Title:Naphthoquinone Derivatives Targeting Melanoma
Volume: 23
Issue: 30
Author(s): Jéssica Alves Nunes, Adrielle Firmino da Silva Nunes, Dimas José da Paz Lima and Edeildo Ferreira da Silva-Júnior*
Affiliation:
- Research Group on Biological and Molecular Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Federal University
of Alagoas, Lourival Melo Mota Avenue, AC, Simões Campus, 57072-970, Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
Keywords:
Natural products, Naphthoquinones, Anticancer activity, Melanoma, Drug design, Pharmacological properties.
Abstract: Cancer is responsible for high mortality rates worldwide, representing a serious health
problem. In this sense, melanoma corresponds to the most aggressive type of skin cancer, being the
cause of the highest death rates. Therapeutic strategies for the treatment of melanoma remain limited,
with problems associated with toxicity, serious side effects, and mechanisms of resistance. The
potential of natural products for the prevention and treatment of melanoma has been reported in different
studies. Among these compounds, naphthoquinones (1,2-naphthoquinones and 1,4-naphthoquinones)
stand out for their diverse pharmacological properties, including their antitumor activity.
Thus, this review covers different studies found in the literature on the application of natural naphthoquinones
targeting melanoma, providing information regarding the mechanisms of action investigated
for these compounds. Finally, we believe that this review provides a comprehensive basis
for the use of natural naphthoquinones against melanoma and that it may contribute to the discovery
of promising compounds, specifically naphthoquinones, aimed at the treatment of this cancer.
