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Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17(2):603-622. doi:10.7150/ijbs.50364 This issue Cite

Review

Dihydroartemisinin: A Potential Natural Anticancer Drug

Xiaoshuo Dai1#, Xiaoyan Zhang1,2,3#, Wei Chen1,2, Yihuan Chen1, Qiushuang Zhang1, Saijun Mo1,2, Jing Lu1,2,3✉

1. Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
2. Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
3. State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052, PR China
#These authors contributed equally to this work.

✉ Corresponding author: Dr Jing Lu, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100 Science Road, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China. Email: lujingedu.cn

Citation:
Dai X, Zhang X, Chen W, Chen Y, Zhang Q, Mo S, Lu J. Dihydroartemisinin: A Potential Natural Anticancer Drug. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17(2):603-622. doi:10.7150/ijbs.50364. https://www.ijbs.com/v17p0603.htm
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Abstract

Graphic abstract

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is an active metabolite of artemisinin and its derivatives (ARTs), and it is an effective clinical drug widely used to treat malaria. Recently, the anticancer activity of DHA has attracted increasing attention. Nevertheless, there is no systematic summary on the anticancer effects of DHA. Notably, studies have shown that DHA exerts anticancer effects through various molecular mechanisms, such as inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting tumor metastasis and angiogenesis, promoting immune function, inducing autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the latest progress regarding the anticancer activities of DHA in cancer. Importantly, the underlying anticancer molecular mechanisms and pharmacological effects of DHA in vitro and in vivo are the focus of our attention. Interestingly, new methods to improve the solubility and bioavailability of DHA are discussed, which greatly enhance its anticancer efficacy. Remarkably, DHA has synergistic anti-tumor effects with a variety of clinical drugs, and preclinical and clinical studies provide stronger evidence of its anticancer potential. Moreover, this article also gives suggestions for further research on the anticancer effects of DHA. Thus, we hope to provide a strong theoretical support for DHA as an anticancer drug.

Keywords: Dihydroartemisinin, Cancer, Proliferation, Apoptosis, Combination medication, Clinical trail

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APA
Dai, X., Zhang, X., Chen, W., Chen, Y., Zhang, Q., Mo, S., Lu, J. (2021). Dihydroartemisinin: A Potential Natural Anticancer Drug. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 17(2), 603-622. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.50364.

ACS
Dai, X.; Zhang, X.; Chen, W.; Chen, Y.; Zhang, Q.; Mo, S.; Lu, J. Dihydroartemisinin: A Potential Natural Anticancer Drug. Int. J. Biol. Sci. 2021, 17 (2), 603-622. DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.50364.

NLM
Dai X, Zhang X, Chen W, Chen Y, Zhang Q, Mo S, Lu J. Dihydroartemisinin: A Potential Natural Anticancer Drug. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17(2):603-622. doi:10.7150/ijbs.50364. https://www.ijbs.com/v17p0603.htm

CSE
Dai X, Zhang X, Chen W, Chen Y, Zhang Q, Mo S, Lu J. 2021. Dihydroartemisinin: A Potential Natural Anticancer Drug. Int J Biol Sci. 17(2):603-622.

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