Anticancer Potential of Resveratrol, β-Lapachone and Their Analogues

Molecules. 2020 Feb 18;25(4):893. doi: 10.3390/molecules25040893.

Abstract

This review aims to explore the potential of resveratrol, a polyphenol stilbene, and beta-lapachone, a naphthoquinone, as well as their derivatives, in the development of new drug candidates for cancer. A brief history of these compounds is reviewed along with their potential effects and mechanisms of action and the most recent attempts to improve their bioavailability and potency against different types of cancer.

Keywords: cancer; resveratrol; β-lapachone.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Naphthoquinones / chemistry
  • Naphthoquinones / pharmacology*
  • Naphthoquinones / therapeutic use
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Resveratrol / pharmacology
  • Resveratrol / therapeutic use
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Naphthoquinones
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • beta-lapachone
  • Resveratrol