AlbA-DCA, a conjugate of Albiziabioside A and a dichloroacetate acid subunit, markedly increases intracellular ROS, alleviates lactic acid accumulation in the tumor microenvironment, selectively kills cancer cells, and induces apoptosis.

AlbA-DCA exhibits cytotoxicity against MCF-7, HCT116, A375, 4T1, HBMEC, and LO2 cells (IC50s: 0.43 μM, 3.87 μM, 3.78 μM, 1.31 μM, 38.20 μM, and 53.14 μM, respectively). Treatment with AlbA-DCA (2 μM; 24 hours) induces apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, significantly up-regulating cytochrome c expression, down-regulating Bcl-2 expression, and enhancing caspase-9 expression.

AlbA-DCA (2 mg/kg; subcutaneous injection; every 2 days; for 2 weeks; nude mice) demonstrates significant antitumor efficacy, nearly completely inhibiting tumor progression with no observed mortality or significant changes in body weight. Additionally, AlbA-DCA exhibits no apparent toxicity in the liver and kidney, nor any major abnormalities in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney.