Molecular mechanism of shikonin inhibiting tumor growth and potential application in cancer treatment

Qiang Wang; Jing Wang; Jiayou Wang; Xiaoli Ju; Heng Zhang

doi:10.1093/toxres/tfab107

Molecular mechanism of shikonin inhibiting tumor growth and potential application in cancer treatment

Toxicol Res (Camb). 2021 Nov 26;10(6):1077-1084. doi: 10.1093/toxres/tfab107. eCollection 2021 Dec.

Authors

Qiang Wang¹, Jing Wang¹, Jiayou Wang¹, Xiaoli Ju², Heng Zhang³

Affiliations

¹ School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, PR China.
² School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China.
³ Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Lishui District People's Hospital, Zhongda Hospital Lishui Branch, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.

Abstract

Shikonin is one of the major bioactive components of Lithospermum erythrorhizon. It has a good killing effect in a variety of tumor cells. Its antitumor effect involves multiple targets and pathways and has received extensive attention and study in recent years. In this review, we systematically review recent progress in determining the antitumor mechanism of shikonin and its derivatives, specifically their induction of reactive oxygen species production, inhibition of EGFR and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activation, inhibition of angiogenesis and induction of apoptosis and necroptosis. We also discuss the application of nanoparticles loaded with shikonin in the targeted therapy of various cancers. Finally, we suggest new strategies for the clinical application of shikonin and its derivatives.

Keywords: antitumor; apoptosis; nanoparticles; reactive oxygen species; shikonin.