The continuing search for antitumor agents from higher plants.
Li Pan1, Heebyung Chai, A Douglas Kinghorn
1Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, OH 43210, USA.
Phytochemistry Letters
|March 16, 2010
Summary
Higher plants provide crucial anticancer drugs. This review highlights plant-derived compounds in clinical trials, showcasing their structural diversity and potential for future cancer chemotherapy drug discovery.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Natural Products Chemistry
- Oncology
Background:
- Plant-derived compounds have a long history in medicine, particularly in cancer treatment.
- Natural products remain a vital source for discovering novel anticancer agents.
- The structural diversity of plant secondary metabolites offers unique therapeutic opportunities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review selected single chemical entity antineoplastic agents from higher plants currently in clinical trials.
- To summarize approaches used in discovering anticancer agents from tropical plants.
- To underscore the ongoing importance of plant-derived compounds in cancer chemotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of plant-derived antineoplastic agents in clinical trials.
- Summary of laboratory-based discovery approaches for tropical plant anticancer agents.
- Analysis of structural diversity among selected compounds.
Main Results:
- Several plant-derived compounds are in clinical trials as cancer chemotherapy candidates.
- These compounds exhibit significant structural diversity.
- The authors' laboratory has developed specific approaches for discovering tropical plant-derived anticancer agents.
Conclusions:
- Plant-derived compounds continue to be a significant source of anticancer drugs.
- The pipeline of plant-derived anticancer agents in clinical trials is promising.
- Continued research into plant secondary metabolites is essential for future drug discovery.
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