Lung cancer refers to the changes in the lung tissue and cells that lead to
cancer growth due to gene mutations and cellular changes that result in uncontrollable
cell growth and division. However, the exact pathophysiology of lung cancer is not yet
fully understood. It is a significant cause of mortality worldwide and can be divided into two main types: small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer
(NSCLC). The specific subtypes of NSCLC are adenocarcinoma, large-cell carcinoma,
and squamous cell carcinoma. Risk factors for lung cancer include exposure to radon,
smoking, air pollution, and a family history of lung cancer. Symptoms may include
shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, and weight loss. Early detection and proper
treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and targeted therapy,
can improve the prognosis and survival rates. However, the deaths and the cases of
lung cancer are constantly rising. This increases the need for potential drug treatment
for lung cancer. Among the various available sources for identifying novel therapies for
multiple diseases, such as cancer, medicinal plants and plant-derived compounds play a
significant role. In addition, several studies revealed that Andrographis paniculata and
its derived compounds have shown various pharmacological effects, including anticancer effects. Recently, andrographolide and its structural analogs have also gained
attention in lung cancer due to their unique potential. Studies have shown that
andrographolide and its analogs can restrict the development of lung cancer cells via
the induction of apoptosis, a programmed cell death. They have also been shown to
target specific signaling pathways that play a role in the development and progression
of lung cancer, including the NF-kB and MAPK pathways. Additionally,
andrographolide and its analogs have been shown to exhibit low toxicity, making them
attractive as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of lung cancer. Additional
investigations are required to thoroughly understand these compounds' mechanisms of
action and potential clinical applications in lung cancer treatment. In summary,
andrographolide and its structural analogs have shown promising results in both in
vitro and in vivo studies as potential therapeutic agents for lung cancer treatment. Their
anti-cancer properties, including inhibition of cancer cell growth and induction of
apoptosis, make them of significant interest for further research.
Keywords: Analogs, Andrographolide, Current treatments, Lung cancer, Risk factors, Targets.