Advances in Naturally and Synthetically Derived Bioactive Sesquiterpenes and Their Derivatives: Applications in
Liana R Cutter1, Alexandra R Ren1, Ipsita A Banerjee1
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Fordham University, 441 East Fordham Road, Bronx, New York, NY 10458, USA.
Abstract:
Sesquiterpenes are a diverse class of natural products that have garnered considerable interest for their potent bioactivity and structural variability. This review highlights advances in the derivatization of various sesquiterpene lactones, quinones, and alcohols, particularly in targeting cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The structural modifications discussed include the incorporation of triazole, arylidene, or thiol moieties with eudesmane, guaiane, and germacranolide-type sesquiterpenes, among others. In addition, the conjugation with chemotherapeutics, as well as the development of nanoscale therapeutics, is also discussed. Such modifications have expanded the pharmacological potential, enabling improved specificity, cytotoxicity profiles, and sensitization toward tumor cells. Additionally, sesquiterpenes such as parthenolide (20), pterosinsade A (176), and cedrol (186) have demonstrated potential in mitigating neurodegeneration via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant signaling pathway-modulation mechanisms, with potential applications in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS diseases. Mechanistic insights into redox signaling modulation, NF-κB inhibition, ROS regulation, and disruption of aggregation underscore their multifaceted modes of action. This review highlights the translational promise of sesquiterpene derivatives as dual-action agents for potential drug development in a plethora of diseases that are caused by inflammation and free-radical damage. It provides a framework for future rational design of multifunctional drug candidates and therapeutics.
More Related Videos
07:59A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
Published on: October 4, 2019
19:44Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen
Published on: May 30, 2012
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:30siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
01:28Structure-Activity Relationships and Drug Design
SAR studies the intricate relationship between a drug's chemical structure and biological activity. It focuses on understanding how modifications to a drug's structure can influence...
02:18Cancer
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
01:15Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules