Abstract
Natural products have played a significant role in drug discovery and development especially for agents against cancer and infectious disease. An analysis of new and approved drugs for cancer by the United States Food and Drug Administration over the period of 1981-2002 showed that 62% of these cancer drugs were of natural origin. Natural compounds possess highly diverse and complex molecular structures compared to small molecule synthetic drugs and often provide highly specific biological activities likely derived from the rigidity and high number of chiral centers. Ethnotraditional use of plant-derived natural products has been a major source for discovery of potential medicinal agents. A number of native Andean and Amazonian medicines of plant origin are used as traditional medicine in Peru to treat different diseases. Of particular interest in this mini-review are three plant materials endemic to Peru with the common names of Cats claw (Uncaria tomentosa), Maca (Lepidium meyenii), and Dragons blood (Croton lechleri) each having been scientifically investigated for a wide range of therapeutic uses including as specific anti-cancer agents as originally discovered from the long history of traditional usage and anecdotal information by local population groups in South America. Against this background, we present an evidence-based analysis of the chemistry, biological properties, and anti-tumor activities for these three plant materials. In addition, this review will discuss areas requiring future study and the inherent limitations in their experimental use as anti-cancer agents.
Keywords: Peruvian Medicinal Plants, Lepidium meyenii, Uncaria tomentosa, Croton lechleri, anti-tumor, Cance
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Medicinal Plants from Peru: A Review of Plants as Potential Agents Against Cancer
Volume: 6 Issue: 5
Author(s): Gustavo F. Gonzales and Luis G. Valerio
Affiliation:
Keywords: Peruvian Medicinal Plants, Lepidium meyenii, Uncaria tomentosa, Croton lechleri, anti-tumor, Cance
Abstract: Natural products have played a significant role in drug discovery and development especially for agents against cancer and infectious disease. An analysis of new and approved drugs for cancer by the United States Food and Drug Administration over the period of 1981-2002 showed that 62% of these cancer drugs were of natural origin. Natural compounds possess highly diverse and complex molecular structures compared to small molecule synthetic drugs and often provide highly specific biological activities likely derived from the rigidity and high number of chiral centers. Ethnotraditional use of plant-derived natural products has been a major source for discovery of potential medicinal agents. A number of native Andean and Amazonian medicines of plant origin are used as traditional medicine in Peru to treat different diseases. Of particular interest in this mini-review are three plant materials endemic to Peru with the common names of Cats claw (Uncaria tomentosa), Maca (Lepidium meyenii), and Dragons blood (Croton lechleri) each having been scientifically investigated for a wide range of therapeutic uses including as specific anti-cancer agents as originally discovered from the long history of traditional usage and anecdotal information by local population groups in South America. Against this background, we present an evidence-based analysis of the chemistry, biological properties, and anti-tumor activities for these three plant materials. In addition, this review will discuss areas requiring future study and the inherent limitations in their experimental use as anti-cancer agents.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Gonzales F. Gustavo and Valerio G. Luis, Medicinal Plants from Peru: A Review of Plants as Potential Agents Against Cancer, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2006; 6 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152006778226486
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152006778226486 |
Print ISSN 1871-5206 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5992 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Induction of cell death in cancer cells by modulating telomerase activity using small molecule drugs
Telomeres are distinctive but short stretches present at the corners of chromosomes and aid in stabilizing chromosomal makeup. Resynthesis of telomeres supported by the activity of reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein complex telomerase. There is no any telomerase activity in human somatic cells, but the stem cells and germ cells undergone telomerase ...read more
Role of natural compounds as anti anti-cancer agents
Cancer is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy remains an important approach in treatment o f several types of cancers, even though ...read more
Signaling and enzymatic modulators in cancer treatment
Cancer accounts for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022 and is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the most important approach for the treatment of several ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Cryopreservation of Ovarian Tissue: State of the Art in 2007
Current Women`s Health Reviews NBN Polymorphysms and Cancer Susceptibility: A Systematic Review
Current Genomics Epigenetic Alterations of the Wnt/β -Catenin Pathway in Human Disease
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Spermine Metabolism and Anticancer Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets Intracellular ROS Generation Mediates Maleimide-induced Cytotoxicity in Leukemia Cells
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Epidemiology of Candida albicans Infections and Role of Non-Candidaalbicans Yeasts
Current Drug Targets Pharmacokinetic Properties of Rituximab
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Aldehyde Dehydrogenase as a Marker for Stem Cells
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Inhibition of Sphingomyelin Hydrolysis: Targeting the Lipid Mediator Ceramide as a Key Regulator of Cellular Fate
Current Medicinal Chemistry Distribution, Bioactivities and Therapeutical Potentials of Pentagalloylglucopyranose
Current Bioactive Compounds A Virtual Screening Approach for the Identification of High Affinity Small Molecules Targeting BCR-ABL1 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Structure-Based Drug Design to Overcome Drug Resistance: Challenges and Opportunities
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cordycepin Suppresses Integrin/FAK Signaling and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Molecules of Parasites as Immunomodulatory Drugs
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Presenilin and γ -Secretase Activity: A Viable Therapeutic Target for Alzheimers Disease?
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Synthesis and Antiproliferative Evaluation of Spirothiadiazolopyridazine Derivatives
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Anti-Inflammatory Agents from Plants: Progress and Potential
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Role of Quercetin, Flavonols and Flavones in Modulating Inflammatory Cell Function
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Therapeutic Potential of Endophytic Compounds: A Special Reference to Drug Transporter Inhibitors
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Application of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Melanoma: A Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Delivery of Targeted Agents
Current Medicinal Chemistry