Page 311 - 2025中醫藥與天然藥物聯合學術研討會-中醫藥與天然藥物的挑戰Ｘ機遇與未來大會手冊

FR-04

Bletilla formosana and its constituents as promising therapeutics via

modulation of redox homeostasis in colorectal cancer

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Sheng-Chieh Tsai, Chun-Hong Chen, Y u -Chia Chang, Po-Jen Chen* ,1,2

1 Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University,
Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan
2 Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung
Medical University, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan
3 Center for Drug Research and Development and Graduate Institute of Health Industry
Technology, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and
Technology, Taoyuan 333324, Taiwan
* E-mail: pjc@kmu.edu.tw

Abstract
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Taiwan, with colorectal cancer (CRC) consistently
ranking among the top in terms of incidence and mortality. Bletilla formosana (Hayata) Schltr,
a Taiwan native herbal medicine, is traditionally utilized to manage bleeding and inflammation;
however, current research into its anticancer properties and mechanisms remains limited. Using
bioactivity-directed fractionation strategy combined with chemical molecular networking
analysis, we ideintified that the primary anticancer constituents of B. formosana were
concentrated within its ethyl acetate (EA) extract, primarily consisting of benzyl and
phenanthrene natural products. The EA extract potentially exerted its anticancer effects by
inducing mitophagy-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and redox stress, ultimately leading
to apoptosis in CRC cells. In vivo studies using mouse models confirmed the efficacy of the
benzyl natural product in inhibiting CRC cell growth. These findings provide promising
evidence for B. formosana and its constituents as novel anticancer therapeutic agents via
modulation of redox homeostasis.

Keywords: B. formosana; Colorectal cancer; Redox homeostasis; Mitochondrial damage