Therapeutic Role of Alkaloids and Alkaloid Derivatives in Cancer Management

Abstract

Cancer is a neoplastic disease that remains a global challenge with a reported prevalence that is increasing annually. Though existing drugs can be applied as single or combined therapies for managing this pathology, their concomitant adverse effects in human applications have led to the need to continually screen natural products for effective and alternative anticancer bioactive principles. Alkaloids are chemical molecules that, due to their structural diversity, constitute a reserve for the discovery of lead compounds with interesting pharmacological activities. Several in vitro studies and a few in vivo findings have documented various cytotoxic and antiproliferative properties of alkaloids. This review describes chaetocochin J, neopapillarine, coclaurine, reflexin A, 3,10-dibromofascaplysin and neferine, which belong to different alkaloid classes with antineoplastic properties and have been identified recently from plants. Despite their low solubility and bioavailability, plant-derived alkaloids have viable prospects as sources of viable lead antitumor agents. This potential can be achieved if more research on these chemical compounds is directed toward investigating ways of improving their delivery in an active form close to target cells, preferably with no effect on neighboring normal tissues.

Natural Products Derived from Marine Sponges with Antitumor Potential against Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review

“…Most of these antitumor compounds have been isolated from plants, and some of them, such as coclaurine and reflexin A, among others, have shown interesting antitumor effects. However, a major disadvantage of these compounds is their low solubility and bioavailability, which makes their administration as free molecules complicated [ 28 ].…”

Melinjo Seeds (Gnetum gnemon L.) Antioxidant Activity and Cytotoxic Effects on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells: A Study Based on Tracing of Resveratrol Compound

“…[ 10 ] This indicates that ethyl acetate as a semipolar solvent dissolves more semipolar active substances (e.g., flavonoids, triterpenoids, and alkaloids), which are proven to have anticancer effects. [ 24 25 26 ]…”

Aptamers for the Delivery of Plant-Based Compounds: A Review

“…These compounds exhibit a broad spectrum of bioactive properties, demonstrating their potential therapeutic applications. They include anti-inflammatory [ 13 ], antidiabetic [ 14 ], antiproliferative [ 2 , 15 ], anticancer [ 5 , 15 , 16 ], antimicrobial [ 17 , 18 ], antiprotozoal [ 19 ], antioxidant [ 20 ], antihyperlipidemic [ 2 ], antiasthmatic, and anti-obesity effects [ 21 ]. Additionally, they have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, acting as anti-arrhythmic and antihypertensive agents [ 22 ], as well as providing cardioprotective benefits [ 23 ].…”

“…Alkaloids are secondary metabolites produced mainly as a defense against pathogens, insects, and animals, and they are found in seeds, roots, stems, and leaves of higher plants [ 15 ]. There are about 600 bioactive alkaloids [ 26 ] with anticarcinogen [ 28 ], antifungal [ 29 ], analgesic [ 30 ], antimalarial [ 31 ], anti-inflammatory [ 32 ], and antidiabetic potentials [ 33 ].…”

“…There are about 600 bioactive alkaloids [ 26 ] with anticarcinogen [ 28 ], antifungal [ 29 ], analgesic [ 30 ], antimalarial [ 31 ], anti-inflammatory [ 32 ], and antidiabetic potentials [ 33 ]. Alkaloids have a wide range of clinical applications, namely as anticancer (vincristine, berberine, camptothecin, vinblastine), antimalarial (quinine), and analgesic (morphine) agents [ 2 , 15 ], among others.…”