Frontiers in Pharmacology (Nov 2023)

The anti-leukemia activity and mechanisms of shikonin: a mini review

  • Han Dong,
  • Chun-Di Chang,
  • Fei Gao,
  • Na Zhang,
  • Xing-Jian Yan,
  • Xue Wu,
  • Yue-Hui Wang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1271252
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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Leukemia encompasses a group of highly heterogeneous diseases that pose a serious threat to human health. The long-term outcome of patients with leukemia still needs to be improved and new effective therapeutic strategies continue to be an unmet clinical need. Shikonin (SHK) is a naphthoquinone derivative that shows multiple biological function includes anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic effects. Numerous studies have reported the anti-leukemia activity of SHK during the last 3 decades and there are studies showing that SHK is particularly effective towards various leukemia cells compared to solid tumors. In this review, we will discuss the anti-leukemia effect of SHK and summarize the underlying mechanisms. Therefore, SHK may be a promising agent to be developed as an anti-leukemia drug.

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