Parthenolide
from Feverfew
Solvents: water, good; alcohol, excellent; glycerin, fair to good; vinegar, poor; oil, excellent
Parthenolide is a natural compound that has gained significant attention in recent years due to its potential therapeutic properties. Derived from the medicinal plant feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), parthenolide has been studied for its anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
One of the most well-known properties of parthenolide is its anti-inflammatory activity. It has been shown to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory molecules, such as cytokines and chemokines, thereby reducing inflammation in various disease conditions. Parthenolide achieves this by targeting key signaling pathways involved in inflammation, including NF-κB and MAPK pathways. By modulating these pathways, parthenolide can effectively suppress the inflammatory response and alleviate symptoms associated with inflammatory diseases.
Anticancer Effects
Parthenolide has also demonstrated promising anticancer effects. Studies have shown that it can inhibit the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, induce apoptosis (programmed cell death), and inhibit angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels that supply tumors). These effects have been observed in various types of cancer, including breast, lung, colon, and leukemia. Furthermore, parthenolide has shown potential as a sensitizer for chemotherapy, enhancing the efficacy of conventional cancer treatments.
Neuroprotective Potential
In addition to its anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, parthenolide has shown neuroprotective effects. It has been found to protect neurons from oxidative stress and reduce neuroinflammation, which are key factors in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Parthenolide's ability to modulate multiple pathways involved in neurodegeneration makes it a promising candidate for the development of novel neuroprotective therapies.
Mechanisms of Action
The mechanisms underlying the diverse effects of parthenolide are still being elucidated. However, several key pathways have been identified. Parthenolide has been shown to inhibit the activity of NF-κB, a transcription factor that plays a crucial role in inflammation and cancer development. By blocking NF-κB, parthenolide can suppress the expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-survival genes. Additionally, parthenolide can activate the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, which regulates the cellular antioxidant response. This activation leads to increased production of antioxidant enzymes, protecting cells from oxidative damage.
Parthenolide, although perhaps more famous as an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic contributor to the migraine-prevention properties of Feverfew, has also been found to have anticancer effects. Studies report that it can induce cell-cycle arrest, promote the differentiation and maturation of cancer cells, and initiate apoptosis (via modulating TNF-a and NF-kB-induced gene transcription) specifically in tumor cells. This compound has also demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal activity.
Alternative treatments with herbal extracts offer insights into acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapy. Parthenolide (PTL), an extract from feverfew, induces apoptosis in primary human leukemia stem cells (LSCs) and bulk leukemic cell populations.
Articles/Studies
Anti-Inflammatory
It inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, prostaglandin (PG) E2 and TNF-α.
- The anti-inflammatory natural product parthenolide from the medicinal herb Feverfew directly binds to and inhibits IκB kinase
- Parthenolide alleviates peritoneal fibrosis by inhibiting inflammation.
Antiviral
Parthenolide inhibits proliferation of cells infected with Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus.
Cancer
- Parthenolide as cooperating agent for anti-cancer treatment of various malignancies.
- Effect of parthenolide on growth and apoptosis regulatory genes of human cancer cell lines.
- Involvement of proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members in parthenolide-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis.
- * Parthenolide, a sesquiterpene lactone, expresses multiple anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities.
- Antiproliferative activity of parthenolide against three human cancer cell lines and human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
- Parthenolide Induces Apoptosis in Committed Progenitor AML Cell line U937 via Reduction in Osteopontin
- Oral administration of parthenolide completely prevented tumor formation and significantly reduced the severity of histopathological changes.
- Parthenolide induces ROS-mediated apoptosis in lymphoid malignancies.
- Parthenolide potentiates the anti-cancer activity of the chemotherapy drug vinorelbine against cancer stem-like cells and **breast cancer** cell lines.
- * Inhibition of AMPK/autophagy potentiates parthenolide-induced apoptosis in human **breast cancer** cells
- Feverfew contains the compound parthenolide which exhibits antiproliferative activities against human and **breast cancer** cell lines.
- Anticancer and apoptotic activities of parthenolide in combination with epirubicin in mda-mb-468 **breast cancer** cells.
- Feverfew contains the compound parthenolide which exhibits microtubule-interfering activity in human **breast cancer** cells.
- Parthenolide reduces tumor burden and alleviates **cachexia** symptoms.
- Parthenolide exerts inhibitory effects on angiogenesis through the downregulation of VEGF/VEGFRs in **colorectal cancer**.
- Parthenolide inhibits proliferation and invasion, promotes apoptosis in **colorectal cancer** cells.
- Parthenolide is a potential novel therapeutic agent for aggressive **colorectal cancer** treatment.
- Synergistic antitumor effect of 5-fluorouracil in combination with parthenolide in human **colorectal cancer**.
- Parthenolide inhibits angiogenesis in **esophageal squamous cell carcinoma** through suppression of VEGF.
- Parthenolide increases the sensitivity of **gastric cancer** cells to chemotherapy.
- Parthenolide induces apoptosis in **glioblastomas** without affecting NF-kappaB.
- Parthenolide, a compound found within Feverfew, induces rapid cell death in **glioblastoma** cells.
- Parthenolide sensitizes **hepatocellular carcinoma** cells to TRAIL by inducing the expression of death receptors through inhibition of STAT3 activation.
- Parthenolide induces rapid thiol oxidation that leads to ferroptosis in **hepatocellular carcinoma** cells.
- Parthenolide suppresses the growth and stemness of **liver cancer stem cells** with metabolic vulnerability.
- Reversing resistance of **multidrug-resistant hepatic carcinoma** cells with parthenolide.
- * Parthenolide eliminates **leukemia**-initiating cell populations and improves survival in xenografts of childhood **acute lymphoblastic leukemia**
- An orally bioavailable parthenolide analog selectively eradicates **acute myelogenous leukemia** stem and progenitor cells.
- Feverfew contains the compound parthenolide which induces cell death in **acute myelogenous leukaemia** (AML), in vitro - Article 2.
- Feverfew contains the compound parthenolide which selectively eradicates **acute myelogenous leukemia** stem and progenitor cells.
- Parthenolide (a compound from Feverfew) induces significant programmed cell death in **pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia** (ALL) cell lines.
- Synergy between parthenolide and arsenic trioxide in **adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma** cells.
- Parthenolide and ginsenoside CK in long circulation liposomes with targeted tLyp-1 ligand induce mitochondria-mediated **lung cancer** apoptosis.
- Parthenolide inhibits human **lung cancer** cell growth.
- Parthenolide reverses **doxorubicin resistance in human lung carcinoma** A549 cells.
- Parthenolide suppresses **non-small cell lung cancer** GLC-82 cells growth.
- Parthenolide inhibits the growth of **non-small cell lung cancer** by targeting epidermal growth factor receptor.
- Anticancer activities of parthenolide in primary effusion **lymphoma** preclinical models.
- Parthenolide, a sesquiterpene lactone from the medical herb feverfew, shows anticancer activity against human **melanoma** cells in vitro
- * Parthenolide, a sesquiterpene lactone from the medical herb feverfew, shows anticancer activity against human **melanoma cells** in vitro.
- Parthenolide reduces the frequency of ABCB5-positive cells and clonogenic capacity of **melanoma** cells from anchorage independent melanospheres.
- "The natural products parthenolide and andrographolide exhibit anti-cancer stem cell activity in **multiple myeloma**."
- Parthenolide and sulindac cooperate to mediate growth suppression and inhibit the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway in **pancreatic carcinoma** cells.
- Parthenolide, a compound found within feverfew, inhibits **pancreatic cancer** cell growth through inhibiting factor-kappa B pathway.
- Parthenolide selectively sensitizes **prostate tumor tissue to radiotherapy** while protecting healthy tissues in vivo.
- Parthenolide inhibits the tumor characteristics of **renal cell carcinoma.**
- Feverfew contains the compound parthenolide which has a chemopreventive action against UVB-induced **skin cancer**.
- The results of this study revealed that parthenolide can be an effective and potential treatment of **thyroid cancer**.
Cardiovascular
- The feverfew plant-derived compound, parthenolide enhances platelet production and attenuates platelet activation through NF-kappaB inhibition.
- First discovery of cholesterol-lowering activity of parthenolide.
Cerebrovascular
- Parthenolide protected the brain from damage caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion.
- Parthenolide attenuates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.
- Parthenolide modulates cerebral ischemia-induced microglial polarization and alleviates neuroinflammatory injury.
Cognitive
Parthenolide alleviates cognitive dysfunction and neurotoxicity.
Cystic Fibrosis
Parthenolide (from Feverfew) may down-regulate excessive inflammation in Cystic Fibrosis
Diabetes
- Parthenolide promotes renal tubules albumin uptake in type 2 diabetic nephropathy.
- Parthenolide, an NF-κB Inhibitor Ameliorates Diabetes-Induced Behavioural Deficit, Neurotransmitter Imbalance and Neuroinflammation in Type 2 Diabetes Rat Model.
Endometriosis
Parthenolide repressed endometriosis.
Gastrointestinal Effects
Hepatitis C
Parthenolide, a compound found within feverfew, exhibits anti-hepatitis C virus activity.
Hepatoprotective
- Parthenolide might be a candidate agent for preventing NAFLD due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative potency.
- Parthenolide plays a protective role in the liver of mice with metabolic dysfunction‑associated fatty liver disease.
Immune System Effects
- Parthenolide modulates immune response in cells from C57BL/6 mice induced with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
- Cytokine storm in COVID-19 and parthenolide: Preclinical evidence.
Kidney/Renal Disorders
- Parthenolide (a compound from Feverfew) prevent proteinura and renal lesions.
- Parthenolide attenuates sepsis-induced acute kidney injury.
Leishmaniasis
Feverfew contains the compound parthenolide which exhibits antileishmanial activity.
Neuroprotective
Spinal Cord Injury
Parthenolide promotes the repair of spinal cord injury.