Hyperforin, a new lead compound against the progression of cancer and leukemia?

Extracts of the plant St John’s wort, Hyperforin perforatum L.,have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, notablyfor the treatment of depression. One of their main lipophiliccomponents, a natural prenylated phloroglucinol termed hy-perforin (HF), has been identified as the major moleculeresponsible for the antidepressant effects of this plant. Withinthe last few years, a number of studies have demonstrated thatHF displays, in addition, several other biological properties ofpotential pharmacological interest. They include an antibacter-ial capacity and inhibitory effects on inflammatory mediators.It is worth noting that HF also promotes apoptosis ofvarious cancer cells from solid tumors and hematologicalmalignancies, including B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.In addition, HF inhibits the capacity of migration and invasionof different tumor cells, as well as exhibiting antiangiogeniceffects. Altogether, these properties qualify HF as a leadstructure for the development of new therapeutic moleculesin the treatment of various diseases, including somemalignant tumors.Leukemia (2006) 20, 1519–1525. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2404301;published online 22 June 2006Keywords: hyperforin; St John’s wort; cancer; apoptosis;angiogenesis