Research progress on therapeutic material basis and mechanism of Scutellaria barbata–Lobelia chinensis herb pair in the treatment of lung cancerOA

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally,with conventional therapies(chemotherapy,targeted agents)limited by severe toxicities and poor durability.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCMs)herb pairs,particularly Scutellaria barbata–Lobelia chinensis(SL),have emerged as promising alternatives for their multitarget anti-lung cancer activity,but their material basis and mechanisms need systematic clarification.In TCM practice,SL herb pair exerts“heat-clearing and toxin-resolving”effects,aligning with the therapeutic principle of“resolving toxin to suppress tumor”for lung cancer.Phytochemical and pharmacological studies confirm its key active components,including flavonoids(baicalein,luteolin,quercetin),alkaloids,and polysaccharides.These components synergistically act through core signaling pathways:inhibiting angiogenesis via HIF-1α/VEGF axis;inducing apoptosis/autophagy through PI3K/AKT/mTOR and SIRT1/AMPK pathways;suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)by targeting TGF-β/Smad and Wnt/β-catenin pathways;and regulating immune microenvironment via NLRP3 inflammasome and Th1/Th2 balance.This review systematically summarizes the multi-component(flavonoids,alkaloids)and multi-pathway mechanisms of SL herb pair,validating the scientific connotation of TCM’s“multi-target therapy”paradigm.It provides a theoretical basis for clinical application of SL herb pair and inspires the development of innovative lung cancer therapies(e.g.,component-based nano-drugs),bridging TCM practice with modern pharmacology.