Pachymic acid (PA) is a lanostane-type triterpenoid from Poriacocos, which is an important component in traditional Chinese medicine. Previous studies have shown that PA possesses anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. It has been demonstrated that PA is able to inhibit the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells by decreasing MMP-7 expression. PA was able to activate reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent JUN N-terminal kinase mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways following cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and cell apoptosis occurred in lung cancer cells. PA reduced proliferation and induced apoptosis through inactivation of AKT signaling and downregulation of AKT downstream protein expression in prostate cancer cells. Another study demonstrated that PA is able to stimulate glucose uptake by enhancing the expression and translocation of glucose transporter type 4. However, the therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of PA on gastric cancer are poorly understood and therefore remain to be evaluated.
