Biochem/physiol Actions
Potent anticancer agent that induces cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase.
Xanthatin, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Xanthium plants (Asteraceae), is a potent anticancer agent that induces cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in hepatocellular carcinoma and colon cancer cells. Xanthatin induces apoptosis in numerous cancer cell lines including colon, breast, lung, cervix, and skin cancers, while apparently spearing human normal LO2 hepatocytes. It appears to activate endoplasmic reticulum stress through activation of the PERK/eIF-2α/ATF4 axis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Also, xanthatin exhibit potent phytotoxic activity, which suppressed root growth of receiver plants.