Advance in research on anticancer drug β-elemene and its derivatives / 中草药

ABSTRACT

β-elemene is the sesquiterpene active monomer, as a national second-class non-cell toxic antitumor drugs which extracted from Zingiberaceae Curcuma rcenyujin. Moreover, β-elemene is currently used in clinic for treatment of lung cancer, liver cancer as well as breast cancer, and so on. Because of its broad-spectrum, safe, efficient, economical and other outstanding advantages in antitumor activities, leading to a broad application prospect in clinic. With the deep study of component and anticancer mechanisms of β-elemene, in order to promote its bioavailability and anticancer activity, researchers have screened a great deal of significant effective derivatives, and designed its liposome, microemulsion and other new drug delivery systems, which provide scientific theoretical guidance for further development and utilization of β-elemene. In this study, a systematic illustration was made for the current advance of pharmacological effects and mechanisms of β-elemene on treating cancer. In addition, the important derivatives, new drug delivery systems, and adverse reactions of β-elemene also be clarified, aiming to provide ideas for further scientific research and innovation of β-elemene.