Anticancer Potential of Physalis peruviana (Poha)

Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (Stat3) protein are critical factors that regulate tumor processes. Significantly, evidence suggests the association between NF-κB and Stat3 plays a key role in the mechanisms of how the two proteins promote cancer development and hence, regulates anti-tumor responses to therapy. In the context of the reported cross-talk between NF-κB and Stat3 in tumorigenesis, pStat3 promotes the nuclear accumulation of NF-κB RelA (p65). Consequently, inhibiting Stat3 activity was reported to suppress the nuclear levels of NF-κB RelA. Targeting the NF-κB and Stat3 signaling cross-talk is therefore a promising approach for anticancer therapeutics. The methanolic extract of the aerial parts of the whole plant of Physalis peruviana (Pp) showed inhibition of both the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced NF-κB activity and aberrantly-active Stat3 in human tumor cells. In the methanolic extract of Pp, four compounds, 1 – 4, were isolated. The structure of 2 was confirmed as new based on the α-orientation of the hydroxyl group located at C-20 using X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 1 – 4 exhibited inhibition of TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation with IC₅₀ values in the range of 0.38 – 31.2µM. The effects of compounds on Stat3 activity is presently been evaluated. Other isolates with anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities will be presented.