Cucurbitacins: Bioactivities and synergistic effect with small-molecule drugs. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jing, Siyuan; Zou, Haoyang; Wu, Zidan; Ren, Li; Zhang, Tiehua; Zhang, Jie; Wei, Zhengyi
• Is Part Of: Journal of functional foods. Volume 72(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Cucurbitacins -- Biological activities -- Synergistic effect -- Adjunct drugs; Functional foods -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2020.104042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-4646

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: The bioactivities and synergistic effect of cucurbitacins combined with small-molecule drugs are reviewed. Cucurbitacins exert inhibitory effect on cancer cells, reduce cell resistance, and improve treatment efficacy. Further research of cucurbitacins and the synergistic effect thereof with small molecule drugs are discussed. Abstract: Cucurbitacins, widely found in plants belonging to the family of Cucurbitaceae, are highly oxidized tetracyclic triterpenes with various bioactivities, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and liver protection. Among which, the anticancer activity of cucurbitacins is well studied. Cucurbitacins have been reported to promote apoptosis through the JAK/STAT3 pathway and the MAPK pathway. Cucurbitacins can block the cell cycle by inhibiting cyclins. They also accelerate autophagy and inhibit the invasion and migration of cancer cells. Numerous studies have demonstrated that cucurbitacins exhibit a synergistic effect in the combination with small-molecule drugs. This paper reviews the bioactivities of cucurbitacins, preferably anticancer activity. Herein, the synergistic effect of the combination of cucurbitacins and small-molecule drugs has also been summarized with the aim to promote the probability of the use of cucurbitacins as adjunct drugs in clinical treatment.