Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Abstract: Genkwa flos is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, which exhibits abundant biological activities such as antiinflammatory, analgesic, immunoregulatory activities and anti-rheumatic arthritis activity. Recent pharmacological studies showed that Genkwa flos might also have the antitumor effect. Daphnane-type diterpenoids (DDs) are one of the main anti-tumor constitutions in Genkwa flos. However, the underlying anticancer molecular mechanisms of this type of compounds are still unclear. This review aims to give a systematic summary of DDs from Genkwa flos to better understand the anti-tumor activitiy by focusing on cell arrest, apoptosis, topoisomerase inhibition, melanin inhibition and the reverse of multi-drug-resistance (MDR). In addition, we are also going to make an overview of the mechanisms identified up to now. The significant findings may provide that DDs in Genkwa flos is a promising targeted-cancer agent.

Key words: daphnane-type diterpenoids, Genkwa flos, anti-tumor