New Therapeutic Aspects of Steroidal Cardiac Glycosides: the Anticancer Properties of Huachansu and Its Main Active Constituent Bufalin

Overview

Journal Cancer Cell Int

Publisher Biomed Central

Date 2019 Apr 24

PMID 31011289

Citations 40

Authors

Chien-Shan Cheng

Jiaqiang Wang

Jie Chen

Kuei Ting Kuo

Jian Tang

Huifeng Gao

Lianyu Chen

Zhen Chen

Zhiqiang Meng

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Aim Of The Review: In the past decade, increasing research attention investigated the novel therapeutic potential of steroidal cardiac glycosides in cancer treatment. Huachansu and its main active constituent Bufalin have been studied in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies. This review aims to summarize the multi-target and multi-pathway pharmacological effects of Bufalin and Huachansu in the last decade, with the aim of providing a more comprehensive view and highlighting the recently discovered molecular mechanisms.

Results: Huachansu and its major derivative, Bufalin, had been found to possess anti-cancer effects in a variety of cancer cell lines both in vitro and in vivo. The underlying anti-cancer molecular mechanisms mainly involved anti-proliferation, apoptosis induction, anti-metastasis, anti-angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition inhibition, anti-inflammation, Na/K-ATPase activity targeting, the steroid receptor coactivator family inhibitions, etc. Moreover, the potential side-effects and toxicities of the toad extract, Huachansu, and Bufalin, including hematological, gastrointestinal, mucocutaneous and cardiovascular adverse reactions, were reported in animal studies and clinic trails.

Conclusions: Further research is needed to elucidate the potential drug-drug interactions and multi-target interaction of Bufalin and Huachansu. Large-scale clinical trials are warranted to translate the knowledge of the anticancer actions of Bufalin and Huachansu into clinical applications as effective and safe treatment options for cancer patients in the future.

Citing Articles

Material basis revelation of anti-hepatoma effect of Huachansu (Cinobufacini) through down-regulation of thymidylate synthase.

Wu Q, Chen Q, Yang J, Zhang J, Yang A Chin Herb Med. 2025; 17(1):127-138.

PMID: 39949800 PMC: 11814253. DOI: 10.1016/j.chmed.2024.04.002.

Incredible use of plant-derived bioactives as anticancer agents.

Kangra K, Kakkar S, Mittal V, Kumar V, Aggarwal N, Chopra H RSC Adv. 2025; 15(3):1721-1746.

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Bufalin Ameliorates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Suppressing Macrophage Pyroptosis via P62 Pathway.

Li C, Ma Z, Wei X, Wang Y, Wu J, Li X J Cardiovasc Transl Res. 2024; .

PMID: 39733202 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-024-10577-9.

Combinational Antitumor Strategies Based on the Active Ingredients of Toad Skin and Toad Venom.

Tian H, Zhao F, Yue B, Zhai B Drug Des Devel Ther. 2024; 18:3549-3594.

PMID: 39139676 PMC: 11321342. DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S469832.

Bufalin Suppresses Head and Neck Cancer Development by Modulating Immune Responses and Targeting the β-Catenin Signaling Pathway.

Mhaidly N, Barake N, Trelcat A, Journe F, Saussez S, Descamps G Cancers (Basel). 2024; 16(15).

PMID: 39123466 PMC: 11311268. DOI: 10.3390/cancers16152739.

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