Related Experiment Videos

Acetogenins from Annona coriacea Target TNFR1-Mediated Cell Death in Head and Neck Cancer

Gilvânia Aparecida Rabelo Cordeiro1, Ana Gabriela Silva Oliveira1,2, João Gabriel Morais Junqueira3

  • 1Universidade Federal de Sao Joao Del-Rei - Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais 35501-296, Brazil.

ACS Omega
|August 21, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Acetogenins from Annona coriacea show selective antitumor effects against head and neck cancer (HNC) cells. These natural compounds induce cell death and inhibit tumor growth, offering a promising new avenue for HNC treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Natural Products Chemistry
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Head and neck cancer (HNC) presents significant therapeutic challenges due to its heterogeneity and resistance to current treatments.
  • There is a critical need for novel, less toxic therapeutic strategies for HNC.
  • Annona coriacea, a plant from the Brazilian Cerrado, is a known source of bioactive acetogenins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the antitumor potential of acetogenin-enriched fractions from Annona coriacea against head and neck cancer.
  • To investigate the mechanisms of action, including cell death pathways and anti-angiogenic effects.
  • To assess the safety and efficacy of these fractions in preclinical models.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro cytotoxicity assays using HNC cell lines (FaDu, HN13) and non-tumor cells.
  • Mechanistic studies involving apoptosis and necroptosis pathway analysis.
  • Molecular docking simulations to predict interactions with TNFR1.
  • In vivo studies using the CAM model to assess tumor growth and angiogenesis.
  • HET-CAM assay to evaluate vascular irritation.

Main Results:

  • Annona coriacea fractions demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity against HNC cells with low toxicity to normal cells.
  • Cell death mechanisms involved mitochondrial-associated apoptosis-like and necroptosis pathways.
  • Molecular docking suggested acetogenins may interact with tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1).
  • The ACL3 fraction reduced tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo without causing vascular irritation.

Conclusions:

  • Acetogenin-rich fractions from Annona coriacea possess selective antitumor properties against HNC.
  • These fractions induce programmed cell death and inhibit tumor angiogenesis.
  • Annona coriacea acetogenins represent promising candidates for further preclinical development in head and neck cancer therapy.

Related Concept Videos

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
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 specific...
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 specific...
Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity01:25

Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity

Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity refer to the ability of drugs to cause genetic defects and induce cancer, respectively. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies agents into four groups based on their carcinogenic potential. Group 1 agents are known human carcinogens; group 2A agents are probably carcinogenic to humans; group 3 agents lack data to support their role in carcinogenesis; and group 4 includes agents for which data support that they are not likely to be...