Search JIM Advanced Search

Journal of Integrative Medicine ›› 2021, Vol. 19 ›› Issue (4): 311-316.doi: 10.1016/j.joim.2021.01.001

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

An overview on the chemistry, pharmacology and anticancer properties of tetrandrine and fangchinoline (alkaloids) from Stephania tetrandra roots

Eric Wei Chiang Chana, Siu Kuin Wongb, Hung Tuck Chanc   

  1. a. Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
    b. School of Foundation Studies, Xiamen University Malaysia, Selangor 43900, Malaysia
    c. Secretariat of the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME), Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0129, Japan
  • Online:2021-08-15 Published:2021-08-30
  • Contact: Eric Wei Chiang Chan chanwc@ucsiuniversity.edu.my E-mail:chanwc@ucsiuniversity.edu.my

Tetrandrine (TET) and fangchinoline (FAN) are dominant bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBIQ) alkaloids from the roots of Stephania tetrandra of the family Menispermaceae. BBIQ alkaloids comprise two benzylisoquinoline units linked by oxygen bridges. The molecular structures of TET and FAN are exactly the same, except that TET has a methoxy (?OCH3) group, while FAN has a hydroxyl (?OH) group at C7. In this overview, the current knowledge on the chemistry, pharmacology and anticancer properties of TET and FAN have been updated. The focus is on colon and breast cancer cells, because they are most susceptible to TET and FAN, respectively. Against colon cancer cells, TET inhibits cell proliferation and tumor growth by inducing apoptosis and G1 cell cycle arrest, and suppresses adhesion, migration and invasion of cells. Against breast cancer cells, FAN inhibits cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis, G1-phase cell cycle arrest and inhibits cell migration. The processes involve various molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways. Some insights on the ability of TET and FAN to reverse multi-drug resistance in cancer cells and suggestions for future research are provided. 

Key words: Tetrandrine, Fangchinoline, Alkaloids, Pharmacology, Anticancer, Multi-drug resistance

[1] Ruo-lan Li, Qing Zhang, Jia Liu, Li-ying He, Qin-wan Huang, Wei Peng, Chun-jie Wu. Processing methods and mechanisms for alkaloid-rich Chinese herbal medicines: A review. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(2): 89-103.
[2] Pukar Khanal, Basanagouda M. Patil. Integration of network and experimental pharmacology to decipher the antidiabetic action of Duranta repens L.. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(1): 66-77.
[3] Varuni Colamba Pathiranage, Ira Thabrew, Sameera R. Samarakoon, Kamani H. Tennekoon, Umapriyatharshini Rajagopalan, Meran K. Ediriweera. Evaluation of anticancer effects of a pharmaceutically viable extract of a traditional polyherbal mixture against non-small-cell lung cancer cells. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2020, 18(3): 242-252.
[4] Zi-jia Zhang, Wen-yong Wu, Jin-jun Hou, Lin-lin Zhang, Fei-fei Li, Lei Gao, Xing-dong Wu, Jing-ying Shi, Rong Zhang, Hua-li Long, Min Lei, Wan-ying Wu, De-an Guo, Kai-xian Chen, Lewis A. Hofmann, Zhonghua Ci. Active constituents and mechanisms of Respiratory Detox Shot, a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, for COVID-19 control and prevention: network-molecular docking-LC-MSE analysis. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2020, 18(3): 229-241.
[5] Chang-quan Ling. Traditional Chinese medicine is a resource for drug discovery against 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2020, 18(2): 87-88.
[6] Deng-hai Zhang, Kun-lun Wu, Xue Zhang, Sheng-qiong Deng, Bin Peng. In silico screening of Chinese herbal medicines with the potential to directly inhibit 2019 novel coronavirus. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2020, 18(2): 152-158.
[7] Kayode Ezekiel Adewole. Nigerian antimalarial plants and their anticancer potential: A review. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2020, 18(2): 92-113.
[8] Neeraj K. Sethiya, Nasir M. Ahmed, Raeesh M. Shekh, Vivek Kumar, Pawan Kumar Singh, Vipin Kumar. Ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological updates on Hygrophila auriculata (Schum.) Hiene: An overview. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2018, 16(5): 299-311.
[9] Zahra Majidi, S.N. Sadati Lamardi. Phytochemistry and biological activities of Heracleum persicum: A review. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2018, 16(4): 223-235.
[10] Nisha Panth, Keshav Raj Paudel, Rajendra Karki. Phytochemical profile and biological activity of Juglans regia. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2016, 14(5): 359-373.
[11] Jesmin Mondal, Asmita Samadder, Anisur Rahman Khuda-Bukhsh. Psorinum 6× triggers apoptosis signals in human lung cancer cells. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2016, 14(2): 143-153.
[12] Jason Yamaki, Kalyan C. Nagulapalli Venkata, Animesh Mandal, Piyali Bhattacharyya, Anupam Bishayee. Health-promoting and disease-preventive potential of Trianthema portulacastrum Linn. (Gadabani)—An Indian medicinal and dietary plant. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2016, 14(2): 84-99.
[13] Wei Chiang Chan Eric, Kuin Wong Siu. Phytochemistry and pharmacology of ornamental gingers, Hedychium coronarium and Alpinia purpurata: A review. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2015, 13(6): 368-379.
[14] Bing He, Ge Zhang, Ai-ping Lu. Integrative network analysis: Bridging the gap between Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2015, 13(3): 133-135.
[15] Pawan Kaushik, Dhirender Kaushik, Sukhbir Lal Khokra. Ethnobotany and phytopharmacology of Pinus roxburghii Sargent: A plant review. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2013, 11(6): 371-376.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited

  Shared   
  Discussed   
[1] Dong Yang, Yong-ping Du, Qing Shen, Wei Chen, Yan Yu, Guang-lei Chen. Expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin in renal tubulointerstitium in patients with kidney collateral stasis. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 41-44
[2] Hai-feng Wei, Bai-liu Ya, Ling Zhao, Cui-fei Ye, Li Zhang, Lin Li. Evaluation of tongue manifestation of blood stasis syndrome and its relationship with blood rheological disorder in a rat model of transient brain ischemia. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 73-76
[3] Xi Lin, Jian-ping Liu. Herbal medicines for viral myocarditis. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 76
[4] Xi Lin, Jian-ping Liu. Tai chi for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 82
[5] Liang-ping Hu, Hui Gao. Discrimination of errors in statistical analysis of medical papers published in the first issue of 2006 in Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 98-106
[6] Yan-bo Zhu , Qi Wang, Cheng-yu Wu, Guo-ming Pang, Jian-xiong Zhao, Shi-lin Shen, Zhong-yuan Xia , Xue Yan . Logistic regression analysis on relationships between traditional Chinese medicine constitutional types and overweight or obesity. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1023-1035
[7] Wei Xu, Meng Shi, Jian-gang Liu, Cheng-long Wang . Collagen protein expressions in ischemic myocardium of rats with acute myocardial infarction and effects of qi-tonifying, yin-tonifying and blood-activating herbs and detoxifying and blood-activating herbs. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1041-1047
[8] Tao Wang , Feng Qin. Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Xiaoyao Powder on monoamine neurotransmitters in hippocampus of rats with postpartum depression. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1075-1079
[9] Ying Xu , Chang-chun Zeng , Xiu-yu Cai , Rong-ping Guo , Guang Nie , Ying Jin. Chromaticity and optical spectrum colorimetry of the tongue color in different syndromes of primary hepatic carcinoma. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(11): 1263-1271
[10] Xiang-ying Mao , Qin Bian , Zi-yin Shen. Analysis of the osteogenetic effects exerted on mesenchymal stem cell strain C3H10T1/2 by icariin via MAPK signaling pathway in vitro. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(11): 1272-1278