Plant-Derived Chemicals: A Source of Inspiration for New Drugs

Seidel, Véronique

doi:10.3390/plants9111562

Cited by 17 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Consequently, significantly increasing interest in the use of natural substances as potential agents in the prevention and treatment of many human diseases, including cancer, is being observed nowadays [97][98][99][100]. Following this, the modification of phytochemicals with anti-tumor properties verified in cellular and animal models is a well-known method to obtain new compounds with improved pharmacokinetic parameters, activity and selectivity towards cancer cells for potential implementation in oncological treatment [99,101,102].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acetylenic Synthetic Betulin Derivatives Inhibit Akt and Erk Kinases Activity, Trigger Apoptosis and Suppress Proliferation of Neuroblastoma and Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Lines

Król

Bębenek

Dmoszyńska‐Graniczka

et al. 2021

IJMS

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Neuroblastoma (NB) and rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common pediatric extracranial solid tumors, still represent an important clinical challenge since no effective treatment is available for metastatic and recurrent disease. Hence, there is an urgent need for the development of new chemotherapeutics to improve the outcome of patients. Betulin (Bet), a triterpenoid from the bark of birches, demonstrated interesting anti-cancer potential. The modification of natural phytochemicals with evidenced anti-tumor activity, including Bet, is one of the methods of receiving new compounds for potential implementation in oncological treatment. Here, we showed that two acetylenic synthetic Bet derivatives (ASBDs), EB5 and EB25/1, reduced the viability and proliferation of SK-N-AS and TE671 cells, as measured by MTT and BrdU tests, respectively. Moreover, ASBDs were also more cytotoxic than temozolomide (TMZ) and cisplatin (cis-diaminedichloroplatinum [II], CDDP) in vitro, and the combination of EB5 with CDDP enhanced anti-cancer effects. We also showed the slowdown of cell cycle progression at S/G2 phases mediated by EB5 using FACS flow cytometry. The decreased viability and proliferation of pediatric cancers cells after treatment with ASBDs was linked to the reduced activity of kinases Akt, Erk1/2 and p38 and the induction of apoptosis, as investigated using Western blotting and FACS. In addition, in silico analyses of the ADMET profile found EB5 to be a promising anti-cancer drug candidate that would benefit from further investigation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acetylenic Synthetic Betulin Derivatives Inhibit Akt and Erk Kinases Activity, Trigger Apoptosis and Suppress Proliferation of Neuroblastoma and Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Lines

Król

Bębenek

Dmoszyńska‐Graniczka

et al. 2021

IJMS

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“…Approximately 25% of allopathic drugs are currently made from plant-related substances and compounds extracted from plants (Rao et al, 2004). Approximately 15% of plant species have been researched phytochemically, and only 6% have been tested for their pharmacological potency (Seidel, 2020). Thus, there are still many plant-derived chemicals whose medicinal prospects need to be explored (Atanasov et al, 2015;Beutler, 2009;Thomford et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Status and Role of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) in Nepalese Livelihood

et al. 2021

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Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), a principal sub-component of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), are undoubtedly an important source of revenue and rural employment. This review paper explores the current ecological and prioritized status of MAPs by the Government and the practical significance of MAPs in bodily health, lucrative employment to the Nepalese population, and revenue opportunities to the government based on 72 published articles from 1995 to 2021. The Department of Plant Resources (DPR) reported that the number of medicinal plant species has increased from 701 in 2007 to 819 in 2016 with 285 endemic plant species from 43 families, and 238 chemically tested MAPs species for medicinal significance. MAPs are highly prevalent within the 1000-2500m elevation gradient in Nepal. GoN has categorized 30 species for economic development, 12 species for cultivation and research, 12 species for protection, and 237 species for collecting royalties. Around 100 Nepalese NTFPs/MAPs are traded, but only 20 species accounts for 80% of the total trade in terms of volume and value. Nepal ranks 42nd with a value of $7.4 million and 62nd with a value of $3.3 million in exports of MAPs and essential oils, respectively, in 2017. About 80% of the Nepalese population relies on traditional medicine for basic health needs. The NTFPs/MAPs Business Promotion Strategy specifies 20 species for product promotion across Nepal. As current data are still lacking on different uses of MAPs in Nepalese society, this comprehensive review will facilitate herbal specialists, policymakers, scientific researchers, botanists, and various key stakeholders to assure better research and increase the export of MAPs in Nepal. Therefore, this study recommends public, private, and government- agencies to contribute to the infrastructure development through competitive "field-to-market" incentives and funding for the increment of the export of MAPs that directly improve the socio-economic status of the Nepalese people.

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“…The world's demand for biological resources as natural ingredients is growing rapidly. This creates new opportunities for investment and the production of nature-based products, but also places pressure on natural resources, thus creating threats for local biodiversity and its associated traditional knowledge [1,2]. On the other hand, because of the increasingly globalized economy, international trade associated with specific value chains of products demanded in developed countries has become one of the main drivers of species loss in biodiversity-rich nations, in particular in developing countries [3,4].…”

Section: Introduction 1access and Benefit Sharing And The Use Of Natural Ingredientsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Access and Benefit Sharing and the Sustainable Trade of Biodiversity in Myanmar: The Case of Thanakha

et al. 2021

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The global demand for biological resources to use as natural ingredients in diverse products is rising rapidly. This creates investment opportunities for nature-based products, creating pressure on and threats to biodiversity and its associated traditional knowledge (TK). Myanmar’s great biodiversity is attractive for scientific investigations searching for natural substances for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and other uses. Myanmar is amid profound political and economic changes, exposing the country to risks and opportunities. The recent opening to world trade put its rich biodiversity and TK under severe threat. One of the local natural biodiversity products is Thanakha, which is traditionally used for skincare. This study investigates the current and planned regulations and practices managing Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) in Myanmar, focusing on one of the potential BioTrade products: Thanakha. A qualitative and quantitative survey was conducted through in-depth interviews with 37 key informants and 35 Thanakha farmers. The results show that while the current research and development activities at the Thanakha manufacturing level could trigger ABS obligations, the low awareness about ABS requirements and the lack of traceability raise uncertainties for its potential implementation. The implementation of BioTrade principles and ethical sourcing to promote the sustainable trade of Thanakha, as well as the implementation of ABS, would lead to the protection of biodiversity and TK, and the improvement of local livelihoods.

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Plant-Derived Chemicals: A Source of Inspiration for New Drugs

Cited by 17 publications

References 13 publications

Acetylenic Synthetic Betulin Derivatives Inhibit Akt and Erk Kinases Activity, Trigger Apoptosis and Suppress Proliferation of Neuroblastoma and Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Lines

Acetylenic Synthetic Betulin Derivatives Inhibit Akt and Erk Kinases Activity, Trigger Apoptosis and Suppress Proliferation of Neuroblastoma and Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Lines

Status and Role of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) in Nepalese Livelihood

Access and Benefit Sharing and the Sustainable Trade of Biodiversity in Myanmar: The Case of Thanakha

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