BackgroundPhillygenin (PLE) is a bioactive constituent of Forsythiae fructus that exerts hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the mechanisms underlying its activity remain insufficiently characterized.MethodsThe effect of PLE on HCCLM3 and Hep3B tumor cells was assessed using immunofluorescence (IF) staining, TUNEL assay, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting experimental methodology. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to dete