MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Hispolon: A Natural Polyphenol and Emerging Cancer Killer by Multiple Cellular Signaling Pathways

Summary

This research examines hispolon, a natural compound found in medicinal mushrooms, and its potential as a therapeutic agent, particularly for fighting cancer. The compound works by targeting multiple cellular pathways that control cancer cell growth and spread. Impact on everyday life: – Could lead to development of safer and more effective cancer treatments – Demonstrates the value of natural products in modern medicine – Offers potential new treatments for diabetes and inflammatory conditions – Shows promise for developing antiviral medications – Highlights the importance of mushrooms as sources of therapeutic compounds

Background

Natural products have regained prominence in drug discovery due to their pharmacological significance, biological functions and structural diversity. Hispolon is a yellow colored polyphenolic compound first isolated in 1996 from Inonotus hispidus. It has emerged as a promising bioactive compound with diverse therapeutic properties.

Objective

This review aims to update the scientific community about natural sources and pharmacological potential of hispolon by providing insights into its present status in therapeutic pursuits. The study analyzes hispolon’s structure-activity relationships, natural sources, and various biological activities with focus on its anticancer mechanisms.

Results

Hispolon demonstrates significant anticancer activity against multiple cancer types including glioblastoma, cervical, breast, lung, prostate and leukemia cells through various mechanisms including cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, and metastasis inhibition. It acts via multiple pathways including PI3K/Akt, MAPK and NF-κB. Additionally, hispolon shows antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties.

Conclusion

Hispolon is a promising small molecule with high cell specificity and multiple therapeutic properties. Its ability to target multiple pathways makes it an attractive scaffold for drug development, particularly as an anticancer agent. However, further studies are needed to determine its bioavailability, toxicological limits and ADMET profile for validation as a potential therapeutic agent.
  • Published in:Environmental Research,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110017
Scroll to Top