Strategies for Increasing the Solubility and Bioavailability of Anticancer Compounds: β-Lapachone and Other Naphthoquinones

Title:Strategies for Increasing the Solubility and Bioavailability of Anticancer Compounds: β-Lapachone and Other Naphthoquinones

Volume: 22 Issue: 39

Author(s): Vitor Francisco Ferreira, Caroline Deckmann Nicoletti, Patricia Garcia Ferreira, Debor Omena Futuro and Fernando de Carvalho da Silva

Affiliation:

Keywords: Anticancer compounds, β-lapachone, naphthoquinones, controlled-release systems, formulations

Abstract: Quinones are among the most studied natural and synthetic products in the literature because they have considerable biological potential. These compounds exhibit activity against many microorganisms and are able to eliminate tumor cells through several mechanisms of action. Some of these compounds have become drugs that are used clinically. However, they also have problems with respect to solubility, stability and toxicity. The alternative of using controlled-release systems has been applied to quinones, with good results in some cases, indicating that these formulations may be a strategy for improving the pharmacological profile of this class of compounds.

Cite this article as:

Ferreira Francisco Vitor, Nicoletti Deckmann Caroline, Ferreira Garcia Patricia, Futuro Omena Debor and da Silva de Carvalho Fernando, Strategies for Increasing the Solubility and Bioavailability of Anticancer Compounds: β-Lapachone and Other Naphthoquinones, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2016; 22(39) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612822666160611012532