10-hydroxygambogic acid

Description

## 10-Hydroxygambogic Acid: A Promising Anti-Cancer Agent

10-Hydroxygambogic acid (10-HGA) is a natural compound extracted from the resin of the **garcinia hanburyi** tree, also known as **gamboge**. It's a **highly potent and selective anti-cancer agent** with significant potential in research.

**Here's what makes 10-HGA important for research:**

**1. Anti-Cancer Properties:**

* **Multiple Mechanisms of Action:** 10-HGA has shown remarkable activity against a wide range of cancer cell lines, including leukemia, lymphoma, lung, liver, colon, breast, and prostate cancers. It works through several pathways, including:
* **Induction of Apoptosis:** It triggers programmed cell death in cancer cells, effectively eliminating them.
* **Cell Cycle Arrest:** It inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells by halting the cell cycle at specific checkpoints.
* **Inhibition of Angiogenesis:** It prevents the formation of new blood vessels that supply nutrients to tumors, effectively starving them.
* **Anti-Metastatic Activity:** It can suppress the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body.
* **Selectivity and Low Toxicity:** 10-HGA exhibits selective toxicity, targeting cancer cells more effectively than normal cells, thus minimizing side effects.

**2. Research Potential:**

* **Novel Drug Development:** 10-HGA is being investigated as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of various cancers. Researchers are actively exploring its potential to be formulated into effective and safe drug therapies.
* **Combination Therapy:** 10-HGA shows synergistic effects when combined with other anticancer agents, enhancing their efficacy and offering better therapeutic outcomes.
* **Understanding Cancer Biology:** 10-HGA's mechanisms of action provide valuable insights into the complex pathways involved in cancer development and progression. This knowledge can lead to the development of new, targeted cancer therapies.

**3. Ongoing Research:**

* **Clinical Trials:** Several clinical trials are currently underway to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 10-HGA in humans with various cancer types.
* **Preclinical Studies:** Extensive preclinical research continues to explore 10-HGA's potential as a cancer therapeutic, including its pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and potential toxicity.

**Despite its promising potential, further research is needed to fully understand 10-HGA's effects and its potential for clinical application.** However, the current research data strongly suggest that 10-HGA holds significant promise as a potential anti-cancer agent and warrants continued investigation.

10-hydroxygambogic acid: metabolite of gambogic acid; structure in first source [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]