Therapeutic Potential of Terpenoids in Cancer Treatment: Targeting Mitochondrial Pathways

Overview

Journal Cancer Rep (Hoboken)

Specialty Oncology

Date 2024 Sep 5

PMID 39234662

Authors

Jianxin Guo

Ming Huang

Shuang Hou

Jianfeng Yuan

Xiaoyue Chang

Shuang Gao

Zhenhan Zhang

Zhongbing Wu

Jing Li

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: In recent decades, natural compounds have been considered a significant source of new antitumor medicines due to their unique advantages. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have focused on the effect of terpenoids on apoptosis mediated by mitochondria in malignant cells.

Recent Findings: In this review article, we focused on six extensively studied terpenoids, including sesquiterpenes (dihydroartemisinin and parthenolide), diterpenes (oridonin and triptolide), and triterpenes (betulinic acid and oleanolic acid), and their efficacy in targeting mitochondria to induce cell death. Terpenoid-induced mitochondria-related cell death includes apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, autophagy, and necrosis caused by mitochondrial permeability transition. Apoptosis and autophagy interact in meaningful ways. In addition, in view of several disadvantages of terpenoids, such as low stability and bioavailability, advances in research on combination chemotherapy and chemical modification were surveyed.

Conclusion: This article deepens our understanding of the association between terpenoids and mitochondrial cell death, presenting a hypothetical basis for the use of terpenoids in anticancer management.

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