Promising Nanomedicines of Shikonin for Cancer Therapy

Int J Nanomedicine. 2023 Mar 10:18:1195-1218. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S401570. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Malignant tumor, the leading cause of death worldwide, poses a serious threat to human health. For decades, natural product has been proven to be an essential source for novel anticancer drug discovery. Shikonin (SHK), a natural molecule separated from the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, shows great potential in anticancer therapy. However, its further clinical application is significantly restricted by poor bioavailability, adverse effects, and non-selective toxicity. With the development of nanotechnology, nano drug delivery systems have emerged as promising strategies to improve bioavailability and enhance the therapeutic efficacy of drugs. To overcome the shortcoming of SHK, various nano drug delivery systems such as liposomes, polymeric micelles, nanoparticles, nanogels, and nanoemulsions, were developed to achieve efficient delivery for enhanced antitumor effects. Herein, this review summarizes the anticancer pharmacological activities and pharmacokinetics of SHK. Additionally, the latest progress of SHK nanomedicines in cancer therapy is outlined, focusing on long circulation, tumor targeting ability, tumor microenvironment responsive drug release, and nanosystem-mediated combination therapy. Finally, the challenges and prospects of SHK nanomedicines in the future clinical application are spotlighted.

Keywords: cancer therapy; drug delivery; nanomedicine; pharmacokinetics; shikonin.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Liposomes / pharmacology
  • Nanomedicine
  • Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • shikonin
  • Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Liposomes

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 82204633); the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (grant number 2021M700550); the National Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province (grant numbers 2022NSFSC0634, 2023NSFSC1782); Traditional Chinese Medicine Scientific Research Project of Sichuan Provincial Administration of traditional Chinese Medicine (grant number 2020JC0038); Talent training quality and Teaching Reform Project of higher Education in Sichuan Province (grant number JG2021-787); Sichuan traditional Chinese Medicine Health Industry Development and Rural Revitalization Research Center Project “Research on the practice path of Intelligent Management of traditional Chinese Medicine under the background of Rural Revitalization” (grant number DJKYB202215); and the talent research promotion plan of “Xinglin scholar” discipline in Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (grant number BSH2021024).