Pharmacological Features and Therapeutic Implications of Plumbagin in Cancer and Metabolic Disorders: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Plumbagin (PLB) is a naphthoquinone extracted from Plumbago indica. In recent times, there has been a growing body of evidence suggesting the potential importance of naphthoquinones, both natural and artificial, in the pharmacological world. Numerous studies have indicated that PLB plays a vital role in combating cancers and other disorders. There is substantial evidence indicating that PLB may have a significant role in the treatment of breast cancer, brain tumours, lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and other conditions. Moreover, its potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties offer promising avenues for the treatment of neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. A number of studies have identified various pathways that may be responsible for the therapeutic efficacy of PLB. These include cell cycle regulation, apoptotic pathways, ROS induction pathways, inflammatory pathways, and signal transduction pathways such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, STAT3/PLK1/AKT, and others. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the diverse pharmacological roles of PLB, examining the mechanisms through which it operates and exploring its potential applications in various medical conditions. In addition, we have conducted a review of the various formulations that have been reported in the literature with the objective of enhancing the efficacy of the compound. However, the majority of the reviewed data are based on in vitro and in vivo studies. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the safety and efficacy of PLB in humans and to ascertain its potential integration into therapeutic regimens for cancer and chronic diseases, rigorous clinical trials are essential. Finally, by synthesizing current research and identifying gaps in knowledge, this review seeks to enhance our understanding of PLB and its therapeutic prospects, paving the way for future studies and clinical applications.

Keywords: anti-inflammatory; anticancer; antioxidant; apoptosis; cardiovascular disease; natural products; neurodegenerative diseases; plumbagin.

Figure 1

Structure of PLB with its role in preventing various diseases.

Figure 2

Modes of action of PLB in the treatment of various forms of Cancers. While apoptosis is the primary pathway involved in restricting cancer growth, other pathways, such as immunogenic cell death, ferroptosis, and proptosis, are also involved.

Figure 3

Molecular mechanisms of action of PLB. PLB downregulates several pathways in tumour cells to induce autophagy, cell cycle arrest, and DNA damage. These mechanisms inhibit metastasis and proliferation via Akt/PI3K, STAT3, NF-κB, and Wnt pathways. PLB introduces a cascade of signalling pathways that eventually stimulate apoptosis in cancerous cells.