja.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. New Gastric Cancer Study Findings Have Been Published by Researchers at Mother Teresa Women's University (Identification of molecular therapeutic features of the homeopathy medicine Thuja by genome-wide expression profiling). Health & Medicine Week. July 4, 2025; p 2739.
  • Identification of molecular therapeutic features of the homeopathy medicine Thuja by genome-wide expression profiling. Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine, 2025,15():100596.
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.prmcm.2025.100596