Multi-drug resistance (MDR) of cancer cells severely limits therapeutic outcomes. A proposed mechanism for MDR involves the efflux of anti-cancer drugs from cancer cells, primarily mediated by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) membrane transporters including P-glycoprotein. This article reviews the recent progress of using active ingredients, extracts and formulae from Chinese medicine (CM) in circumventing ABC transporters-mediated MDR. Among the ABC transporters, Pgp is the most extensively studied for its role in MDR reversal effects. While other MDR reversal mechanisms remain unclear, Pgp inhibition is a criterion for further mechanistic study. More mechanistic studies are needed to fully establish the pharmacological effects of potential MDR reversing agents.
CONCLUSION
As some CM active ingredients reverse MDR by directly inhibiting growth and inducing apoptosis in cancer cells, the Pgp-inhibiting CM active ingredients may also becytotoxic to cancer cells. Future studies should explore not only the MDR reversal effects but also the cytotoxic effects of various CM active ingredients