Alvaradoin E: an update of its anticancer potential and mechanisms of action

• Published in: Minerva Biotechnology and Biomolecular Research Vol. 35; no. 4; p. 211
• Main Authors: KITIC, Dusanka, MILADINOVIC, Bojana, RANDJELOVIC, Milica, FAGOONEE, Sharmila, POPA, Dragos, CALINA, Daniela, SHARIFI-RAD, Javad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Torino Edizioni Minerva Medica 01.12.2023
• Subjects: Alvaradoa; Anthracenone; Antitumor activity; Antitumor agents; Apoptosis; Cancer; Chemotherapy; Cytotoxicity; Drug resistance; Glycosides; Lung carcinoma; Promyeloid leukemia; Prostate carcinoma; RNA-directed DNA polymerase; Secondary metabolites; Telomerase reverse transcriptase
• ISSN: 2724-542X; 1120-4826; 2724-5934; 1827-160X
• DOI: 10.23736/S2724-542X.23.03035-3

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Serious side effects, drug resistance and a narrow therapeutic window of chemotherapy drugs have led to the exploration and discovery of new natural anticancer agents. Alvaradoins are the secondary metabolites of the Alvaradoa Liebm. plant species, from the Picramniaceae family, belonging to the class of anthracenone C-glycosides. Among them, alvaradoin E, isolated from A. haitiensis Urb., is characterized by the most powerful anticancer properties as demonstrated by in-vitro and in-vivo assays. This updated review aims to provide new insights into the anticancer efficacy of alvaradoin E and analyses molecular pharmacological evidence to contribute to researchers' efforts to discover new adjunctive therapies in the pharmacotherapeutic management of cancer. To achieve this goal, relevant recent data on the anticancer pharmacological mechanisms of alvaradoin E were searched in specialized databases such as PubMed/MedLine, Scopus, TRIP database, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Most of the studies investigated the cytotoxic effects of alvaradoins and the extracts of the Alvaradoa species. Alvaradoin E excelled in its tumor-modulating activity in vitro in several human carcinomas (epidermoid, prostate, colon, lung), promyelocytic leukemia, and cells expressing telomerase reverse transcriptase. The cytotoxic effects of alvaradoin E were associated with its capacity to induce cell apoptosis. Further detailed studies are necessary to explain the precise mechanisms of actions, the effects on living organisms and possible adverse effects. Although data on its anticancer activity in vivo are scarce, Alvaradoin E can develop into a promising agent in fighting carcinoma.