Synthesis and Biological Activity of Embelin and its Derivatives: An Overview
- 25 April 2020
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Bentham Science Publishers Ltd. in Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry
- Vol. 20 (5), 396-407
- https://doi.org/10.2174/1389557519666191015202723
Abstract
Embelin is a naturally occurring para-benzoquinone isolated from Embelia ribes (Burm. f.) of the Myrsinaceae family, and contains two carbonyl groups, a methylene group and two hydroxyl groups. With embelin as the lead compound, more than one hundred derivatives have been reported. Embelin is well known for its ability to antagonize the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) with an IC50 value of 4.1 µM. The potential of embelin and its derivatives in the treatment of various cancers has been extensively studied. In addition, these compounds display a variety of other biological effects: antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic and antifertility activity. This paper reviews the recent progress in the synthesis and biological activity of embelin and its derivatives. Their cellular mechanisms of action and prospects in the research and development of new drugs are also discussed.Keywords
Funding Information
- Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (2016A030310441)
- Wuyi University (2016td01)
- Jiangmen Project for Innovative Research Team (2018630100180019806)
- Department of Education of Guangdong Province (2016KCXTD005, 2017KSYS010)
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