Promising Nanomedicines of Shikonin for Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Chunmei Yan,1 Qiuxia Li,1 Qiang Sun,2 Lu Yang,3 Xing Liu,1 Yuxin Zhao,1 Mingyi Shi,4 Xiaofang Li,1 Kaipei Luo1 1State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 3Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 4School of Intelligent Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Xiaofang Li; Kaipei Luo, Department of Pharmaceutics of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1166 Liutai Avenue, Chengdu, 611130, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Malignant tumor, the leading cause of death worldwide, poses a serious threat to human health. For decades, natural product has been proven to be an essential source for novel anticancer drug discovery. Shikonin (SHK), a natural molecule separated from the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, shows great potential in anticancer therapy. However, its further clinical application is significantly restricted by poor bioavailability, adverse effects, and non-selective toxicity. With the development of nanotechnology, nano drug delivery systems have emerged as promising strategies to improve bioavailability and enhance the therapeutic efficacy of drugs. To overcome the shortcoming of SHK, various nano drug delivery systems such as liposomes, polymeric micelles, nanoparticles, nanogels, and nanoemulsions, were developed to achieve efficient delivery for enhanced antitumor effects. Herein, this review summarizes the anticancer pharmacological activities and pharmacokinetics of SHK. Additionally, the latest progress of SHK nanomedicines in cancer therapy is outlined, focusing on long circulation, tumor targeting ability, tumor microenvironment responsive drug release, and nanosystem-mediated combination therapy. Finally, the challenges and prospects of SHK nanomedicines in the future clinical application are spotlighted.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: shikonin, cancer therapy, pharmacokinetics, nanomedicine, drug delivery

Keywords

• shikonin
• cancer therapy
• pharmacokinetics
• nanomedicine
• drug delivery