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Sesquiterpene lactones as emerging biomolecules to cease cancer by targeting apoptosis

Chou-Yi Hsu1, Sadegh Rajabi2, Maryam Hamzeloo-Moghadam3

  • 1Department of Pharmacy, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan.

Frontiers in Pharmacology
|March 26, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Sesquiterpene lactones show promise in cancer therapy by activating programmed cell death (apoptosis) pathways. This review explores their potential to target cancer hallmarks and enhance treatment efficacy.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is crucial in cancer development and therapy response.
  • Cancer hallmarks include uncontrolled growth, proliferation, and evasion of apoptosis.
  • Sesquiterpene lactones are plant-derived compounds with diverse biological activities, including anticancer potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways and their modulators.
  • To summarize the effects of sesquiterpene lactones on apoptosis pathways in various cancer models.
  • To highlight the therapeutic potential of sesquiterpene lactones in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of apoptosis pathways (intrinsic and extrinsic).
  • Analysis of studies on sesquiterpene lactones' effects on apoptosis modulators.
  • Examination of data from cancer cell lines and animal models.

Main Results:

  • Sesquiterpene lactones modulate key proteins in both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways.
  • These compounds demonstrate pro-apoptotic effects across various cancer types.
  • Evidence suggests sesquiterpene lactones can overcome apoptosis resistance in cancer cells.

Conclusions:

  • Sesquiterpene lactones represent a promising class of natural compounds for cancer therapy.
  • Targeting apoptosis pathways with sesquiterpene lactones offers a potential strategy against cancer hallmarks.
  • Further research into sesquiterpene lactones can guide future cancer therapeutic development.
Keywords:
apoptosiscancerevasionextrinsicintrinsicsesquiterpene lactones

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