The major findings of this study are as follows: TCF4 promoted TWIST1-mediated PTHLH expression; emodin and Pc-Ex suppressed TGFβ1-induced PTHLH expression by inhibiting the interaction between TCF4 and TWIST1; emodin-containing Pc-Ex alleviated skeletal muscle wasting and fat browning and downregulated the expression of atrophy-associated genes in tumour-bearing mice. The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is neoplasm.