Honokiol for cancer therapeutics: A traditional medicine that can modulate multiple oncogenic targets

Publication date: Available online 17 April 2019Source: Pharmacological ResearchAuthor(s): Kishore Banik, Abhishek Manoj Ranaware, Vishwas Deshpande, Savita Pravin Nalawade, Ganesan Padmavathi, Devivasha Bordoloi, Bethsebie Lalduhsaki Sailo, Muthu K. Shanmugam, Lu Fan, Frank Arfuso, Gautam Sethi, Ajaikumar B. KunnumakkaraAbstractIn spite of billions of dollars expended on cancer research every year, the incidence rate and the mortality rate due to this widespread disease has increased drastically over the last few decades. Recent reports from the World Health Organization advocate that overall global cancer burden and deaths due to cancer are expected to double by the next decade. Synthetic drugs developed as chemotherapeutics have repeatedly shown adverse side effects and development of chemoresistance. Cancer is basically a multifactorial disease that necessitates the modulation of multiple targets and oncogenic signaling pathways. Honokiol (C18H18O2) is a biphenolic natural compound isolated from the leaves and barks of Magnolia plant species and has been extensively studied for its beneficial effects against several chronic diseases. Honokiol is capable of efficiently preventing the growth of wide variety of tumors such as those of brain, breast, cervical, colon, liver, lung, prostate, skin, and hematological malignancies. Recent work has shown that this phytochemical can modulate various molecular targets such as activation of pro-apoptotic factors, suppression of anti-a...
Source: Pharmacological Research - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research