Cytotoxic and Antitumor Agents from Genus Rubia

Chem Biodivers. 2024 Dec;21(12):e202401498. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.202401498. Epub 2024 Oct 26.

Abstract

Genus Rubia is widely distributed in almost all regions of the world, with 36 species and 2 varieties in China. Rubia species, such as Rubia cordifolia, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of diseases since ancient times. In recent years, the study of anticancer effects in traditional Chinese medicine has become a popular topic, and some studies have shown that several Rubia species extracts have cytotoxic and antitumor effects, and some of them have been shown to contain specific antitumor agents. Therefore, this review focuses on the cytotoxic and antitumor effects of the chemical constituents contained in Genus Rubia. Summarized 71 types of chemical substances in 5 categories with the effect of cytotoxicity and antitumor, as well as their structures, targets and mechanisms of action.

Keywords: Antitumor; Cyclepeptides; Cytotoxicity; Genus Rubia; Quinone.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / isolation & purification
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic* / isolation & purification
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic* / pharmacology
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Rubia* / chemistry

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Plant Extracts
  • Antineoplastic Agents