Signal pathway and active compounds of <i>Penicillium griseofulvum</i> against triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of breast cancer that has a high rate of growth and metastasis. In this study, the liquid fermentation product (EX-9) of <i>Penicillium griseofulvum</i>, an endophytic fungus derived from the medicinal plant <i>Delphinium grandiflorum</i> L., has exhibited significant anti-cancer activity against TNBC. We investigated the therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of EX-9 on TNBC both <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i>. Our findings demonstrated that EX-9 exhibited remarkable efficacy against TNBC both <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i>, while showing negligible toxicity. The potential mechanism for its anti-TNBC effect involved the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Additionally, we employed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technology and network pharmacology methods to uncover the potential pharmacological substance basis of EX-9 in combating TNBC.