Anticancer drugs designed by mother nature: ancient drugs but modern targets

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Oncology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Nuclear factor-kappaBeta (NF-kappaBeta) is a key transcription factor activated by diverse stimuli, including inflammatory agents, carcinogens, and stresses.
• Constitutively active NF-kappaBeta is prevalent in various tumors, regulating over 400 genes linked to cancer progression, inflammation, and metastasis.
• NF-kappaBeta's critical role in pathogenesis necessitates the search for specific inhibitors for cancer and inflammation prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence on agents from fruits and vegetables that inhibit the NF-kappaBeta pathway.
• To explore the relationship between drug structure and NF-kappaBeta inhibitory activity.
• To re-evaluate traditional medicine's potential in light of modern scientific understanding for therapeutic and preventive applications.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating NF-kappaBeta inhibitors.
• Analysis of plant-derived compounds, particularly from fruits and vegetables.
• Discussion of structure-activity relationships for NF-kappaBeta inhibition.

Main Results:

• Numerous agents from fruits and vegetables demonstrate interference with the NF-kappaBeta pathway.
• Ancient plants and their components are identified as potent NF-kappaB inhibitors.
• The review discusses the structural basis for the inhibitory activity of these agents.

Conclusions:

• Fruits and vegetables contain compounds that can inhibit the NF-kappaBeta pathway, suggesting a role in cancer prevention.
• Rediscovering and validating traditional medicine principles with modern scientific methods is crucial for developing new therapies.
• Understanding the structure-activity relationship of natural compounds can guide the development of novel NF-kappaBeta inhibitors.