Advances in studies on inhibitors of NF-κB derived from plant
10.7501/j.issn.0253-2670.2014.19.024
- Author:
Qi-Lai CHENG
1
Author Information
1. Hunan University of Chinese Medicine
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Cancer;
Inflammation;
Inhibitors of NF-κB;
Natural product;
Nuclear factor-κB
- From:
Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs
2014;45(19):2855-2863
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Plant secondary metabolites (natural products) have been a source for many medicines. Their functions in plants often remain unknown, but in recent years there are more and more new compounds isolated and identified and their medicinal potentials are investigated. The major classes of plant natural products and various derivatives thereof are: phenolics, terpenoids, alkaloids, and lignans. The major transcription factor, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a central downstream regulator of inflammation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis which controls the expression of more than 500 genes. It plays an essential role in several aspects of human health including the development of innate and adaptive immunity. The degradation of NF-κB is associated with many ailments including cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases. In spite of a vast literature describing NF-κB inhibitors from many natural or synthetic sources, such modulators have not been fully tapped for therapeutic purposes and the search for effective and specific inhibitors for therapeutic use with fewer side effects is still relevant and ongoing. Plant-derived phytochemicals are promising the lead compounds to develop potent and safe inhibitors for cancer and inflammatory disorders driven by NF-κB. The recent knowledge on the plant-derived phytochemicals and their major NF-κB molecular targets are briefly reviewed in this paper.
