β-Elemene (IUPAC name: (1 S,2 S,4 R)−1-ethenyl-1-methyl-2,4-bis(prop-1-en-2-yl) cyclohexane), is a natural compound found in turmeric root. Studies have demonstrated its diverse biological functions, including its anti-tumor properties, which have been extensively investigated. However, these have not yet been reviewed. The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive summary of β-elemene research, with respect to disease treatment. β-Elemene-related articles were found in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases to systematically summarize its structure, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and pharmacological activity. We also searched the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology database for therapeutic targets of β-elemene. We further combined these targets with the relevant literature for KEGG and GO analyses. Studies on the molecular mechanisms underlying β-elemene activity indicate that it regulates multiple pathways, including STAT3, MAPKs, Cyclin-dependent kinase 1/cyclin B, Notch, PI3K/AKT, reactive oxygen species, METTL3, PTEN, p53, FAK, MMP, TGF-β/Smad signaling. Through these molecular pathways, β-elemene has been implicated in tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion and improving the immune microenvironment. Additionally, β-elemene increases chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity and reverses resistance by inhibiting DNA damage repair and regulating pathways including CTR1, pak1, ERK1/2, ABC transporter protein, Prx-1 and ERCC-1. Nonetheless, owing to its lipophilicity and low bioavailability, additional structural modifications could improve the efficacy of this drug. β-Elemene exhibits low toxicity with good safety, inhibiting various tumor types via diverse mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. When combined with chemotherapeutic drugs, it enhances efficacy, reduces toxicity, and improves tumor killing. Thus, β-elemene has vast potential for research and development.

中文翻译：

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β-榄香烯：一种植物化学物质，有望成为肿瘤治疗和辅助肿瘤治疗的候选药物

β-榄香烯（IUPAC 名称：(1 S,2 S,4 R)−1-ethenyl-1-methyl-2,4-bis(prop-1-en-2-yl) cyclohexan）是一种天然化合物在姜黄根中。研究证明了其多种生物学功能，包括其抗肿瘤特性，这些特性已得到广泛研究。然而，这些尚未经过审查。本综述的目的是提供 β-榄香烯在疾病治疗方面的研究的全面总结。在PubMed、ScienceDirect、Google Scholar数据库中发现β-榄香烯相关文章，系统总结了其结构、药代动力学、代谢和药理活性。我们还检索了中药系统药理学数据库中β-榄香烯的治疗靶点。我们进一步将这些目标与相关文献结合起来进行 KEGG 和 GO 分析。对β-榄香烯活性分子机制的研究表明，它调节多种途径，包括STAT3、MAPKs、细胞周期蛋白依赖性激酶1/细胞周期蛋白B、Notch、PI3K/AKT、活性氧、METTL3、PTEN、p53、FAK、MMP , TGF-β/Smad 信号传导。通过这些分子途径，β-榄香烯参与肿瘤细胞的增殖、凋亡、迁移和侵袭以及改善免疫微环境。此外，β-榄香烯通过抑制 DNA 损伤修复和调节 CTR1、pak1、ERK1/2、ABC 转运蛋白、Prx-1 和 ERCC-1 等途径来增加化疗药物敏感性并逆转耐药性。尽管如此，由于其亲脂性和低生物利用度，额外的结构修饰可以提高该药物的功效。β-榄香烯毒性低、安全性好，在体内和体外通过多种机制抑制多种肿瘤类型。与化疗药物联合使用，可增强疗效、降低毒性、提高肿瘤杀伤力。因此，β-榄香烯具有巨大的研究和开发潜力。