Molecular targets and anti-cancer potential of escin. (28th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cheong, Dorothy H.J.; Arfuso, Frank; Sethi, Gautam; Wang, Lingzhi; Hui, Kam Man; Kumar, Alan Prem; Tran, Thai
• Is Part Of: Cancer letters. Volume 422(2018)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2018-05-28
• Subjects: Cancer -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.02.027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0304-3835

Abstract

Abstract: Escin is a mixture of triterpenoid saponins extracted from the horse chestnut tree, Aesculus hippocastanum . Its potent anti-inflammatory and anti-odematous properties makes it a choice of therapy against chronic venous insufficiency and odema. More recently, escin is being actively investigated for its potential activity against diverse cancers. It exhibits anti-cancer effects in many cancer cell models including lung adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and leukemia. Escin also attenuates tumor growth and metastases in various in vivo models. Importantly, escin augments the effects of existing chemotherapeutic drugs, thereby supporting the role of escin as an adjunct or alternative anti-cancer therapy. The beneficial effects of escin can be attributed to its inhibition of proliferation and induction of cell cycle arrest. By regulating transcription factors/growth factors mediated oncogenic pathways, escin also potentially mitigates chronic inflammatory processes that are linked to cancer survival and resistance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge of escin and its potential as an anti-cancer therapy through its anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Highlights: Escin exerts its anti-neoplastic effects against a variety of malignancies. Escin can modulate the activation of diverse oncogenic proteins/transcription factors in tumor cells. Escin can attenuate tumor growth, metastasis and exhibit chemosensitzing effects in various preclinical models of cancer.