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Natural Compounds As Modulators of Non-apoptotic Cell Death in Cancer Cells
Luis Miguel Guamán-Ortiz1, Maria Isabel Ramirez Orellana1, Edward A Ratovitski1
11 Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador ; 2 Head and Neck Cancer Research Division, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Abstract:
Cell death is an innate capability of cells to be removed from microenvironment, if and when they are damaged by multiple stresses. Cell death is often regulated by multiple molecular pathways and mechanism, including apoptosis, autophagy, and necroptosis. The molecular network underlying these processes is often intertwined and one pathway can dynamically shift to another one acquiring certain protein components, in particular upon treatment with various drugs. The strategy to treat human cancer ultimately relies on the ability of anticancer therapeutics to induce tumor-specific cell death, while leaving normal adjacent cells undamaged. However, tumor cells often develop the resistance to the drug-induced cell death, thus representing a great challenge for the anticancer approaches. Numerous compounds originated from the natural sources and biopharmaceutical industries are applied today in clinics showing advantageous results. However, some exhibit serious toxic side effects. Thus, novel effective therapeutic approaches in treating cancers are continued to be developed. Natural compounds with anticancer activity have gained a great interest among researchers and clinicians alike since they have shown more favorable safety and efficacy then the synthetic marketed drugs. Numerous studies in vitro and in vivo have found that several natural compounds display promising anticancer potentials. This review underlines certain information regarding the role of natural compounds from plants, microorganisms and sea life forms, which are able to induce non-apoptotic cell death in tumor cells, namely autophagy and necroptosis.
Insights
Natural compounds can induce non-apoptotic cell death, like autophagy and necroptosis, in tumor cells. These compounds offer a promising alternative to synthetic drugs for cancer treatment, with better safety and efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cell death, including apoptosis, autophagy, and necroptosis, is crucial for removing damaged cells.
- Cancer treatment strategies aim to induce tumor-specific cell death, but drug resistance is a major challenge.
- Natural compounds are increasingly explored for anticancer properties due to their potential for improved safety and efficacy compared to synthetic drugs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of natural compounds in inducing non-apoptotic cell death pathways in cancer cells.
- To highlight natural compounds that trigger autophagy and necroptosis as therapeutic strategies.
- To explore the potential of natural products as alternatives to conventional cancer therapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on natural compounds and their effects on cell death pathways.
- Analysis of in vitro and in vivo research demonstrating anticancer activities of natural compounds.
- Focus on mechanisms of autophagy and necroptosis induction by natural products.
Main Results:
- Several natural compounds from plants, microorganisms, and marine life exhibit potent anticancer activities.
- These natural compounds can effectively induce non-apoptotic cell death mechanisms, specifically autophagy and necroptosis, in tumor cells.
- Natural compounds show promising anticancer potential with potentially fewer toxic side effects than some synthetic drugs.
Conclusions:
- Natural compounds represent a promising source for developing novel anticancer therapeutics.
- Induction of autophagy and necroptosis by natural compounds offers alternative strategies to overcome drug resistance.
- Further research into natural compounds could lead to more effective and safer cancer treatments.