1.Natural alkaloids: basic aspects, biological roles, and future perspectives.
Shi QIU ; Hui SUN ; Ai-Hua ZHANG ; Hong-Ying XU ; Guang-Li YAN ; Ying HAN ; Xi-Jun WANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2014;12(6):401-406
Natural products have gained popularity worldwide for promoting healthcare, as well as disease prevention. Alkaloids are important chemical compounds that serve as a rich reservoir for drug discovery. Several alkaloids isolated from natural herbs exhibit antiproliferation, antibacterial, antiviral, insecticidal, and antimetastatic effects on various types of cancers both in vitro and in vivo. This paper focuses on the naturally-derived alkaloids such as berberine, matrine, piperine, fritillarine, and rhynchophylline, etc., and summarizes the action mechanisms of these compounds. Based on the information in the literature that is summarized in this paper, the use of alkaloids as drugs is very promising, but more research and clinical trials are necessary before final recommendations on specific alkaloids can be made. Following this, it is hoped that as a result of this review, there will be a greater awareness of the excellent promise that natural alkaloids show for use in the therapy of diseases.
Alkaloids
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Animals
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
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Antineoplastic Agents
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
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Biological Products
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
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Humans
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Hypoglycemic Agents
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
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Phytotherapy
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Plant Extracts
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
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Plants
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chemistry
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Porifera
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chemistry
2.Research progress of in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor effects and formulation of bufalin.
Ying XU ; Mei CHEN ; Xue-Feng JIN ; Chen QIAN ; Xi-Ming XU ; Xuan ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2014;39(15):2829-2833
Bufalin is an active compound of the traditional Chinese medicine Chansu, which exhibits significant anti-tumor activities in many solid tumors and leukemia cell lines. Bufalin could introduce apoptosis, reverse drug-resistance, and prevent migration and invasion of tumor cells. This paper reviewed the latest research progress of the in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor effect and mechanism of bufalin on a series of cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, lung cancer, colon cancer, gastric cancer, leukemia, bladder cancer, and its formulation study is also summarized for the reference of its further study and application.
Animals
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Antineoplastic Agents
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chemistry
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Bufanolides
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chemistry
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
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methods
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Neoplasms
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drug therapy
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pathology
3.Progress of research on Inonotus obliquus.
Xiu-hong ZHONG ; Kuang REN ; Shi-jie LU ; Shu-yan YANG ; Dong-zhi SUN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2009;15(2):156-160
Inonotus obliquus has high nutritional and medicinal value, especially in treating malignant tumors, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and AIDS, attracting significant attention from scholars in recent years. In this paper, the biological characteristics, chemical composition and pharmacologic effects of Inonotus obliquus were summarized. And the applications in medicine and food were introduced. Future research on Inonotus obliquus was also discussed in order to make Inonotus obliquus obtain effective exploitation and satisfy people's demands.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
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chemistry
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Antineoplastic Agents
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chemistry
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
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Antioxidants
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chemistry
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Antiviral Agents
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chemistry
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
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Basidiomycota
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chemistry
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Biomedical Research
;
trends
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal
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chemistry
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Humans
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Hypoglycemic Agents
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chemistry
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
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Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
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chemistry
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Triterpenes
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chemistry
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isolation & purification
4.Innovative In Vitro Chemo-Hormonal Drug Therapy for Refractory Thyroid Carcinomas.
Tae Yon SUNG ; Sung Ho CHOI ; Jung Min LEE ; Jong Ju JEONG ; Sang Wook KANG ; Woong Youn CHUNG
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2012;27(7):729-735
More than 95% of the thyroid carcinomas are well differentiated types showing favorable prognosis. However, only a few therapeutic options are available to treat the patients with undifferentiated thyroid carcinomas, especially with refractory thyroid carcinomas that are not amenable to surgery or radioiodine ablation. We investigated the anticancer effects of 20 chemotherapy and hormonal therapy drugs on 8 thyroid carcinoma cell lines. In vitro chemosensitivity was tested using the adenosine-triphosphate-based chemotherapy response assay (ATP-CRA). The tumor inhibition rate (TIR; or cell death rate) or half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was analyzed to interpret the results. Of the 12 chemotherapy drugs, etoposide (178.9 index value in follicular carcinoma cell line) and vincristine (211.7 in Hurthle cell carcinoma cell line) were the most active drugs showing the highest chemosensitivity, and of the 8 additional drugs, trichostatin A (0.03 microg/mL IC50 in follicular carcinoma cell line) showed favorable outcome having the anticancer effect. In our study, the result of etoposide and vincristine show evidence as active anticancer drugs in thyroid carcinoma cell lines and trichostatin A seems be the next promising drug. These drugs may become an innovative therapy for refractory thyroid carcinomas in near future.
Adenosine Triphosphate/chemistry/pharmacology/therapeutic use
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Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry/*pharmacology/therapeutic use
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Apoptosis/drug effects
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Etoposide/chemistry/pharmacology/therapeutic use
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Humans
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Hydroxamic Acids/chemistry/pharmacology/therapeutic use
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Thyroid Neoplasms/drug therapy
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Vincristine/chemistry/pharmacology/therapeutic use
5.Lobelia chinensis: chemical constituents and anticancer activity perspective.
Mei-Wan CHEN ; Wen-Rong CHEN ; Jin-Ming ZHANG ; Xiao-Ying LONG ; Yi-Tao WANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2014;12(2):103-107
Research has demonstrated that many chemical constituents dominated by piperidine alkaloids and flavonoids, such as lobelanidine, lobeline, and lobelanine, have been obtained from Lobelia chinensis Lour. Experimental studies and clinical applications have also indicated that L. chinensis possesses a number of pharmacological activities (e.g., diuretic, choleretic, breathing excitement, anti-venom, anti-bacterial, and anticancer). This paper focuses on the properties, chemical constituents, and anticancer activity of L. chinensis to clarify the connection among them, and identify the active anticancer compounds. This work serves as the foundation for further research and development of L. chinensis.
Alkaloids
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
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Animals
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Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
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Flavonoids
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
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Humans
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Lobelia
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chemistry
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Neoplasms
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drug therapy
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Phytotherapy
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Plant Extracts
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
6.Advances in the study of the anti-tumor activity of small molecule vascular disrupting agents.
Yu-chen CAI ; Yong ZOU ; Li-jian XIAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2010;45(3):283-288
Vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) have presented a new kind of anti-cancer drug in recent years. VDAs take advantage of the weakness of established tumor endothelial cells and their supporting structures. In contrast to anti-angiogenic therapy, which inhibits the outgrowth of new blood vessels, vascular targeting treatments selectively attack the existing tumor vasculature. Here we summarized the anti-tumor activities, mechanisms and clinical applications of small molecule VDAs.
Angiogenesis Inhibitors
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chemistry
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Animals
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Antineoplastic Agents
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chemistry
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
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Bibenzyls
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chemistry
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Diphosphates
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chemistry
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Endothelial Cells
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drug effects
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Humans
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Molecular Structure
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Neoplasms
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drug therapy
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pathology
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Neovascularization, Pathologic
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Oligopeptides
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chemistry
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Organophosphorus Compounds
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chemistry
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Serine
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analogs & derivatives
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chemistry
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
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Stilbenes
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chemistry
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Tubulin Modulators
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chemistry
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Xanthones
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chemistry
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
7.Cancer therapy using natural ligands that target estrogen receptor beta.
Gangadhara R SAREDDY ; Ratna K VADLAMUDI
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2015;13(11):801-807
Estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) is one of the two key receptors (ERα, ERβ) that facilitate biological actions of 17β-estradiol (E2). ERβ is widely expressed in many tissues, and its expression is reduced or lost during progression of many tumors. ERβ facilitates estrogen signaling by both genomic (classical and non-classical) and extra-nuclear signaling. Emerging evidence suggests that ERβ functions as a tissue-specific tumor suppressor with anti-proliferative actions. Recent studies have identified a number of naturally available selective ERβ agonists. Targeting ERβ using its naturally available ligands is an attractive approach for treating and preventing cancers. This review presents the beneficial actions of ERβ signaling and clinical utility of several natural ERβ ligands as potential cancer therapy.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Equol
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Estrogen Receptor beta
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antagonists & inhibitors
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metabolism
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Flavanones
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Genistein
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Glycyrrhiza
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chemistry
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Humans
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Ligands
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Neoplasms
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drug therapy
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metabolism
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Phytotherapy
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Plant Extracts
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Soybeans
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chemistry
8.Modulation of signal transduction pathways by natural compounds in cancer.
Alok RANJAN ; Neel M FOFARIA ; Sung-Hoon KIM ; Sanjay K SRIVASTAVA
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2015;13(10):730-742
Cancer is generally regarded as the result of abnormal growth of cells. According to World Health Organization, cancer is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Mother nature provides a large source of bioactive compounds with excellent therapeutic efficacy. Numerous phytochemicals from nature have been investigated for anticancer properties. In this review article, we discuss several natural compounds, which have shown anti-cancer activity. Natural compounds induce cell cycle arrest, activate intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways, generate Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), and down-regulate activated signaling pathways, resulting in inhibition of cell proliferation, progression and metastasis of cancer. Several preclinical studies have suggested that natural compounds can also increase the sensitivity of resistant cancers to available chemotherapy agents. Furthermore, combining FDA approved anti-cancer drugs with natural compounds results in improved efficacy. On the basis of these exciting outcomes of natural compounds against several cancer types, several agents have already advanced to clinical trials. In conclusion, preclinical results and clinical outcomes against cancer suggest promising anticancer efficacy of agents from natural sources.
Animals
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Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Humans
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Magnoliopsida
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chemistry
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Neoplasms
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drug therapy
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Phytochemicals
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Phytotherapy
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Plant Extracts
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Signal Transduction
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drug effects
9.A review on pharmacological significance of genus Jatropha (Euphorbiaceae).
Surendra Kr SHARMA ; Harneet SINGH
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2012;18(11):868-880
A number of herbs belonging to the genus Jatropha of Euphorbiaceae family are noted for their medicinal benefits. The genus Jatropha is one of the prospective biodiesel yielding crops. The plants which have been so far explored include J. curcas, J. gossypifolia, J. glandulifera, J. multifida and J. podagrica. Although, the plants of this genus are widely distributed, there is an exiguity of scientific literature proclaiming the medicinal benefits of the plants belonging to genus Jatropha. The present paper is a pragmatic approach to accrue the findings on this very significant genus.
Analgesics
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Animals
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Anthelmintics
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
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Anticonvulsants
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Antidiarrheals
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
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Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
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Humans
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Hypoglycemic Agents
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pharmacology
;
therapeutic use
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Jatropha
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chemistry
;
classification
10.Progress in the study of some important natural bioactive cyclopeptides.
Wen-Yan XU ; Si-Meng ZHAO ; Guang-Zhi ZENG ; Wen-Jun HE ; Hui-Min XU ; Ning-Hu TAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2012;47(3):271-279
Natural cyclopeptides are hot spots in chemical and pharmaceutical fields because of the wide spreading bio-resources, complex molecular structures and various bioactivities. Bio-producers of cyclopeptides distribute over almost every kingdom from bacteria to plants and animals. Many cyclopeptides contain non-coded amino acids and non-pepditic bonds. Most exciting characteristic of cyclopeptides is a range of interesting bioactivities such as antibiotics gramicidin-S (2), vancomycin (3) and daptomycin (4), immunosuppressive cyclosporin-A (1) and astin-C (8), and anti-tumor aplidine (5), RA-V (6) and RA-VII (7). Compounds 1-4 are being used in clinics; compounds 5-8 are in the stages of clinical trial or as a candidate for drug research. In this review, the progress in chemical and bioactive studies on these important natural bioactive cyclopeptides 1-8 are introduced, mainly including discovery, bioactivity, mechanism, QSAR and synthesis.
Animals
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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chemical synthesis
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chemistry
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pharmacology
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Antineoplastic Agents
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chemical synthesis
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chemistry
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therapeutic use
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Cyclosporine
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chemistry
;
pharmacology
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Daptomycin
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chemical synthesis
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chemistry
;
pharmacology
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Depsipeptides
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chemical synthesis
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chemistry
;
therapeutic use
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Gramicidin
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chemical synthesis
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chemistry
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pharmacology
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Humans
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Immunosuppression
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Immunosuppressive Agents
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chemical synthesis
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chemistry
;
pharmacology
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Molecular Structure
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Neoplasms
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drug therapy
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Peptides, Cyclic
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chemical synthesis
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chemistry
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship
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Vancomycin
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chemical synthesis
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chemistry
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pharmacology