Plumbagin, a Natural Compound with Several Biological Effects and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Abstract

Phytochemicals from various medicinal plants are well known for their antioxidant properties and anti-cancer effects. Many of these bioactive compounds or natural products have demonstrated effects against inflammation, while some showed a role that is only approximately described as anti-inflammatory. In particular, naphthoquinones are naturally-occurring compounds with different pharmacological activities and allow easy scaffold modification for drug design approaches. Among this class of compounds, Plumbagin, a plant-derived product, has shown interesting counteracting effects in many inflammation models. However, scientific knowledge about the beneficial effect of Plumbagin should be comprehensively reported before candidating this natural molecule into a future drug against specific human diseases. In this review, the most relevant mechanisms in which Plumbagin plays a role in the process of inflammation were summarized. Other relevant bioactive effects were reviewed to provide a complete and compact scenario of Plumbagin’s potential therapeutic significance.

Naphthoquinone derivatives as potential immunomodulators: prospective for COVID-19 treatment

“…7,15 Shikonin, a naphthoquinone found in the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Siebold & Zucc, 16 has attracted attention for its therapeutic properties. 14 However, the overexploitation of shikonin-producing plants has raised environmental concerns. 15 In contrast, 3,5,8-trihydroxy-6-methoxy-2-(5oxohexa-1,3-dienyl)-naphthanthene-1,4-dione (3,5,8-TMON, 2) is a naturally occurring naphthoquinone produced by the fungus Cordyceps sp.…”

“…8 Several naphthoquinones have been investigated for their biological activities, encompassing antimalarial, 9 anti-cancer, 10,11 antimycobacterial, 12,13 and anti-inflammatory properties. 14 Notable examples of plant-derived naphthoquinones used in biological activity assessments include lawsone, lapachol, β-lapachone, plumbagin, and shikonin (see Fig. 1 ).…”

Cellular ROS tolerance determines the effect of plumbagin on osteoclast differentiation

“…Because of its antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory activities, the plant has been used medically in Eastern cultures to treat rheumatoid arthritis, parasite infections, dermatological problems, and infectious diseases 14 . Plumbagin's primary mechanism of action in cancer cells is the activation of apoptosis through the increased production of ROS and cell cycle arrest by the induction of DNA strand breaks 14–16 . Additionally, inhibition of electron transport and uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos), and the intercalation in the DNA structure or a bioreductive alkylation of biomolecules have been reported 17,18 …”

“…14 Plumbagin's primary mechanism of action in cancer cells is the activation of apoptosis through the increased production of ROS and cell cycle arrest by the induction of DNA strand breaks. [14][15][16] Additionally, inhibition of electron transport and uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos), and the intercalation in the DNA structure or a bioreductive alkylation of biomolecules have been reported. 17,18 Recent cancer research has focused on plumbagin, and promising findings have been reported in cases of several cancer types, including lung, prostate, breast, cervical, colorectal cancer, leukemia, and melanoma.…”

“…The bioactive substance was first discovered in the roots of Plumbago zeylanica , but is also present in other plants, including the Droseraceae and Juglandaceae families. Because of its antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory activities, the plant has been used medically in Eastern cultures to treat rheumatoid arthritis, parasite infections, dermatological problems, and infectious diseases 14 . Plumbagin's primary mechanism of action in cancer cells is the activation of apoptosis through the increased production of ROS and cell cycle arrest by the induction of DNA strand breaks 14–16 .…”