Anti-Lung-Cancer Activity and Liposome-Based Delivery Systems ofβ-Elemene

Abstract

In the past decade,β-elemene played an important role in enhancing the effects of many anticancer drugs and was widely used in the treatment of different kinds of malignancies and in reducing the side effects of chemotherapy. Further study showed that it is also a promising anti-lung cancer drug. However, the clinical application ofβ-elemene was limited by its hydrophobic property, poor stability, and low bioavailability. With the development of new excipients and novel technologies, plenty of novel formulations ofβ-elemene have improved dramatically, which provide a positive perspective in terms of clinical application forβ-elemene. Liposome as a drug delivery system shows great advantages over traditional formulations forβ-elemene. In this paper, we summarize the advanced progress being made in anti-lung cancer activity and the new liposomes delivery systems ofβ-elemene. This advancement is expected to improve the level of pharmacy research and provide a stronger scientific foundation for further study onβ-elemene.