Lupane-type triterpenes and their anti-cancer activities against most common malignant tumors: A review

Authors

  • MH Cháirez-Ramírez Instituto Tecnológico de Durango, Departamento de Ingenierías Química y Bioquímica, Blvd. Felipe Pescador 1830 Ote., Col Nueva Vizcaya, 34080 Durango, Dgo., México
  • MR Moreno-Jiménez Instituto Tecnológico de Durango, Departamento de Ingenierías Química y Bioquímica, Blvd. Felipe Pescador 1830 Ote., Col Nueva Vizcaya, 34080 Durango, Dgo., México
  • RF González-Laredo Instituto Tecnológico de Durango, Departamento de Ingenierías Química y Bioquímica, Blvd. Felipe Pescador 1830 Ote., Col Nueva Vizcaya, 34080 Durango, Dgo., México
  • JA Gallegos-Infante Instituto Tecnológico de Durango, Departamento de Ingenierías Química y Bioquímica, Blvd. Felipe Pescador 1830 Ote., Col Nueva Vizcaya, 34080 Durango, Dgo., México
  • Nuria Elizabeth Rocha-Guzmán Instituto Tecnológico de Durango, Departamento de Ingenierías Química y Bioquímica, Blvd. Felipe Pescador 1830 Ote., Col Nueva Vizcaya, 34080 Durango, Dgo., México

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2016-642

Keywords:

lupeol, betulin, betulinic acid, cancer, signaling pathway

Abstract

In recent times, a great deal of interest has been motivated on plant derived compounds known as nutraceuticals. These compounds exert important beneficial activities that improve people's health status when are consumed regularly, and now they appear as a viable option to explore their possible therapeutic effects against diseases like cancer. Particularly, lupane-type triterpenes have shown great ability to modulate multiple cancer-related signaling pathways and processes, including NF-κB, Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/Akt, apoptosis, and many other routes related to proliferation or cell death, which are uncontrolled in malignant tumors. These investigations have promoted in vitro and in vivo studies, searching their mechanisms of action; although more research is still needed to prove its potential in human clinical trials. This review focuses on the ability of betulin, betulinic acid and lupeol to show benefits against the most common types of malignant tumors, which are considered a major global threat for public health.

Published

2016-11-30

How to Cite

Cháirez-Ramírez, M., Moreno-Jiménez, M., González-Laredo, R., Gallegos-Infante, J., & Rocha-Guzmán, N. E. (2016). Lupane-type triterpenes and their anti-cancer activities against most common malignant tumors: A review. EXCLI Journal, 15, 758–771. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2016-642

Issue

Section

Review articles

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