Molecular mechanisms of natural compounds in cell death induction and sensitization to chemotherapeutic drugs in lung cancer

Onsurang Wattanathamsan, Yoshihiro Hayakawa, Varisa Pongrakhananon*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, especially lung cancer. Chemotherapeutic drugs are commonly used for lung cancer treatment; nonetheless, undesirable side effects and drug resistance remain major challenges for therapeutic success. Therefore, harmless and effective treatments against lung cancer are urgently required. The use of natural phytochemical products, in single or combinatorial therapy, is an emerging strategy for prevention and cure of cancer because of the various remarkable anticancer properties of these compounds. Cell death, which primarily occurs via apoptosis and nonapoptotic mechanisms (necrosis, autophagy, and cellular senescence), is one of the antineoplastic effects of natural compounds. In this review, we highlight representative plant-derived compounds with cancer chemopreventive and sensitizing effects in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs with various cell death-inducing mechanisms. Relevant molecular mechanisms implicated in the pharmacological effects of these natural compounds are discussed. Overall, this review provides a reference and new perspective for application of phytochemical agents as potential anti-lung cancer drugs for further cancer drug research and development.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2531-2547
Number of pages17
JournalPhytotherapy Research
Volume33
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019/10/01

Keywords

  • chemosensitization
  • chemotherapeutic drugs
  • lung cancer
  • mechanism of cell death
  • natural compounds

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology

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