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Sesquiterpenes and Asteraceae Studies
Research Guide
What is Sesquiterpenes and Asteraceae Studies?
Sesquiterpenes and Asteraceae Studies is the investigation of sesquiterpene lactones from Asteraceae plants, focusing on their chemical structures, biological activities such as apoptosis induction and NF-κB inhibition, and pharmacological potential in cancer treatment.
Research in this field examines over 77,928 works on sesquiterpene lactones derived from Asteraceae species, emphasizing their roles in apoptosis, anti-inflammatory effects, and cancer therapy. Key compounds like parthenolide and thapsigargin demonstrate selective targeting of leukemia stem cells and other cancer mechanisms. Studies also cover the chemistry, antioxidant properties, and traditional uses of these lactones from medicinal plants.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Sesquiterpene Lactones Chemistry
This sub-topic elucidates isolation, structural elucidation, and biosynthesis of sesquiterpene lactones from Asteraceae plants using NMR and MS techniques. Researchers synthesize analogs for structure-activity studies.
Sesquiterpene Lactones Anticancer Activity
Research investigates cytotoxicity mechanisms against cancer cell lines, including microtubule disruption and topoisomerase inhibition by compounds like parthenolide. In vivo xenograft models test therapeutic potential.
NF-κB Inhibition by Sesquiterpene Lactones
Studies detail covalent alkylation of Cys38 in NF-κB p65 by α-methylene-γ-lactones, blocking inflammation and survival signaling in tumors. Selectivity and off-target profiling are key focuses.
Sesquiterpene Lactones Anti-inflammatory Effects
This area explores suppression of cytokines, COX-2, and leukocyte migration in models of arthritis and colitis. Clinical translation from herbal remedies like feverfew is examined.
Thapsigargin Pharmacology
Investigations target SERCA inhibition for ER stress-induced apoptosis in prostate cancer, including prodrug strategies for focal delivery. Toxicity mitigation and combination therapies are researched.
Why It Matters
Sesquiterpene lactones from Asteraceae plants show promise in cancer treatment by inducing apoptosis in leukemia stem and progenitor cells, as demonstrated by Guzmán et al. (2005) in "The sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide induces apoptosis of human acute myelogenous leukemia stem and progenitor cells," which reported selective killing of these cells while sparing normal progenitors. These compounds inhibit NF-κB pathways and exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, supporting applications in oncology and pharmacology. Chadwick et al. (2013) in "Sesquiterpenoids Lactones: Benefits to Plants and People" highlight their potential for treating cardiovascular disease and cancer through dietary or pharmaceutical use, with parthenolide cited for targeting malignant stem cells central to leukemia relapse.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"Sesquiterpenoids Lactones: Benefits to Plants and People" by Chadwick et al. (2013), as it provides an accessible overview of sesquiterpene lactones from Asteraceae, their biological benefits, and human health applications including cancer treatment.
Key Papers Explained
Chadwick et al. (2013) in "Sesquiterpenoids Lactones: Benefits to Plants and People" reviews benefits and mechanisms of Asteraceae lactones, building foundational knowledge. Guzmán et al. (2005) in "The sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide induces apoptosis of human acute myelogenous leukemia stem and progenitor cells" applies this to specific cancer stem cell apoptosis. Earlier works like Bremer and Anderberg (1994) in "Asteraceae: Cladistics and Classification" and Růžička (1953) in "The isoprene rule and the biogenesis of terpenic compounds" provide phylogenetic and biosynthetic context for lactone origins.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Current research focuses on pharmacological optimization of lactones like parthenolide for cancer stem cell targeting, extending Guzmán et al. (2005) findings. Studies emphasize NF-κB inhibition and apoptosis pathways in leukemia models. No recent preprints available, but the 77,928 works underscore ongoing exploration of thapsigargin and related compounds.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asteraceae: Cladistics and Classification | 1994 | — | 1.3K | ✕ |
| 2 | The Biology and Chemistry of the Compositae | 1978 | Taxon | 1.2K | ✕ |
| 3 | Systematics, evolution, and biogeography of Compositae | 2009 | — | 964 | ✕ |
| 4 | Screening methods for natural products with antimicrobial acti... | 1988 | Journal of Ethnopharma... | 821 | ✕ |
| 5 | Release of prostaglandins E and F in an algogenic reaction and... | 1980 | European Journal of Ph... | 741 | ✕ |
| 6 | The isoprene rule and the biogenesis of terpenic compounds | 1953 | Cellular and Molecular... | 709 | ✕ |
| 7 | The sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide induces apoptosis of hu... | 2005 | Blood | 672 | ✓ |
| 8 | Lippia: traditional uses, chemistry and pharmacology: a review | 2001 | Journal of Ethnopharma... | 651 | ✕ |
| 9 | Screening of chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxida... | 2008 | Phytochemistry | 632 | ✕ |
| 10 | Sesquiterpenoids Lactones: Benefits to Plants and People | 2013 | International Journal ... | 617 | ✓ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are sesquiterpene lactones?
Sesquiterpene lactones are terpenoid compounds from Asteraceae plants with biological activities including apoptosis induction and NF-κB inhibition. They derive from medicinal plants and show pharmacological properties in cancer and inflammation treatment. Chadwick et al. (2013) in "Sesquiterpenoids Lactones: Benefits to Plants and People" describe their roles in human health via diet or pharmaceuticals.
How does parthenolide affect leukemia cells?
Parthenolide induces apoptosis specifically in human acute myelogenous leukemia stem and progenitor cells. Guzmán et al. (2005) in "The sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide induces apoptosis of human acute myelogenous leukemia stem and progenitor cells" showed it targets these rare cells critical to leukemia initiation and relapse, sparing normal cells.
What is the role of Asteraceae in sesquiterpene research?
Asteraceae (Compositae) is a primary source of sesquiterpene lactones studied for their chemistry and bioactivity. Bremer and Anderberg (1994) in "Asteraceae: Cladistics and Classification" reconstructed the family's phylogeny, aiding identification of lactone-producing species. Studies link these plants to antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties.
What biological activities do sesquiterpene lactones exhibit?
Sesquiterpene lactones display anticancer effects via apoptosis, anti-inflammatory actions through NF-κB inhibition, and antioxidant properties. Guzmán et al. (2005) demonstrated parthenolide's activity against leukemia stem cells. The field covers 77,928 works on these mechanisms from Asteraceae-derived compounds.
Which compounds from Asteraceae are used in cancer therapy?
Compounds like parthenolide and thapsigargin from Asteraceae show potential in cancer therapy. Parthenolide targets leukemia stem cells, as in Guzmán et al. (2005). These lactones inhibit key pathways like NF-κB, supporting pharmacological applications.
Open Research Questions
- ? How can sesquiterpene lactones like parthenolide be optimized for selective targeting of cancer stem cells without affecting normal progenitors?
- ? What structural modifications enhance the bioavailability and NF-κB inhibitory potency of Asteraceae-derived sesquiterpene lactones?
- ? Which Asteraceae species yield the most potent apoptosis-inducing lactones for clinical cancer applications?
- ? How do interactions between sesquiterpene lactones and leukemia stem cell pathways contribute to relapse prevention?
Recent Trends
The field encompasses 77,928 works on sesquiterpene lactones from Asteraceae, with high-citation papers like Guzmán et al. (672 citations) driving focus on cancer stem cell apoptosis.
2005Chadwick et al. (617 citations) reinforces benefits in cancer and cardiovascular treatment.
2013No growth rate data or recent preprints/news available, indicating steady foundational research.
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