Chemokines can induce chemotactic cell migration by interacting with G protein-coupled receptors to play a significant regulatory role in the development of cancer. CXC chemokine-12 (CXCL12) can specifically bind to CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and is closely associated with the progression of cancer via multiple signaling pathways. Over recent years, many CXCR4 antagonists have been tested in clinical trials; however, Plerixafor (AMD3100) is the only drug that has been approved for marketing thus far. In this review, we first summarize the mechanisms that mediate the physiological effects of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis. Then, we describe the use of CXCL12/CXCR4 antagonists. Finally, we discuss the use of nano-based drug delivery systems that exert action on the CXCL12/CXCR4 biological axis.

Toona sinensis (A. Juss.) Roem is an edible medicinal plant that belongs to the genus Toona within the Meliaceae family. It has been confirmed to display a wide variety of biological activities. During our continuous search for active constituents from the seeds of T. sinensis, two new acyclic diterpenoids (1–2), together with five known limonoid-type triterpenoids (3–7), five known apotirucallane-type triterpenoids (8–12), and three known cycloartane-type triterpenoids (13–15), were isolated and characterized. Their structures were identified based on extensive spectroscopic experiments, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectra (HR-ESI-MS), and electronic circular dichroism (ECD), as well as the comparison with those reported in the literature. We compared these findings to those reported in the literature. Compounds 5, 8, and 13–14 were isolated from the genus Toona, and compounds 11 and 15 were obtained from T. sinensis for the first time. The antidiabetic nephropathy effects of isolated compounds against high glucose-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in rat glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) were assessed in vitro. The results showed that new compounds 1 and 2 could significantly increase the levels of Nrf-2/HO-1 and reduce the levels of NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-6 at concentrations of 30 μM. These results suggest that compounds 1 and 2 might prevent the occurrence and development of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and facilitate the research and development of new antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drugs suitable for the prevention and treatment of DN.