# Modulation of Tumor Metabolism in Acute Leukemia by Plant-Derived Polymolecular Drugs and Their Effects on Mitochondrial Function

**Authors:** Cindy Arévalo, Carolina Carlosama, Laura Rojas, Mónica P. Cala, Marie-Paule Hamon, Bertrand Friguet, Alfonso Barreto, Susana Fiorentino

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/molecules30081783 · Molecules · 2025-04-16

## TL;DR

This study explores how plant-derived drugs affect leukemia cell metabolism and mitochondria, showing potential for improving cancer treatment.

## Contribution

The study identifies Anamu-SC and Esperanza as promising mitocans that modulate tumor metabolism and enhance chemotherapy efficacy.

## Key findings

- Anamu-SC and Esperanza reduced tumor cell viability and showed antioxidant effects.
- Co-treatment with plant-derived drugs improved the effectiveness of cytarabine in leukemia cells.
- The drugs increased phosphatidylcholines and carnitines, indicating mitochondrial impact.

## Abstract

The analysis of tumor metabolism offers promising opportunities for developing new therapeutic strategies. Plant-derived polymolecular drugs can regulate cellular metabolism, making them potential candidates for treatment. This study examined the metabolic effects of plant-derived polymolecular drugs—P2Et, Anamu-SC, and Esperanza—on leukemic cell lines (lymphoid and myeloid types) and primary leukemic blasts. The metabolic analysis included oxidative status, glucose consumption, extracellular acidification, oxygen consumption, mitochondrial dynamics, and untargeted metabolomics. Additionally, the effect of co-treatment with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs was investigated. Results showed that P2Et and Anamu-SC reduced the viability and proliferation of all tumor cell lines, exhibiting antioxidant effects. Anamu-SC decreased reactive oxygen species levels in lymphoid tumor cells. Mitochondrial activity was selectively affected by the plant-derived polymolecular drugs, with Anamu-SC and Esperanza causing more significant, potentially reversible damage compared to P2Et. Anamu-SC and Esperanza increased levels of phosphatidylcholines and carnitines. The co-administration of plant-derived polymolecular drugs with chemotherapeutics improved the cytostatic efficacy of cytarabine. In conclusion, this research highlights the promising pharmacological activity of Anamu-SC and Esperanza as mitocans for the treatment of acute leukemia. The study emphasizes the practical significance of combining plant-derived polymolecular drugs with conventional chemotherapeutics to enhance their cytostatic efficacy.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** cytarabine (PubChem CID 6253)
- **Diseases:** acute leukemia (MONDO:0010643)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Acute Leukemia (MESH:D015470), Tumor (MESH:D009369), leukemic (MESH:D007938)

## Full text

_Full body text omitted from this summary view._ Fetch the complete paper as Markdown: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12029889/full.md

## Figures

1 figure with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12029889/full.md

## References

103 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12029889/full.md

---
Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12029889