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Targeting inflammatory pathways by triterpenoids for prevention and treatment of cancer

Vivek R Yadav1, Sahdeo Prasad, Bokyung Sung

  • 1Cytokine Research Laboratory, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, TX, USA. vryadav@mdanderson.org

Toxins
|November 10, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Natural compounds called triterpenes, found in traditional medicine and diet, can inhibit key inflammation pathways (NF-κB and STAT3). This suggests their potential for preventing and treating chronic diseases, especially cancer.

Area of Science:

  • * Integrative oncology
  • * Natural product chemistry
  • * Molecular biology

Background:

  • * Chronic inflammation is a key mediator in most chronic diseases, including cancer.
  • * Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and STAT3 are critical transcription factors regulating inflammation and cancer progression.
  • * Targeting these pathways offers a strategy for cancer prevention and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To review the potential of triterpenes, derived from traditional medicine and diet, in suppressing inflammation.
  • * To explore triterpenes as agents for inhibiting NF-κB and STAT3 activation pathways.
  • * To highlight the role of diet and traditional medicine in cancer prevention and therapy.

Main Methods:

  • * Literature review of scientific studies on triterpenes and their anti-inflammatory effects.
  • * Analysis of the molecular mechanisms by which triterpenes modulate NF-κB and STAT3 signaling.
  • * Compilation of evidence supporting the use of specific triterpenes in traditional medicine and their link to cancer prevention.

Main Results:

  • * Triterpenes, including avicins, betulinic acid, boswellic acid, celastrol, diosgenin, madecassic acid, maslinic acid, momordin, saikosaponins, platycodon, pristimerin, ursolic acid, and withanolide, demonstrate potent anti-inflammatory properties.
  • * These compounds effectively inhibit the activation of NF-κB and STAT3 signaling pathways.
  • * Evidence supports the role of these triterpenes in suppressing cellular transformation, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis.

Conclusions:

  • * Triterpenes represent a promising class of natural compounds for cancer prevention and treatment by targeting inflammatory pathways.
  • * Dietary and traditional medicinal sources of triterpenes can be leveraged for therapeutic benefits.
  • * The findings support the concept of
Keywords:
angiogenesisapoptosisinflammationinvasionnuclear factor-κBtriterpenoidstumor cell proliferation

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