Role of Isoprenoid Compounds on Angiogenic Regulation: Opportunities and Challenges

abstract

Isoprenoids represent one of the largest classes of phytochemicals. The structural diversity of these compounds, as well as their remarkable biological activities, makes them suitable candidates for the development of novel therapeutic agents. Several isoprenoids have demonstrated promising potential in the modulation of angiogenesis processes, and therefore provide an appealing alternative and/or addition to the available pharmacotherapies. These compounds could be used per se or combined with standard therapies, which can potentially reduce the undesired secondary effects. Compounds like the sesquiterpenoid artemisinin, and its derivatives, or the diterpenoid triptolide have been successfully tested in a broad range of models (in vitro and in vivo). Moreover, sesquiterpenoids seem to be a promising resource of natural angiogenic modulators, as it can be attested by the significant number of recent publications in this subject. On the other hand, other isoprenoids, such as the triterpenoid ursolic acid, are still under-explored and further studies are needed to understand their role within angiogenic process. Further insights into isoprenoids mode of action in angiogenesis will hopefully pave the way towards their successful clinical use.

keywords

ENDOTHELIAL-GROWTH-FACTOR; NF-KAPPA-B; INHIBITS TUMOR ANGIOGENESIS; CELLS IN-VITRO; BREAST-CANCER CELLS; HYPOXIA-INDUCIBLE FACTOR-1-ALPHA; MULTIPLE-MYELOMA CELLS; SMOOTH-MUSCLE-CELLS; URSOLIC ACID; BETA-CAROTENE

subject category

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Pharmacology & Pharmacy

authors

Guerra, AR; Duarte, IF; Duarte, MF

our authors

acknowledgements

This work is funded by FEDER funds through the Operational Programme Competitiveness Factors COMPETE and national funds by FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology under the project NEucBark-New valorization strategies for Eucalyptus spp. Bark Extracts (PTDC/AGR-FOR/3187/2012). The authors also acknowledge FCT for the financial support of Ph.D. grant SFRH/BD/98635/2013 (A. R. Guerra), and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007679 (FCT Ref. UID /CTM/50011/2013), financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC and when appropriate co-financed by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement.

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