1: Curr Med Chem Anti-Canc Agents. 2005 Mar;5(2):173-82. 

Cytotoxic and antitumor potentialities of aporphinoid alkaloids.

Stevigny C, Bailly C, Quetin-Leclercq J.

Unite d'Analyse Chimique et Physico-Chimique des Medicaments, Universite
Catholique de Louvain, UCL 72.30-CHAM, Av. E. Mounier 72, 1200 Bruxelles,
Belgium.

Aporphinoids form an important group of plant secondary metabolites. Some of
these compounds are used for a long time in traditional medicine for the
treatment of various diseases, from benign syndromes to more severe illnesses.
More than 500 aporphine alkaloids have been isolated from various plant families
and many of these compounds display potent cytotoxic activities which may be
exploited for the design of anticancer agents. Here we review the origin,
biosynthesis, structure and cytotoxic properties of the prominent members of
this class of compounds. Simple aporphinoids (boldine, dicentrine) as well as
oxo-, pro- and dehydro-aporphines, and dimeric forms such as thalicarpine, are
discussed here. Their mechanisms of action are not well known but
DNA-manipulating enzymes such as polymerases and topoisomerases are among the
most frequently cited targets for these benzylisoquinoline compounds. This
review presents an updated view of the cytotoxic properties of the aporphinoids
and their potential contribution to the development of anticancer agents.

PMID: 15777224 [PubMed - in process]