N-triterpene saponins in cancer therapy: a review of mode of action

ARSLAN I; CENZANO A

REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE FARMACOGNOSIA

JOHN BENJAMINS PUBLISHING COMPANY

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2020

0102-695X

N-triterpene saponins (hereafter NTS) are glycoconjugates which include nitrogen atom in aminoacyl moiety attached to polycyclic triterpene core structure termed aglicone or sugar chain via amid bond. To date, there are many examples in the literature regarding the isolation, characterization and anticancer properties of distinct steroidal or triterpene-based saponins from natural sources but a limited number of papers regarding on NTS and their impressive anticancer properties have been reported until now (Thu at al., 2019; Gevrenova et al., 2006; Mohamed et.al 2015; Zhao et al. 1996). Here, the fashinating anticancer properties of NTS and their molecular basics; (i) synergistic effect by enhancing the cytotoxicity of the targeted toxin, (ii) moderate activity on opioid receptors and also (iii) ANO1 inhibitory activity have been extensively reviewed. To the best of our knowledge, there is no review on NTS from natural sources and their impressive anticancer features.Saponins are widely found in a variety of higher plant parts in particular in roots, tubers, leaves and seeds but NTS are rarely found in nature. Due to their complex molecular structures, modern analytical tools and methods such as HPLC, LC-MS and NMR are needed for purification and structural elucidation. These complex structures have molecular weights ranging from 500 to more than 2000 daltons. Due to their unique structures and inherent biological activities, study of the biology and chemistry of the saponins has attracted much attention from both chemical and biological communities.