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Naturally Occurring Steroidal Saponins as Potential Anticancer Agents: Current Developments and Mechanisms of Action

Yulin Zou1

  • 1The Third Clinical Medical College of China Three Gorges University, Gezhouba Central Hospital of Sinopharm, Yichang, 443002, Hubei, China.

Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
|March 30, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Naturally occurring steroidal saponins show significant anticancer potential, offering promising alternatives to conventional chemotherapy. This review highlights their mechanisms and recent advancements in cancer drug development.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Natural Products Chemistry
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Cancer remains a leading global cause of mortality.
  • Conventional chemotherapy faces challenges due to multidrug resistance.
  • Novel anticancer agents are urgently needed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent progress on naturally occurring steroidal saponins as anticancer agents.
  • To discuss the mechanisms of action of these compounds.
  • To cover literature published between 2017 and 2021.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific articles.
  • Focus on naturally occurring steroidal saponins.
  • Analysis of anticancer properties and mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Steroidal saponins exhibit diverse anticancer activities.
  • Various pathways are involved in their therapeutic effects.
  • These natural compounds show promise as lead candidates for new drugs.

Conclusions:

  • Naturally occurring steroidal saponins are valuable sources for novel anticancer drug development.
  • Further research into their mechanisms can optimize cancer therapy.
  • These compounds represent a promising avenue to overcome chemotherapy resistance.
Keywords:
Anticancer activityChemotherapyMechanisms of actionMultidrug resistanceNatural productsSaponinsSteroidal

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