Written by Chrystal Moulton, Staff Writer. Researchers are looking to natural compounds to reduce cancer.

Researchers are constantly looking for solutions to combat the most apparent chronic disease in the US—cancer. Recently, science has been leaning more toward discovering natural compounds to enhance programmed cell-death specifically for tumor cells. Much research is underway but the findings, which were mainly observed through cell studies, are very promising. In the current review, researchers outlined 12 natural compounds found in various plants that have demonstrated effectiveness in arresting the growth and spread of cancerous cells. (1)

As most people know, cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. In a normal functioning cell, the life cycle begins with the splitting of a single cell into two identical daughter cells that grow and stabilize. Overtime, the two daughter cells may undergo cell division or cell death. The process of cell division and cell death is very tightly controlled by the body. Too much of either process can lead to serious health problems. In cancer sufferers, the switch that controls cell death is turned off, while the switch that induces cell division is constantly being flipped on. The result is pre-mature cell division creating immature and non-functional or defective cells with no way to stop it. Because there are various ways to induce both cell division and cell death, the focus is on key proteins that play very important roles in either process. Conventional procedures that treat cancer directly and indirectly target certain reactions in cancerous cells or, in the case of radiation, directly kill the tumor cells. However, in the current research article, scientists were able to identify 12 potentially effective compounds and the various ways in which the specific compounds stopped tumor growth. The twelve natural compounds found to exhibit anti-cancer effects are listed in Table 1.

CompoundNatural Source**Type of CompoundType of Cancer‡
WedelolactoneEclipta alba, Wedelia calandulaceae, Wedelia chinensis, Eclipta prostrataPolyphenolBreast prostate, neuroblastoma, pancreatic , mammary carcinosarcoma, myeloma, leukemia, adenoma, glioma
EvodiamineEvodia rutaecarpaAlkaloidMurine Lewis lung, hepatocellular, leukemia, gastric, pancreatic, colon, thyroid cancer, cervical cancer, prostate, breast
CasticinCamellia sinensis, Artemisia abrotanum, Crataegus pinnatifida, Vitex trifolia, V. agnus castus, V. negundoFlavonoidCervical, pancreatic, colon, breast, lung, gastric, ovarian, liver, colorectal, leukemia
HonokiolMagnolia officinalis, Magnolia grandiflora, Magnolia spp.FlavonoidMelanoma, gastric leukemia, skin, colon, breast, ovarian, pancreatic, hepatocellular, colorectal, lung, prostate, glioblastoma
JaceosidinArnica montana, Arnica chamissonis, Eriodictyon californicum, Artemisia princeps, Artemisia vestita, Nipponanthemum nipponicumFlavonoidEndometrial, ovarian, glioblastoma, breast, epithelial, cervical
MagnololMagnolia officinalis, Magnolia obovataFlavonoidGlioblastoma, bladder, breast, colon, gastric, skin, ovarian, lung, prostate, melanoma, liver, cervical, epithelial cancer, leukemia, fibrosarcoma, neuroblastoma, thyroid cancer
OridoninIsodon rubescensDiterpenoidsBreast, leukemia, prostate, hepatoma, lung, cervical, neuroblastoma, laryngeal, gastric, murine fibrosarcoma, melanoma, osteosarcoma
Pseudolaric Acid BPseudolarix kaempferiDiterpenoidsProstate, glioblastoma, umbilical vein endothelial, bladder, colon lung, breast, ovarian, leukemia, gastric, liver, melanoma
AlantolactoneInula helenium L, Inula, japonica, Auckandia lappa, Radix inulae, Inula racemosaSesquiterpenesProstate, glioblastoma, colon, leukemia, liver, lung
CostunolideInula helenium, Saussurea lappa, Magnolia grandifloraSesquiterpenesLiver, ovarian, breast, bladder, melanoma, leukemia, prostate, gastric, colorectal, human monocyte
IsoalantolactoneInula henlenium, L. Inula japonica, Aucklandia lappa, Radix inulae, Inula racemosaSesquiterpenesProstate, pancreatic, leukemia, gastric cancers
ParthenolideArtemisia ludoviciana, Achillea falcate, Calea zacatechichi, Centaurea ainetensis, Helianthus annuus, Magnolia kobus, Magnolia virginianaSesquiterpenesBreast, skin, glioma, liver, gastric, lung, bladder, prostate, pancreatic, myeloma, bile duct carcinomas, colorectal, osteosarcoma, leukemia, lymphoma

The cellular pathways most discussed in this review are those that influence programmed cell death or apoptosis. As stated before, the body keeps a tight reign on signals the induce cell death. However, various pathways are put in place in the cell that ensures the death of cells that are defective in any way. These pathways involve different kinds of proteins such as growth factors (which induce both cell development and death), tumor suppressor p53 (which controls cell cycle, DNA repair, and cell death), and transcriptional factors* such as nuclear factor-kappa B [NF-kB] (which aids in transferring genetic information into proteins). Other pathways are induced by mitochondria which operate as the battery of a cell. (1)

Research on the compounds in Table 1 has shown promising results for various cancers. Even though, many of the tests were done in cell studies, they serve to identify viable molecular targets in the treatment of the specific tumors listed. Among the 12 compounds, parthenolide has recently been tested clinically in cancer patients with positive results. (2, 3) Findings like this promote further investigation into more natural alternatives for the treatment and prevention of cancers.

Researchers note, however, that low potency and poor bioavailability of natural compounds remains a problem in utilizing their potential benefits. Nonetheless, by clearly describing the various pathways in which each compound has effectively stopped a particular form cancer, researchers hope that more studies would be done to encourage the use of natural compounds with conventional treatments (if necessary) for treatment and prevention of cancer all together.

*transcriptional factors are proteins utilized by the body to convert DNA into RNA for building proteins

Source: Millimouno, Faya M., et al. “Targeting apoptosis pathways in cancer and perspectives with natural compounds from mother nature.” Cancer prevention research (2014).

© 2014 American Association for Cancer Research

Posted January 19, 2015.

Chrystal Moulton BA, PMP, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on premedical studies and is a licensed project manager. She currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.

References:

  1. Targeting apoptosis pathways in cancer and perspectives with natural compounds from mother nature. Millimouno FM, et al. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2014 Nov;7(11):1081-107.
  2. Pharmacologic inhibitors of IkappaB kinase suppress growth and migration of mammary carcinosarcoma cells in vitro and prevent osteolytic bone metastasis in vivo . Idris AI, et al. Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8:2339–47.
  3. Novel mTOR inhibitory activity of ciclopirox enhances parthenolide antileukemia activity. Sen S, et al. Exp Hematol 2013;41:799–807.