Apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation of cancer cells induced by cordycepin (Review)

Tian,Xuewen; Li,Yujian; Shen,Yinyu; Li,Qiaoqiao; Wang,Qinglu; Feng,Lianshi

doi:10.3892/ol.2015.3273

Apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation of cancer cells induced by cordycepin (Review)

Authors:
- Xuewen Tian
- Yujian Li
- Yinyu Shen
- Qiaoqiao Li
- Qinglu Wang
- Lianshi Feng
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Affiliations: School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, P.R. China, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering and Technology of Shandong High School, Shandong Wanjie Medical College, Zibo, Shandong 255213, P.R. China
Published online on: May 27, 2015 https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2015.3273
Pages: 595-599

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Abstract

Cordycepin, a 3-deoxyadenosine, is the predominant functional component of the fungus Cordyceps militaris, a traditional Chinese medicine. Previous studies investigating the inhibition of cancer cells by cordycepin identified that it not only promotes cell apoptosis, but also controls cell proliferation. Furthermore, studies have elucidated the molecular mechanisms of inhibiting cell proliferation by cordycepin binding the A3 adenosine receptor, activating G protein, inhibiting cAMP formation, decreasing glycogen synthase kinase‑3β/β‑catenin activation and suppressing cyclin D1 and c‑myc expression. The most significant signaling pathway in which cell apoptosis is induced by cordycepin is the caspase pathway. Cordycepin induces cell apoptosis via binding the DR3 receptor and consequently activating caspase‑8/‑3. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that cordycepin may be used as a natural medicine, as it can not only control tumor cell proliferation, but also induce cancer cell apoptosis.

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