Antileukemic Properties of Sesquiterpene Lactones: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This review summarizes the reported molecular mechanisms underlying the antileukemic property of Sesquiterpene Lactones (SLs). This systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO database and conducted following the PRISMA Statements. The MeSH terms, Sesquiterpenes, Lactones and Leukemia were used in four databases (Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus and Bireme). There were 281 studies selected, but after exclusions, due to replication (n = 172) or not following PECOS criteria (n = 24), 148 studies remained. Of the 148 articles, only 22 were submitted to quality assessment and were scored in high level if more than two techniques, to elucidate antileukemic properties, were described, and then data were extracted. The studies mostly used human leukemia cell lines including primary and established cells, with or without chemotherapy resistance. The SLs used were obtained principally from plants. The antileukemic properties of SLs were extracted from 22 high level studies. They included cell death induction, mainly by apoptosis, as well as cell differentiation, cell cycle disruption, leukemia cancer stem cell growth inhibition and NF-κB pathway inhibition; the latter is a promising therapeutic target for lymphoid malignancies. We concluded that, in spite of the necessity of better toxicological profile characterization of SLs, the antileukemic properties of these compounds support the proposal that the SLs are promising candidates for the treatment of leukemia.

Applications of Sesquiterpene Lactones: A Review of Some Potential Success Cases

“…Regarding anticancer activity, the effect of alantolactone (1) on leukemia is well documented and was recently reviewed by Da Silva Castro et al [43]. Xu et al [44] reported a positive and significant effect (1) on B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.…”

The Effects of Sesquiterpene Lactones on the Differentiation of Human or Animal Cells Cultured In-Vitro: A Critical Systematic Review

“…Two systematic reviews have investigated the effects of sesquiterpene lactones on cancer cells and skin cells ( da Silva Castro et al, 2018 ; da Silva et al, 2020 ); however, no systematic review has been conducted focusing on the effect of sesquiterpene lactones on cellular differentiation, to the best of our knowledge. Herein, we have conducted a systematic review on the differentiating/dedifferentiating effects of sesquiterpene lactones on various human or animal cells, evaluated in vitro .…”

Antiproliferative, Antimicrobial and Antiviral Activity of β-Aryl-δ-iodo-γ-lactones, Their Effect on Cellular Oxidative Stress Markers and Biological Membranes

“…Lactones are bioactive compounds that possess various interesting properties, e.g., antifeedant [9][10][11][12], antimicrobial [13][14][15][16][17], and cytostatic [18][19][20][21][22][23] properties. They found application in medicine, pharmacy, cosmetology, food, and agriculture.…”