Molecular modulators of celastrol as the keystones for its diverse pharmacological activities

• Main Authors: Sin Wi Ng, Yinghan Chan, Dinesh Kumar Chellappan, Thiagarajan Madheswaran, Farrukh Zeeshan, Yik Lung Chan, Trudi Collet, Gaurav Gupta, Brian G. Oliver, Peter Wark, Nicole Hansbro, Alan Hsu, Philip Michael Hansbro, Kamal Dua, Jithendra Panneerselvam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019-01-01
• Series: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy
• Subjects: Celastrol; Molecular modulators; Anti-cancer; Anti-inflammatory; Anti-obesity; Neuroprotective
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332218369506

In the recent years, much attention has been focused on identifying bioactive compounds from medicinal plants that could be employed in therapeutics, which is attributed to their potent pharmacological actions and better toxicological profile. One such example that has come into the light with considerable interest is the pentacyclic triterpenoid, celastrol, which has been found to provide substantial therapeutic properties in a variety of diseases. In an effort to further accelerate its potential to be utilized in clinical practice in the future; along with advancing technologies in the field of drug discovery and development, different researchers have been investigating on the various mechanisms and immunological targets of celastrol that underlie its broad spectrum of pharmacological properties. In this review, we have collated the various research findings related to the molecular modulators responsible for different pharmacological activities shown by celastrol. Our review will be of interest to the herbal, biological, molecular scientist and by providing a quick snapshot about celastrol giving a new direction in the area of herbal drug discovery and development.