Aglaia foveolata

Asian mahogany, Meliaceae, tropical tree species in Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia. The bark contains silvestrol with anticancerogenic and antiviral activity: potent inhibitor of Ebola virus and Zika virus replication. Silvestrol regulates G2/M checkpoint gene independently of p53 activity. Inhibition of the cellular enzyme elF4A. However, Ebolaviruses are dependent on this enzyme. Studies show good efficacy without toxic effects on human cells. Additional anticancerogenic effect described.

In melanoma cells, silvestrol inhibits cell growth and leads to cell death in human melanoma cells by inducing autophagy and apoptosis. Silvestrol could also be suitable for the treatment of colon cancer as shown by a Würzburg study in cell cultures and in animal experiments.

1. Mi Q, Kim S et al (2006) Silvestrol regulates G2/M checkpoint genes independent of p53 activity. Anticancer Res. 26:3349-3356
2. Biedenkopf N et al. (2017) The natural compound silvestrol is a potent inhibitor of Ebola virus replication. Antiviral Res. 137: 76-81
3. Kim S et al (2007) Silvestrol, a potential anticancer rocaglate derivative from Aglaia foveolata, induces apoptosis in LNCaP cells through the mitochondrial/apoptosome pathway without activation of executioner caspase-3 or -7. Anticancer Res.;27(4B):2175-2183.
4. Chen WL et al- (2016) Silvestrol induces early autophagy and apoptosis in human melanoma cells. BMC Cancer.13;16:17 -1040
5. Wiegering A et al (2015) Targeting translation initiation bypasses signaling crosstalk mechanisms that maintain high MYC levels in colorectal cancer. Cancer Discovery, DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-14-1040.