Tanshinone IIA

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), a neuroprotective natural compound extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza, is used in stroke treatment. However, elucidating Tan IIA's neuroprotective mechanisms remains challenging due to limitations in assessing drug efficacy and biochemical parameters in clinical studies. This study investigated Tan IIA's impact on neuroinflammatory responses and its neuroprotective mechanisms using HMGB1- or TNF-α-stimulated BV2 microglia in a co-culture system with primary neuron cells. The results indicated that Tan IIA significantly reduced microglial activation induced by TNF-α or HMGB1. Concurrently, Tan IIA disrupted the interactions between HMGB1 and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and between TNF-α and TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1), modulating the HMGB1/TLR4/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and TNF-α/TNFR1/NF-κB signaling pathways and related protein expressions. Moreover, co-culture experiments showed that neuronal apoptosis induced by microglial activation was reversed by Tan IIA. In conclusion, Tan IIA provides neuroprotection by modulating signaling pathways in microglia, thus preventing neuronal apoptosis. This study offers new insights into therapeutic targets for ischemic stroke.

The long history of clinical experience in China have confirmed the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating prostate cancer (PCa). Until now, several bioactive compounds with anti-PCa potential, such as curcumin, gallic acid, and quercetin, have been extracted from TCM. Recent studies have shown that encapsulating these TCM bioactive compounds into nano-delivery system enhanced their bioavailability and improved their ability to target PCa tumors.

This review aims to summarize the anti-PCa effects and molecular mechanisms of TCM bioactive compounds and discuss the clinical application prospects and future research trends of nano-delivery system based on these compounds.

Literatures focusing on the treatment of PCa using traditional Chinese medicine compounds via nano-drug delivery system were searched from Electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus until December 2023.

Polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenes, and quinones exhibit anti-PCa effects through various pathways. Notably, compounds like curcumin, gallic acid, quercetin, and tanshinone have been extensively studied in nano-delivery systems for anti-PCa purpose. Nano-delivery systems enhance the biological activity of free compounds and reduce toxic side effects, as well. Commonly used nanomaterials for delivering TCM compounds include polymer nanomaterials, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and niosomes.

Research on nano-delivery systems for TCM bioactive compounds holds promising prospects for anti-PCa therapy. However, extensive clinical trials are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of these nanodrugs.