Integrated network pharmacology and experimental validation reveal EGFR/p53/Bcl-2–mediated anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects of Zedoary Turmeric Oil

Through an integrated approach combining network pharmacology and experimental validation, this study demonstrates that ZTO exerts anti-HCC effects by inhibiting cell proliferation and migration, inducing apoptosis, and causing G1-phase cell cycle arrest, primarily through modulation of the EGFR/p53/Bcl-2 signaling axis. In addition, ZTO significantly suppresses cancer stemness in HCC by downregulating key stemness-related markers. Finally, the pharmacokinetic study showed curcumol and curdione have higher bioavailability and faster absorption than β-elemene and germacrone. These findings provide novel mechanistic insights into the anti-HCC activity of ZTO and offer a theoretical foundation for its future clinical application.