Studies on the anti-cancer potential of sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide

Abstract

Parthenolide is the major sesquiterpene lactone responsible for the bioactivities of Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), a traditional herbal medicine which has been used in treatment of fever, migraine and arthritis for centuries. This compound has long been known to have potent anti-inflammatory properties. However, its anti-cancer properties are less studied. Thus, the main objective of this study is to systematically investigate the anti-cancer properties of parthenolide in vitro and in vivo. The results from current study demonstrate that parthenolide disrupts intracellular redox balance, induces apoptosis in cancer cells and sensitizes cancer cells to TNFI?-mediated cell death. Furthermore, parthenolide also suppresses the tumor growth in vivo. All these new findings provide a new insight of the parthenolidea??s bioactivity which may help to develop it into a potential anti-cancer drug in the near future.