Published online Jan 15, 2016. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v8.i1.30
Peer-review started: June 15, 2015
First decision: August 25, 2015
Revised: October 9, 2015
Accepted: November 3, 2015
Article in press: November 4, 2015
Published online: January 15, 2016
Processing time: 215 Days and 22.7 Hours
Historically, natural products have represented a significant source of anticancer agents, with plant-derived drugs becoming increasingly explored. In particular, sanguinarine is a benzophenanthridine alkaloid obtained from the root of Sanguinaria canadensis, and from other poppy Fumaria species, with recognized anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Recently, increasing evidence that sanguinarine exibits anticancer potential through its capability of inducing apoptosis and/or antiproliferative effects on tumor cells, has been proved. Moreover, its antitumor seems to be due not only to its pro-apoptotic and inhibitory effects on tumor growth, but also to its antiangiogenic and anti-invasive properties. Although the precise mechanisms underlying the antitumor activity of this compound remain not fully understood, in this review we will focus on the most recent findings about the cellular and molecular pathways affected by sanguinarine, together with the rationale of its potential application in clinic. The complex of data currently available suggest the potential application of sanguinarine as an adjuvant in the therapy of cancer, but further pre-clinical studies are needed before such an antitumor strategy can be effectively translated in the clinical practice.
Core tip: Sanguinarine is a benzophenanthridine alkaloid isolated from the root of Sanguinaria canadensis, and other poppy Fumaria species, which exibits a clear-cut anticancer potential by inducing apoptosis and/or antiproliferative effects on tumor cells. Sanguinarine also shows antiangiogenic and anti-invasive properties, as demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. In consideration of the multiple biological effects of sanguinarine, which suggest its possible use in cancer therapy, further detailed pharmacokinetic and toxicologic studies are required to assess both the efficacy and safety of the compound before proposing a possible translation into the clinic.