Sanguinarine is a quaternary ammonium benzophenanthine alkaloid found in traditional herbs such as Chelidonium, Corydalis, Sanguinarum, and Borovula. It has been proven to possess broad-spectrum biological activities, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiosteoporosis, neuroprotective, and antipathogenic microorganism activities. In this paper, recent progress on the biological activity and mechanism of action of sanguinarine and its derivatives over the past ten years is reviewed. The results showed that the biological activities of hematarginine and its derivatives are related mainly to the JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, NF-κB, TGF-β, MAPK and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. The limitations of using sanguinarine in clinical application are also discussed, and the research prospects of this subject are outlined. In general, sanguinarine, a natural medicine, has many pharmacological effects, but its toxicity and safety in clinical application still need to be further studied. This review provides useful information for the development of sanguinarine-based bioactive agents.

Sinomenine, an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from the roots and stems of Sinomenium acutum, has been extensively studied for its derivatives as bioactive agents. This review concentrates on the research advancements in the biological activities and action mechanisms of sinomenine-related compounds until November 2023. The findings indicate a broad spectrum of pharmacological effects, including antitumor, anti-inflammation, neuroprotection, and immunosuppressive properties. These compounds are notably effective against breast, lung, liver, and prostate cancers, exhibiting IC₅₀ values of approximately 121.4 nM against PC-3 and DU-145 cells, primarily through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR, NF-κB, MAPK, and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. Additionally, they manifest anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects predominantly via the NF-κB, MAPK, and Nrf2 signaling pathways. Utilized in treating rheumatic arthritis, these alkaloids also play a significant role in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, as well as organ protection through the NF-κB, Nrf2, MAPK, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. This review concludes with perspectives and insights on this topic, highlighting the potential of sinomenine-related compounds in clinical applications and the development of medications derived from natural products.

Securinega alkaloids are indolizidine alkaloids extracted from the leaf and root of an Asian plant, Securinega suffruticosa. Since its discovery in 1956 by Russian scientists, numerous studies have been conducted on securinega alkaloids and their derivatives as bioactive agents. In this review, published work on the bioactivities and the mechanism of action of securinega alkaloids and their derivatives is addressed. References were obtained through for example, the Web of Science, Science Direct, Pubmed and Google Scholar. Research into the synthesis of securinega alkaloids and their derivatives lacking activity assessment has been excluded. Comprehensive reviews show that securinega alkaloids and their derivatives exhibit a wide range of activities among which antineoplastic activity and nervous system related activity were reported although the mechanisms of action remain in part unknown. The other activities such as induction of differentiation, reversal of multi-drug resistance, cardiovascular system related activity, anti-inflammatory, adjuvant agent and anti-pathogenic activity are also reviewed. We found that modification at the C12, C14, and C15 sites on securinine improves the antitumor activity, while derivatives in which a bivalent mimetic is linked to the C15 site is beneficial for differentiation induction activity and reversal of P-glycoprotein mediated drug resistance. The most related pathways involved in the bioactivity of securinega alkaloids and their derivatives are JAK/STAT, PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK. A perspective and expectation concerning the research of securinega alkaloids is presented at the end of this article. This review indicates directions around which constant endeavor could be valuable for researchers in the near future.

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant widely utilized in folk medicine due to its significant pharmacological and nutritional properties. Cajaninstilbene acid (CSA), a stilbene compound derived from pigeon pea leaves, has been extensively investigated since the 1980s. A thorough understanding of CSA’s mechanisms of action and its therapeutic effects on various diseases is crucial for developing novel therapeutic approaches. This paper presents an overview of recent research advancements concerning the biological activities and mechanisms of CSA and its derivatives up to February 2024. The review encompasses discussions on the in vivo metabolism of CSA and its derivatives, including antipathogenic micro-organisms activity, anti-tumor activity, systematic and organ protection activity (such as bone protection, cardiovascular protection, neuroprotection), anti-inflammatory activity, antioxidant activity, immune regulation as well as action mechanism of CSA and its derivatives. The most studied activities are antipathogenic micro-organisms activities. Additionally, the structure–activity relationships of CSA and its derivatives as well as the total synthesis of CSA are explored, highlighting the potential for developing new pharmaceutical agents. This review aims to provide a foundation for future clinical applications of CSA and its derivatives.