Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 8, 2025

Generation of Prostate Cancer Cell Models of Resistance to the Anti-mitotic Agent Docetaxel
06:44

Generation of Prostate Cancer Cell Models of Resistance to the Anti-mitotic Agent Docetaxel

Published on: September 8, 2017

13.5K

Anti-tumor pharmacology of natural products targeting mitosis

Manru Huang1,2, Caiyan Liu1,2, Yingying Shao1,2

  • 1Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China.

Cancer Biology & Medicine
|June 14, 2022
PubMed

Insights

This review explores natural products that target cancer cell mitosis, a key factor in tumor growth. Understanding these compounds and their mechanisms can lead to new cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Natural Products Chemistry

Background:

  • Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation, often linked to abnormal mitosis.
  • Targeting mitosis presents a promising strategy for developing novel anti-cancer therapeutics.
  • Natural products offer a rich source of compounds with potential anti-tumor activities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review natural products exhibiting anti-cancer effects by targeting mitosis.
  • To discuss the mechanisms of action, including microtubule targeting, DNA damage induction, and kinase modulation.
  • To address limitations of current natural product-based therapies and propose solutions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific studies on natural products and their impact on mitosis.
  • Analysis of mechanisms by which natural products interfere with cancer cell division.
  • Evaluation of challenges such as drug resistance, toxicity, and poor pharmacokinetics.

Main Results:

  • Several natural products demonstrate significant anti-mitotic and anti-tumor properties.
  • Key targets include microtubules, DNA, and mitosis-associated kinases.
  • Common limitations include drug resistance, off-target toxicity, and unfavorable pharmacokinetic profiles.

Conclusions:

  • Natural products targeting mitosis hold potential for cancer treatment development.
  • Strategies to overcome compound limitations are crucial for therapeutic success.
  • Further research into cancer cell mitosis and natural product interactions can drive innovation in oncology.
Keywords:
Tumormechanismmitosisnatural productspharmacology

More Related Videos

Through the Looking Glass: Time-lapse Microscopy and Longitudinal Tracking of Single Cells to Study Anti-cancer Therapeutics06:00

Through the Looking Glass: Time-lapse Microscopy and Longitudinal Tracking of Single Cells to Study Anti-cancer Therapeutics

Published on: May 14, 2016

11.1K
Long-term Live-cell Imaging to Assess Cell Fate in Response to Paclitaxel08:29

Long-term Live-cell Imaging to Assess Cell Fate in Response to Paclitaxel

Published on: May 14, 2018

10.0K

Related Concept Videos

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
2.0K
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.1K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.8K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
6.6K
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
4.9K
Destabilization of Microtubules01:45

Destabilization of Microtubules

The destabilization of microtubules can occur during different stages of the microtubule lifecycle, such as nucleation or elongation. It can take place at either end of the microtubule or in the microtubule lattices as a whole. The lifespan of individual microtubules within a cell varies according to the cell type and stage of the cell cycle. During interphase, the lifespan of the microtubule is about 30 minutes, while during cell division, it is about 15 minutes. In axonal microtubules of...
2.8K