Re-Purposing Evodiamine as an Anti-Cancer Drug: Effects on Migration and Apoptosis

Volume 1 - Issue 3

Tomas Koltai*

Received: March 27, 2018;   Published: April 05, 2018

DOI: 10.32474/OAJOM.2018.01.000111

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Abstract

Introduction: Evodiamine is a quinolone alkaloid compound obtained from a fruit described in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been in use for many centuries for the treatment of headaches, menstrual problems, abdominal pain and other ailments. In the western world, it is known as a controversial weight loss product and is sold over the counter as a nutritional supplement. Many freely sold weight loss products contain evodiamine associated with other supposed weight control chemicals. Even though there are no reliable statistics, we may presume that thousands of persons have been using it without serious side effects being reported.

Background: At the beginning of this century researchers found that this compound had anti-cancer effects: cytotoxicity and decreased invasion and migration in vitro in malignant cells while showing minimal damage to normal cells. Little has been investigated about in vivo effects on cancer. There is a lack of information regarding the possibility of achieving the clinical concentrations needed for tumour cytotoxicity and for inhibiting migration.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to determine the feasibility of re-purposing evodiamine as an anti-cancer drug. For this, we investigated:

a. the possibility of achieving the cytotoxic concentrations of the drug required at tumor level in the clinical setting;

b. the molecular mechanisms responsible for the anti-cancer effects;

c. which types of tumours can be treated;

d. its interrelation with other chemotherapeutics;

e. Interrelation of evodiamine with berberine in anti-cancer effects.

Material and Methods: Due to the abundance of published research on evodiamine, many of the objectives could be accomplished by reviewing the literature, introducing a systematic search, and organizing the findings.

Results: The necessary concentrations to achieve possible clinical results may be reached through oral administration. This concept applies mainly to inhibition of migration, that requires a low concentration. The cytotoxic effects need higher concentrations that are not easily attainable with standard preparations. An association with berberine, a non-toxic compound, increases evodiamine’s cytotoxicity. Almost all malignancies, whether solid or hematologic, are affected by evodiamine in a dose dependent manner. Evodiamine may also complement the activity of other chemotherapeutics like campthotecin, taxanes, doxoubicin and probably radiotherapy as well.

Conclusion: Evodiamine should be tested in humans to establish the achievable plasma concentrations, because all the published pharmacodynamic reports were based on tests on rodents. Whether alone or associated with berberine, evodiamine,deserves to be tested in well designed clinical trials for the treatment of cancer and prevention of metastasis.

Keywords: Evodiamine; Cancer; Apoptosis; Migration; Metastasis; Berberine

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