A narrative review of cinobufacini for endometrial cancer: mechanisms and therapeutic implications

Advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer (EC) faces limited therapeutic options and frequent chemoresistance. Cinobufacini, a traditional Chinese medicine extract derived from the dried skin of Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor, contains bufadienolides (including cinobufagin, bufalin, and cinobufotalin) as its core antitumor active constituents and exhibits broad-spectrum antitumor activity in multiple cancers. However, direct evidence in EC is limited. Its multitarget actions suggest potential applicability to EC. This study aimed to systematically elucidate the antitumor effects and molecular mechanisms of cinobufacini against EC and provide a theoretical basis for its clinical translation