{
  "abstract": "Saussurea lappa is a medicinal plant rich in sesquiterpene lactones, particularly costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone. These compounds have attracted interest in their potential applications in cancer and inflammatory diseases. This review examines their molecular actions, critically evaluates the available preclinical evidence, and discusses emerging nanoformulation approaches. Studies suggest that these compounds influence NF-κB, NLRP3, STAT3, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, p53, and MAPK signaling, with associated effects on inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis. However, direct molecular targets have been established for only selected mechanisms, and most therapeutic findings remain preclinical. Poor aqueous solubility and limited pharmacokinetic information further complicate their development. Nanoformulation offers a possible approach to improving delivery, with costunolide-loaded bilosomes showing greater cellular activity than the free compound. Nevertheless, evidence of improved systemic exposure and therapeutic efficacy in vivo remains limited. Human studies have mainly examined botanical preparations rather than purified compounds. By bringing together molecular mechanisms, disease-specific evidence, and delivery strategies, this review identifies the main challenges and research priorities for developing costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone as potential therapeutic agents.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Basic Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 4,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Abdulaziz A. Aloliqi",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-7108-0541"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Abdullah M. Alnuqaydan",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-9306-609X"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Arif Khan",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-4528-2668"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Masood Alam Khan",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-4031-4189"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/56km9gek0ca6c.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/biom16111619",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "56km9gek0ca6c",
  "issns": [
    "2218-273X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/16/11/1619",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-11-06",
  "publisher": "MDPI AG",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/56km9gek0ca6c.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-10T00:21:28Z",
      "native_id": "10.3390/biom16111619",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/16/11/1619"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biochemistry",
      "origin": "issn:2218-273X",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Costunolide and Dehydrocostus Lactone from Saussurea lappa in Cancer and Inflammatory Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Nanoformulation Strategies",
  "title_text": "Costunolide and Dehydrocostus Lactone from Saussurea lappa in Cancer and Inflammatory Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Nanoformulation Strategies",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-10T00:21:28Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/56km9gek0ca6c",
  "venue": "Biomolecules",
  "versions": []
}