Anticancer Attributes of Cantharidin: Involved Molecular Mechanisms and Pathways

Naz, Faiza; Wu, Yi-Ting; Zhang, Nan; Yang, Zhao; Chen, Yu

doi:10.3390/molecules25143279

Cited by 45 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 90 publications

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“…The use of cantharidin as an aphrodisiac is known all over the world [ 43 ] and it also functions as a diuretic, and for the treatment of warts; again it comes with a warning that the consumption can be fatal [ 44 ]. Modern medicine has shown that cantharidin extracted from male blister beetles can be used as a medicine, e.g., it can suppress liver, pancreatic, colon, bladder and breast cancer [ 45 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cultural Significance of Beetles in Sub-Saharan Africa

Huis

2021

Insects

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An overview is given of how beetles are utilised, perceived, and experienced in daily life across sub-Saharan Africa. More than 300 people from 27 countries were interviewed and the results were compared with literature findings. Both the adults and larvae of many beetle species are eaten, mainly from the families Curculionidae, Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Dytiscidae and Scarabaeidae. Some beetle species are used for medicinal purposes. The use of breast-shaped water beetles by adolescent girls to stimulate breast growth could be due to superstition or the effect of the defensive secretion containing steroid hormones. Blister beetles contain cantharidin, which influences the urinary tract, and is therefore used as an aphrodisiac and for treating venereal disease. Throughout Africa children play with beetles by letting them fly on a string. In the Sahel, the hard work of dung beetles is an inspiration for stories. Fireflies are generally associated with ghosts and witches, likely because the glowing of the beetles is interpreted as magical. Many beetle groups are brightly and attractively coloured and are therefore used in ceremonies and commerce. This type of indigenous knowledge, revealed in stories provided by older people, is rapidly disappearing due to urbanisation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cultural Significance of Beetles in Sub-Saharan Africa

Huis

2021

Insects

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“…However, the therapeutic dose is close to the toxic dose, with a lethal oral dose of 10‐60 mg and a median lethal dose (LD 50 ) of 1.71 mg/kg in mice 5 . CTD can cause damage to multiple organs, including the liver, kidney, myocardium, bladder and small intestine, with liver injury being particularly serious 6,7 . Cantharidin induces the production of d‐reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an increase in lipid peroxidation, resulting in oxidative stress.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Protective mechanism of Astragalus Polysaccharides against Cantharidin‐induced liver injury determined in vivo by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry metabolomics

Huang

Tang

Chang

et al. 2021

Basic Clin Pharma Tox

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Cantharidin (CTD) is a promising anticancer drug; however, its dosage is limited by hepatotoxicity. We previously showed that Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) effectively improved chemical liver injury. In this study, we established a CTD‐induced subacute liver injury mouse model and examined the effects of APS on weight, liver indexes, histopathology, serum biochemical indexes and liver metabolism. Compared with the control group, mice in the CTD model group had obvious liver damage, which was partially prevented by APS. Metabolomics demonstrated that CTD caused liver damage mainly by regulating glycerophospholipid metabolism, ABC transporter pathways and choline metabolism in cancer in vivo. APS regulated primary bile acid biosynthesis and glycerophospholipid metabolism, thus decreasing the liver damage caused by CTD. This study revealed the protective mechanism of APS against CTD‐induced liver injury from the perspective of metabolomics. The results provide an important basis for analysing the mechanism of CTD‐induced liver toxicity and for assessing clinical treatment options to reduce CTD liver toxicity.

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“…Cantharidin can inhibit the proliferation of leukemic cells, induce apoptosis, block the cell cycle, and enhance the inhibitory effect of chemotherapeutic drugs [9][10][11]. In addition, it can delay tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis [12]. At present, the therapeutic mechanism employed by mylabris against tumors remains unknown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pharmacological mechanism of mylabris in the treatment of leukemia based on bioinformatics and systematic pharmacology

Zhan

Bai

et al. 2021

Bioengineered

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Leukemia is a common blood cancer, whose treatment usually necessitates chemo/radiotherapy and bone marrow transplant. Hence, safer and more effective options are urgently needed. Mylabris, the dried body of blister beetles, has been used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine. This study applied bioinformatics and systematic pharmacology to investigate the mechanism of action of mylabris in the treatment of leukemia. Five effective components and 35 corresponding target proteins were identified by screening the TCMSP database; whereas 776 genes related to leukemia were selected using OMIM, GeneCards, and the Therapeutic Target Database. Eight genes common to mylabris and leukemia were identified. Protein-protein interaction network analysis and a component-target-pathway diagram identified TP53 and PTEN as key gene targets of mylabris in the treatment of leukemia. GO enrichment analysis pointed to DNA damage and cell cycle disorder caused by p53 signaling as the most significant processes; whereas KEGG enrichment pointed to the p53 signaling pathway. In summary, mylabris may exert a therapeutic effect on leukemia by triggering DNA damage, inducing apoptosis, as well as inhibiting the growth and proliferation of tumor cells through the regulation of TP53 and PTEN. These findings provide a mechanistic rationale for the treatment of leukemia with traditional Chinese medicine.

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Anticancer Attributes of Cantharidin: Involved Molecular Mechanisms and Pathways

Cited by 45 publications

References 90 publications

Cultural Significance of Beetles in Sub-Saharan Africa

Cultural Significance of Beetles in Sub-Saharan Africa

Protective mechanism of Astragalus Polysaccharides against Cantharidin‐induced liver injury determined in vivo by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry metabolomics

Pharmacological mechanism of mylabris in the treatment of leukemia based on bioinformatics and systematic pharmacology

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