A critical review: anti-cancer effects of Brucea javanica and the mechanisms

As a widely used Traditional Chinese Medicine in China, the extract of Brucea javanica has a variety of pharmacological effects, especially has been shown to have potent anti-cancer effects. Studies have found that Brucea javanica can play an anti-cancer role by inhibiting tumor cell growth, affecting tumor cell apoptosis, autophagy, migration and invasion processes, and activating immunity. In this paper, we summarize the anti-cancer effects and mechanisms of Brucea javanica, including NF-κB, phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT), p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Wnt/β-catenin, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathways. We discuss Brucea javanica in combination with other anti-cancer drugs to enhance anticancer effects or mitigate adverse effects. The inhibitory effect of Brucea javanica on tumor cell lines is also summarized. The anti-cancer material basis and toxic components of BJO are discussed here. These data suggest that Brucea javanica is a promising anti-tumor reagent which is expected to open a broader application market.