Parthenolide
Encyclopedia
Parthenolide is a sesquiterpene lactone
of the germacranolide
class which occurs naturally in the plant feverfew
(Tanacetum parthenium), after which it is named. It is found in highest concentration in the flowers and fruit.
The plant is well known in natural medicine
. Tablets and tinctures are used for the relief of migraine
, to help prevent blood clots, as an anti-inflammatory providing relief in cases of arthritis
, to relieve some types of menstrual problems, and as a digestive aid. Parthenolide is the main active ingredient.
Many vendors of feverfew remedies specify the content of parthenolide in their products. Lack of solubility in water limits the benefits of parthenolide as a drug, and now motivates drug researchers to develop synthetic analogs that will be easier to absorb.
Sesquiterpene lactone
Sesquiterpene lactones are a class of chemical compounds; they are sesquiterpenoids and contain a lactone ring, hence the name....
of the germacranolide
Germacranolide
Germacranolides are a group of natural chemical compounds classified as sesquiterpene lactones. They are found in a variety of plant sources....
class which occurs naturally in the plant feverfew
Feverfew
Feverfew is a traditional medicinal herb which is found in many old gardens, and is also occasionally grown for ornament. The plant grows into a small bush up to around high, with citrus-scented leaves and is covered by flowers reminiscent of daisies...
(Tanacetum parthenium), after which it is named. It is found in highest concentration in the flowers and fruit.
The plant is well known in natural medicine
Herbalism
Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, herblore, and phytotherapy...
. Tablets and tinctures are used for the relief of migraine
Migraine
Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by moderate to severe headaches, and nausea...
, to help prevent blood clots, as an anti-inflammatory providing relief in cases of arthritis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
, to relieve some types of menstrual problems, and as a digestive aid. Parthenolide is the main active ingredient.
Many vendors of feverfew remedies specify the content of parthenolide in their products. Lack of solubility in water limits the benefits of parthenolide as a drug, and now motivates drug researchers to develop synthetic analogs that will be easier to absorb.
Biological activities
- It is a potential anticancer drug. It destroys acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells by inducing apoptosisApoptosisApoptosis is the process of programmed cell death that may occur in multicellular organisms. Biochemical events lead to characteristic cell changes and death. These changes include blebbing, cell shrinkage, nuclear fragmentation, chromatin condensation, and chromosomal DNA fragmentation...
, leaving normal bone marrow cells relatively unscathed. Moreover, the compound may get at the root of the disease because it also kills stem cellStem cellThis article is about the cell type. For the medical therapy, see Stem Cell TreatmentsStem cells are biological cells found in all multicellular organisms, that can divide and differentiate into diverse specialized cell types and can self-renew to produce more stem cells...
s that give rise to AML. Parthenolide is under consideration as a potential cancer drug in combination with sulindacSulindacSulindac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug of the arylalkanoic acid class that is marketed in the UK & U.S. by Merck as Clinoril.-Uses:...
. - Parthenolide is active against a parasite Leishmania amazonensisLeishmaniasisLeishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoan parasites that belong to the genus Leishmania and is transmitted by the bite of certain species of sand fly...
. - MicrotubuleMicrotubuleMicrotubules are a component of the cytoskeleton. These rope-like polymers of tubulin can grow as long as 25 micrometers and are highly dynamic. The outer diameter of microtubule is about 25 nm. Microtubules are important for maintaining cell structure, providing platforms for intracellular...
-interfering activity of parthenolide. - Anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic effects of sesquiterpene lactones.
- Parthenolide blocks lipopolysaccharide-induced osteolysis through the suppression of NF-κB activity.
External links
- Parthenolide from FermentekFermentekFermentek Ltd. is a biotechnological company, located in Atarot industrial zone, Jerusalem, Israel, specializing in the research, development and manufacture of biologically active, natural products isolated from microorganisms as well as from other natural sources such as plants and algae.The main...
, the source of the original content - Orally bioavailable parthenolide analog eradicates leukemia stem cells Will Boggs, MD, Reuters Health, October 26, 2007
- Daisies lead scientists down path to new leukemia drug, 10-02-2007
- DNC NEWS: Feverfew, Stem cells and the treatment of Cancer, June 29, 2005
- Headache herb may boost cancer survival, Indiana University Research and Creative Activity, Fall 2006