Sinomenine Applications in Cancer and Inflammatory Disorders

Sinomenine is a bioactive alkaloid derived from the Chinese medicinal plant Sinomenium acutum. Initially used to treat rheumatic arthritis, it has emerged as a versatile therapeutic candidate in oncology and immunology. In cancer models, sinomenine and its hydrochloride form have demonstrated antiproliferative, anti-metastatic and anti-angiogenic actions across breast, liver, lung and glioblastoma cell lines. These effects are mediated by modulation of cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis and inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In parallel, sinomenine exerts potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities by dampening proinflammatory cytokine release, inhibiting nuclear factor κB activation and attenuating oxidative stress. Recent derivative development and pharmacokinetic studies have sought to improve its bioavailability and target specificity, enhancing its translational potential. Together, these advances underline the global significance of sinomenine as a natural product with dual applications in mitigating tumour progression and controlling inflammatory disorders.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Sinomenine Applications in Cancer and Inflammatory Disorders publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in sinomenine applications in cancer and inflammatory disorders across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT): A process by which epithelial cells acquire motile mesenchymal features, facilitating tumour invasion and metastasis.

NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B): A transcription factor that regulates inflammatory cytokine production and cell survival.

PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway: A signalling cascade central to cell growth, proliferation and survival, frequently dysregulated in cancer.

MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase): A family of kinases involved in transmitting extracellular signals to control gene expression, cell division and stress responses.

JAK/STAT pathway: A kinase-mediated signalling route conveying extracellular cytokine signals to the nucleus, influencing immune function and cell proliferation.

Bioavailability: The proportion of an administered compound that reaches systemic circulation intact, a key determinant of therapeutic efficacy.

Pharmacokinetics (PK): The study of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs, informing dose selection and safety profiles.

References

1. Bioactivities and Mechanisms of Action of Sinomenine and Its Derivatives: A Comprehensive Review. Molecules (2024).
2. Investigation of preclinical pharmacokinetics of N-demethylsinomenine, a potential novel analgesic candidate, using an UPLC-MS/MS quantification method. Frontiers in Chemistry (2023).
3. Sinomenine hydrochloride inhibits breast cancer metastasis by attenuating inflammation-related epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stemness. Oncotarget (2017).
4. Vascular Normalization Induced by Sinomenine Hydrochloride Results in Suppressed Mammary Tumor Growth and Metastasis. Scientific Reports (2015).
5. Sinomenine Hydrochloride Inhibits the Metastasis of Human Glioblastoma Cells by Suppressing the Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2/-9 and Reversing the Endogenous and Exogenous Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2018).
6. Sinomenine Inhibits Migration and Invasion of Human Lung Cancer Cell through Downregulating Expression of miR-21 and MMPs. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2020).
7. Sinomenine Suppresses Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells via Inhibiting MARCH1 and AMPK/STAT3 Signaling Pathway. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences (2021).