Research Progress on Anti-tumor of Cinobufacini / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ABSTRACT

Cinobufacini is an extract from skin of Bufo gargarizans, and composed of bufadienolides, peptides, alkaloids and cholesterol. With the deepening of research of its pharmacological effect, it has been proved that cinobufacini has important application value in anti-inflammation, anti-virus, anti-tumor, as well as swelling and pain relief. In recent years, more attention has been given to its anti-tumor activity. The molecular pharmacology studies showed that cinobufacini plays an important role on anti-tumor by enhancing the immunity, inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells, inducing the apoptosis of tumor cells, reversing multidrug resistance of tumor cells, and inhibiting the tumor angiogenesis. Both intrinsic pathway mediated by mitochondria and extrinsic pathway mediated by death receptor are involved in cinobufacini-induced apoptosis. Clinical studies have shown that cinobufacini is broadly used as an anti-tumor traditional Chinese medicine, due to its advantages of low toxicity, less side effects, and wide anticancer spectrum. It is broadly used in the treatment of liver cancer, gastric carcinoma, lung cancer, colon cancer, esophageal carcinoma, carcinoma of gallbladder, and non-Hodgkinlymphoma. Either single or combined application plays an active role in improving the efficacy and reducing side effects. To promote the research of anti-tumor activity of cinobufacini, and expand its application prospects, this review focuses on anti-tumor mechanism and clinical application of cinobufacini.