Hyperforin, a new lead compound against the progression of cancer and leukemia?

• Published in: Leukemia Vol. 20; no. 9; pp. 1519 - 1525
• Main Authors: QUINEY, C, BILLARD, C, SALANOUBAT, C, FOURNERON, J. D, KOLB, J. P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing 01-09-2006; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Antiangiogenics; Antidepressants; Antidepressive Agents - pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Apoptosis; Biological and medical sciences; Biological properties; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds - pharmacology; Cancer; Cancer cells; Chemical properties; Chronic lymphocytic leukemia; Control; Development and progression; Drug therapy; Flavonoids; Health aspects; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Herbal medicine; Humans; Inflammation; Lead compounds; Leukemia; Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis; Lipophilic; Lymphatic leukemia; Lymphocytes B; Medical sciences; Mental depression; Neoplasms - pathology; Phloroglucinol; Phloroglucinol - analogs & derivatives; Phloroglucinol - pharmacology; Plant extracts; Solid tumors; Terpenes - pharmacology; Tumor cells; Tumors; France; Antineoplastic agent; Human; hyperforin; Leukemia; Malignant hemopathy; Malignant tumor; St John's wort; Heavy metal; Angiogenesis; Cell death; Tumor progression; Antidepressant agent; Neovascularization; Apoptosis; Cancer
• ISSN: 0887-6924; 1476-5551
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2404301

Extracts of the plant St John's wort, Hyperforin perforatum L., have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, notably for the treatment of depression. One of their main lipophilic components, a natural prenylated phloroglucinol termed hyperforin (HF), has been identified as the major molecule responsible for the antidepressant effects of this plant. Within the last few years, a number of studies have demonstrated that HF displays, in addition, several other biological properties of potential pharmacological interest. They include an antibacterial capacity and inhibitory effects on inflammatory mediators. It is worth noting that HF also promotes apoptosis of various cancer cells from solid tumors and hematological malignancies, including B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In addition, HF inhibits the capacity of migration and invasion of different tumor cells, as well as exhibiting antiangiogenic effects. Altogether, these properties qualify HF as a lead structure for the development of new therapeutic molecules in the treatment of various diseases, including some malignant tumors.