Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42193972›Full record

ReviewBiomolecules2026

The Antitumor Potential of Celastrol: Research Progress on Antitumor Mechanisms and Strategies for Toxicity Reduction with Efficacy Enhancement.

Qian Jiang, Zhaojing Liu, Jie Cheng, Zhiyuan Geng, Yu Gu, Yan Wei, Mengjia Yu, Yi Bi

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Biomolecules, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Qian JiangSchool of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
Zhaojing LiuSchool of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
Jie ChengSchool of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
Zhiyuan GengSchool of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
Yu GuSchool of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
Yan WeiSchool of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
Mengjia YuSchool of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
Yi BiSchool of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.ORCID 0000-0003-0879-0572

Funding

Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province ZR2023MH282
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Celastrol, a natural compound with potent antitumor activity, has gained considerable attention in drug research and development. Although its use is limited by high toxicity, a narrow therapeutic window, and severe side effects, studies show that celastrol can inhibit tumors through multiple targets and pathways, including by inducing apoptosis, autophagy, as well as suppressing invasion and adhesion. It also enhances antitumor effects by reshaping the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, regulating stromal components, and suppressing angiogenesis. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in related research and elaborates on the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor activity of celastrol and the key factors contributing to its toxicity. In addition, we further discuss current progress in research focused on reducing celastrol's toxicity and enhancing its efficacy, aiming to promote its safety and druggability through rational structural modification, target optimization, and advanced formulation development.

Indexed as

Antineoplastic AgentsNeoplasmsPentacyclic TriterpenesAnimalsApoptosisAutophagyHumansTumor MicroenvironmentAntineoplastic AgentscelastrolPentacyclic Triterpenesantitumor mechanismcelastrolderivativesdosage form optimizationtoxicity

Identifiers

PMID42193972
PMCPMC13204942

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.