Serine

Amino acid

Biology

Codonopsis

Radix (gastropod)

Biochemistry

Botany

Traditional Chinese medicine

Alanine

Stereochemistry

Alternative medicine

Enzyme

Pharmacology

Glycoside

Medicine

Chemistry

Traditional medicine

Efflux

Pathology

Natural Products and Bioprospecting

Lobetyolin (LBT) is a polyacetylene glycoside found in diverse medicinal plants but mainly isolated from the roots of Codonopsis pilosula , known as Radix Codonopsis or Dangshen. Twelve traditional Chinese medicinal preparations containing Radix Codonopsis were identified; they are generally used to tonify spleen and lung Qi and occasionally to treat cancer. Here we have reviewed the anticancer properties of Codonopsis extracts, LBT and structural analogs. Lobetyolin and lobetyolinin are the mono- and bis-glucosylated forms of the polyacetylenic compound lobetyol. Lobetyol and LBT have shown activities against several types of cancer (notably gastric cancer) and we examined the molecular basis of their activity. A down-regulation of glutamine metabolism by LBT has been evidenced, contributing to drug-induced apoptosis and tumor growth inhibition. LBT markedly reduces both mRNA and protein expression of the amino acid transporter Alanine-Serine-Cysteine Transporter 2 (ASCT2). Other potential targets are proposed here, based on the structural analogy with other anticancer compounds. LBT and related polyacetylene glycosides should be further considered as potential anticancer agents, but more work is needed to evaluate their efficacy, toxicity, and risk–benefit ratio.

Anticancer Properties of Lobetyolin, an Essential Component of Radix Codonopsis (Dangshen)