Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, 34956, Istanbul, Turkey.
Phytother Res. 2021 Jan;35(1):155-179. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6815. Epub 2020 Aug 10.
In respect to the enhanced incidence rate of cancer worldwide, studies have focused on cancer therapy using novel strategies. Chemotherapy is a common strategy in cancer therapy, but its adverse effects and chemoresistance have limited its efficacy. So, attempts have been directed towards minimally invasive cancer therapy using plant derived-natural compounds. Cryptotanshinone (CT) is a component of salvia miltiorrihiza Bunge, well-known as Danshen and has a variety of therapeutic and biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and neuroprotective. Recently, studies have focused on anti-tumor activity of CT against different cancers. Notably, this herbal compound is efficient in cancer therapy by targeting various molecular signaling pathways. In the present review, we mechanistically describe the anti-tumor activity of CT with an emphasis on molecular signaling pathways. Then, we evaluate the potential of CT in cancer immunotherapy and enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy by sensitizing cancer cells into anti-tumor activity of chemotherapeutic agents, and elevating accumulation of anti-tumor drugs in cancer cells. Finally, we mention strategies to enhance the anti-tumor activity of CT, for instance, using nanoparticles to provide targeted drug delivery.
鉴于全球癌症发病率的上升，研究集中在使用新策略的癌症治疗上。化疗是癌症治疗的常用策略，但它的副作用和化疗耐药性限制了它的疗效。因此，人们尝试使用植物衍生的天然化合物进行微创癌症治疗。隐丹参酮（CT）是丹参的一种成分，具有多种治疗和生物活性，如抗氧化、抗炎、抗糖尿病和神经保护。最近，研究集中在 CT 对不同癌症的抗肿瘤活性上。值得注意的是，这种草药化合物通过靶向各种分子信号通路，在癌症治疗中非常有效。在本综述中，我们从机制上描述了 CT 的抗肿瘤活性，重点介绍了分子信号通路。然后，我们评估了 CT 在癌症免疫治疗中的潜力，并通过使癌细胞对化疗药物的抗肿瘤活性敏感，以及提高抗肿瘤药物在癌细胞中的积累，来提高化疗的疗效。最后，我们提到了增强 CT 抗肿瘤活性的策略，例如使用纳米粒子进行靶向药物递送。
