Plant-Derived Anticancer Compounds as New Perspectives in Drug Discovery and Alternative Therapy

Abstract

Despite the recent advances in the field of chemically synthetized pharmaceutical agents, nature remains the main supplier of bioactive molecules. The research of natural products is a valuable approach for the discovery and development of novel biologically active compounds possessing unique structures and mechanisms of action. Although their use belongs to the traditional treatment regimes, plant-derived compounds still cover a large portion of the current-day pharmaceutical agents. Their medical importance is well recognized in the field of oncology, especially as an alternative to the limitations of conventional chemotherapy (severe side effects and inefficacy due to the occurrence of multi-drug resistance). This review offers a comprehensive perspective of the first blockbuster chemotherapeutic agents of natural origin's (e.g. taxol, vincristine, doxorubicin) mechanism of action using 3D representation. In addition is portrayed the step-by-step evolution from preclinical to clinical evaluation of the most recently studied natural compounds with potent antitumor activity (e.g. resveratrol, curcumin, betulinic acid, etc.) in terms of anticancer mechanisms of action and the possible indications as chemotherapeutic or chemopreventive agents and sensitizers. Finally, this review describes several efficient platforms for the encapsulation and targeted delivery of natural compounds in cancer treatment

Assessment of Betulinic Acid Cytotoxicity and Mitochondrial Metabolism Impairment in a Human Melanoma Cell Line

“…BA has unequivocally proven its efficacy both in vitro and in vivo against a plethora of malignancies (melanoma, colorectal cancer, lung, hepatocellular, breast, prostate, stomach, pancreatic, neck and head carcinoma, ovarian, glioblastoma, chronic myeloid leukemia) and its selectivity, inducing no/very low effects on healthy/normal cells even at doses as high as 500 mg/kg body weight [ 17 , 24 ]. Moreover, BA formulated for topical application (20% betulinic acid ointment) was assessed in a phase I/II clinical trial for dysplastic nevi that can evolve towards melanoma; unfortunately, the study was suspended due to funding restriction [ 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

Role of Luteolin-Induced Apoptosis and Autophagy in Human Glioblastoma Cell Lines

“…Nevertheless, many patients still suffer due to resistance to anticancer drugs, recurrence, and various side effects of drugs [ 29 , 30 ]. To overcome the various negative effects of anticancer drugs, many researchers have been searching for new anticancer drugs from plant-derived compounds with fewer side effects; the efficacy of such drugs, especially those derived from flavonoid compounds, has been proven [ 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

EGFR and ERK activation resists flavonoid quercetin‑induced anticancer activities in human cervical cancer cells in vitro

“…At present, the morbidity and mortality rates of cervical cancer are at the forefront of malignant tumors, which seriously threatens the health of women (16). In recent years, plant-derived compounds, with the potential to inhibit the development and the proliferation of tumors, have attracted increased attention from scientific researchers (17)(18)(19). In the present study, based on network pharmacology, Que is one of the effective ingredients of SH, then the hub gene, EGFR was identified, which could be associated with Que.…”