Therapeutic potential of escin and its nanoparticle formulations in cancer -a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical study
Abstract
IntroductionThe present study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Escin and its nanoparticle formulations in cancer based on preclinical studies.MethodsEnglish databases including PubMed, Web of Science and Embase were used to search all relevant articles from their inception to July 13, 2026. The risk of bias of the included studies was assessed using the SYRCLE animal experiment risk assessment tool, while Review Manager (RevMan) software (Version 5.4) and Stata SE 12 software were employed for all statistical computations. Egger’s test was used to assess potential publication bias.ResultsThe initial search produced a total of 279 potentially pertinent studies, and 34 studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis findings demonstrated Escin significantly inhibited cancer cell growth in vitro. Compared with the control group, Escin substantively reduced cell viability (SMD = ‐4.73, 95% CI = [‐5.81, ‐3.65]), induced cell cycle arrest (SMD = -7.29, 95% CI = [‐10.45, ‐4.14]), increased cell apoptosis (SMD =4.88, 95% CI = [3.41, 6.36]), and inhibited cell colony formation (SMD = -8.15, 95% CI = [‐14.04, ‐2.26]), cell adhesion (SMD = ‐11.17, 95% CI = [‐17.80, ‐4.55]), and migration (SMD = ‐3.19, 95% CI = [‐4.80, ‐1.57]). In tumor‐bearing animals, Escin treatment reduced tumor weight (SMD =‐2.49, 95% CI = [‐3.27, ‐1.70]), tumor volume (SMD = ‐2.05, 95% CI = [‐2.87, ‐1.23]), and tumor number (SMD = ‐1.83, 95% CI = [‐2.84, ‐0.82]). Besides, Escin nanoformulations also significantly reduced cell viability (SMD = ‐3.12, 95% CI = [‐5.15, ‐1.09]).DiscussionOverall, this meta-analysis provided quantitative preclinical evidence supporting the potential anti‐tumor effects of Escin and its nanoformulations. However, given the heterogeneity and limited number of included studies, especially for nanoformulations, these findings should be interpreted cautiously. Further well‐designed preclinical studies are warranted to facilitate clinical translation.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/.
Related
- Therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine-derived formulations and extracts in
- CD47–SIRPα as a Therapeutic Target in Sarcoma: A Systematic Review of Expression, Preclinical, and Clinical Evidence
- Therapeutic Equivalence, Immunogenicity, and Safety of Euvichol Oral Cholera Vaccine Formulations Compared with WHO-prequalified Shanchol vaccine in Healthy Children and Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
- Therapeutic potential of umbilical cord-derived MSCs in arthritis: Insights from preclinical and clinical studies
- Dermatoprotective Potential of Hibiscus sabdariffa L.: A Systematic Review of Preclinical Evidence
BibTeX
@article{xu2026therapeutic,
title = {{Therapeutic potential of escin and its nanoparticle formulations in cancer -a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical study}},
author = {Mao Xu and Yinju Cui and Dan Li and Ye Cheng and Haiyan Zhang and Jing Li},
journal = {Frontiers in Pharmacology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fphar.2026.1988783},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1988783},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Therapeutic potential of escin and its nanoparticle formulations in cancer -a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical study
AU - Mao Xu
AU - Yinju Cui
AU - Dan Li
AU - Ye Cheng
AU - Haiyan Zhang
AU - Jing Li
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Frontiers in Pharmacology
DO - 10.3389/fphar.2026.1988783
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1988783
AB - IntroductionThe present study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Escin and its nanoparticle formulations in cancer based on preclinical studies.MethodsEnglish databases including PubMed, Web of Science and Embase were used to search all relevant articles from their inception to July 13, 2026. The risk of bias of the included studies was assessed using the SYRCLE animal experiment risk assessment tool, while Review Manager (RevMan) software (Version 5.4) and Stata SE 12 software were employed for all statistical computations. Egger’s test was used to assess potential publication bias.ResultsThe initial search produced a total of 279 potentially pertinent studies, and 34 studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis findings demonstrated Escin significantly inhibited cancer cell growth in vitro. Compared with the control group, Escin substantively reduced cell viability (SMD = ‐4.73, 95% CI = [‐5.81, ‐3.65]), induced cell cycle arrest (SMD = -7.29, 95% CI = [‐10.45, ‐4.14]), increased cell apoptosis (SMD =4.88, 95% CI = [3.41, 6.36]), and inhibited cell colony formation (SMD = -8.15, 95% CI = [‐14.04, ‐2.26]), cell adhesion (SMD = ‐11.17, 95% CI = [‐17.80, ‐4.55]), and migration (SMD = ‐3.19, 95% CI = [‐4.80, ‐1.57]). In tumor‐bearing animals, Escin treatment reduced tumor weight (SMD =‐2.49, 95% CI = [‐3.27, ‐1.70]), tumor volume (SMD = ‐2.05, 95% CI = [‐2.87, ‐1.23]), and tumor number (SMD = ‐1.83, 95% CI = [‐2.84, ‐0.82]). Besides, Escin nanoformulations also significantly reduced cell viability (SMD = ‐3.12, 95% CI = [‐5.15, ‐1.09]).DiscussionOverall, this meta-analysis provided quantitative preclinical evidence supporting the potential anti‐tumor effects of Escin and its nanoformulations. However, given the heterogeneity and limited number of included studies, especially for nanoformulations, these findings should be interpreted cautiously. Further well‐designed preclinical studies are warranted to facilitate clinical translation.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/.
SN - 1663-9812
ER -