PLANT-DERIVED NATURAL PRODUCTS TARGETING RHO GTPASES SIGNALLING NETWORKS FOR CANCER THERAPY: A REVIEW

Received 2023-02-07; Accepted 2023-03-25; Published 2023-06-06

Abstract

Rho GTPases are intracellular signalling molecules that involve in transducing extracellular stimuli to downstream effector of signalling pathways to elicit cellular functions. Changes in expression level of Rho GTPases and altered activities of GTPase regulators have been reported in a variety of human tumours. These modifications perturb actin cytoskeleton dynamics hence promote cancer cell development and progression. Available evidence suggests that targeting therapeutic targets in Rho GTPase signalling network may reduce the progression of cancer to metastasis stage. Pharmacological modulators of Rho GTPases have been investigated as promising chemotherapeutic intervention, which of these are natural products derived from plants. A brief overview of potential therapeutic compounds from selected plants followed by their roles in altering Rho GTPase signalling in cancer cells will be provided. There is increasing knowledge of newly discovered pharmacological modulators of Rho GTPase from natural sources to suppress cancer growth and metastasis. Future directions should emphasize on evaluating efficacies and appropriate therapeutic doses of the promising Rho GTPase modulators from plants to be used in animal models and clinical trials. Modern techniques should also be considered to improve anticancer drugs properties including increased bioavailability and localization to targeted sites.