Costunolide and Dehydrocostus Lactone from Saussurea lappa in Cancer and Inflammatory Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Nanoformulation Strategies
- 1Department of Basic Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
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.
Related
- Thymoquinone and Its Nanoformulation for Dual Antiviral Therapy: Targeting Intracellular Viral Replication and Host Complications
- The Role of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETosis) in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Molecular Mechanisms, Pathogenic Roles, Diagnostic Biomarkers, and Emerging Therapeutic Strategies
- HDAC inhibitors in cancer therapy: sensitization mechanisms, combination strategies, and translational challenges
- Molecular and Translational Anti-Inflammatory Strategies After Abdominal and Liver Surgery: From Immunonutrition to Cell-Based Therapies
- Gut microbiota–mediated tryptophan metabolic dysregulation in the comorbidity of inflammatory bowel disease and autism spectrum disorder: mechanisms and research progress
BibTeX
@article{aloliqi2026costunolide,
title = {{Costunolide and Dehydrocostus Lactone from Saussurea lappa in Cancer and Inflammatory Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Nanoformulation Strategies}},
author = {Abdulaziz A. Aloliqi and Abdullah M. Alnuqaydan and Arif Khan and Masood Alam Khan},
journal = {Biomolecules},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3390/biom16111619},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/16/11/1619},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Costunolide and Dehydrocostus Lactone from Saussurea lappa in Cancer and Inflammatory Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Nanoformulation Strategies
AU - Abdulaziz A. Aloliqi
AU - Abdullah M. Alnuqaydan
AU - Arif Khan
AU - Masood Alam Khan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/06
JO - Biomolecules
DO - 10.3390/biom16111619
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/16/11/1619
AB - 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.
SN - 2218-273X
ER -