Therapeutic Applications of Coix Lachryma-Jobi in Oncology

Coix lachryma-jobi, commonly known as adlay or Job’s tears, has a long history in traditional medicine and has emerged as a promising adjuvant in cancer therapy. Its seed extracts and oil preparations contain triglycerides, fatty acids and polyphenolic constituents that act through multiple mechanisms: inhibition of tumour cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, suppression of angiogenesis, modulation of the tumour inflammatory microenvironment and enhancement of host immune responses. Clinically, injectable formulations derived from Coix seed oil have been combined with standard chemotherapies to improve response rates and reduce adverse effects in patients with gastric, lung and other solid tumours. Preclinical studies further indicate that Coix preparations may overcome chemoresistance by targeting key signalling pathways, offering potential for integration into multimodal treatment regimens worldwide.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated that pretreatment with Coix seed oil extract sensitises colorectal cancer cells to paclitaxel. This combination suppressed activity of nuclear factor-κB and upregulated connexin 43, enhancing tubulin stabilisation, caspase-3 activation and cyclin B1 expression. In mouse xenograft models, the dual regimen markedly reduced tumour volume compared with either agent alone, suggesting that Coix seed oil extract can potentiate microtubule-targeting drugs and overcome intrinsic chemoresistance mechanisms.

Therapeutic Applications of Coix Lachryma-Jobi in Oncology publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in therapeutic applications of coix lachryma-jobi in oncology across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Apoptosis: Programmed cell death involving caspase activation and DNA fragmentation.

Angiogenesis: Formation of new blood vessels that supply nutrients to growing tumours.

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB): Transcription factor that regulates genes involved in inflammation, survival and drug resistance.

Connexin 43: A gap junction protein whose upregulation enhances intercellular communication and can sensitise cells to chemotherapy.

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT): Phenotypic change enabling carcinoma cells to acquire migratory and invasive properties.

References

1. Coicis Semen for the treatment of malignant tumors of the female reproductive system: A review of traditional Chinese medicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2023).
2. Assessment of the Genetic Diversity of Different Job's Tears (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) Accessions and the Active Composition and Anticancer Effect of Its Seed Oil. PLOS ONE (2016).
3. Clinical Safety and Efficacy of Kanglaite® (Coix Seed Oil) Injection Combined with Chemotherapy in Treating Patients with Gastric Cancer. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention (2012).
4. Kanglaite sensitizes colorectal cancer cells to Taxol via NF-κΒ inhibition and connexin 43 upregulation. Scientific Reports (2017).
5. Kanglaite Injection Combined with Chemotherapy versus Chemotherapy Alone for the Improvement of Clinical Efficacy and Immune Function in Patients with Advanced Non‐Small‐Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2020).