Toxicity and Anticancer Potential of Karwinskia: A Review

Abstract

Karwinskia genus consists of shrubs and small trees. Four toxic compounds have been isolated from Karwinskia plants, which were typified as dimeric anthracenones and named T496, T514, T516, and T544. Moreover, several related compounds have been isolated and characterized. Here we review the toxicity of the fruit of Karwinskia plants when ingested (accidentally or experimentally), as well as the toxicity of its isolated compounds. Additionally, we analyze the probable antineoplastic effect of T514. Toxins cause damage mainly to nervous system, liver, lung, and kidney. The pathophysiological mechanism has not been fully understood but includes metabolic and structural alterations that can lead cells to apoptosis or necrosis. T514 has shown selective toxicity in vitro against human cancer cells. T514 causes selective and irreversible damage to peroxisomes; for this reason, it was renamed peroxisomicine A1 (PA1). Since a significant number of malignant cell types contain fewer peroxisomes than normal cells, tumor cells would be more easily destroyed by PA1 than healthy cells. Inhibition of topoisomerase II has also been suggested to play a role in the effect of PA1 on malignant cells. More research is needed, but the evidence obtained so far indicates that PA1 could be an effective anticancer agent.

In Vitro Antioxidant and Anticancer Properties of Various E. senegalensis Extracts

“…Thus, this study reveals for the first time, at least to our best knowledge, the presence of tannins, saponosides, emodoles, anthracenosides, coumarins and derivatives in the extracts of E. senegalensis [10,19,[62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70]. Importantly, these chemical families include numerous compounds with antioxidant and/or anticancer properties [71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80]. Reactions to detect alkaloids, anthocyanosides and cardiotonic heterosides were negative for the three extracts of E. senegalensis.…”