Illustration showing tetrandrine helping chemotherapy drugs attack a cancer cell.

Tetrandrine: A Natural Way to Outsmart Cancer Drug Resistance?

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research explores how tetrandrine, a compound from a Chinese herb, could help make cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy."

Imagine cancer cells developing a 'shield' against the very drugs designed to destroy them. This is the reality of multidrug resistance (MDR), a frustrating obstacle in successful cancer treatment, especially in osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Researchers are constantly seeking ways to break through this resistance, and a promising area of study involves natural compounds that can help chemotherapy do its job more effectively.

One such compound is tetrandrine (TET), found in Stephania tetrandra, a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. Historically used for its anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive properties, tetrandrine is now being investigated for its potential to fight cancer. Recent studies suggest it might prevent cancer cells from becoming resistant to chemotherapy drugs, offering a new approach to cancer treatment.

A study published in the International Journal of Molecular Medicine dives into how tetrandrine can help overcome drug resistance in osteosarcoma cells. The research focuses on how tetrandrine affects P-glycoprotein (Pgp), a key player in MDR, and its relationship with NF-κB signaling, a pathway involved in inflammation and cancer. The findings could pave the way for more effective cancer treatments using natural compounds.

How Does Tetrandrine Tackle Drug Resistance?

Illustration showing tetrandrine helping chemotherapy drugs attack a cancer cell.

The study sheds light on tetrandrine's ability to prevent multidrug resistance by targeting P-glycoprotein (Pgp). Cancer cells often develop resistance by increasing the production of Pgp, which acts like a pump, expelling chemotherapy drugs out of the cell before they can do their job. Tetrandrine appears to interfere with this process, making cancer cells more vulnerable to treatment.

Researchers used the U-2OS osteosarcoma cell line to investigate how tetrandrine affects drug resistance. They treated cells with paclitaxel, a common chemotherapy drug, either alone or in combination with tetrandrine. Here's what they found:

Paclitaxel Alone: Cells treated with paclitaxel alone developed MDR and showed increased levels of Pgp.
Paclitaxel + Tetrandrine: Cells treated with both paclitaxel and tetrandrine remained sensitive to chemotherapy drugs and had lower levels of Pgp.

These results indicate that tetrandrine can prevent cancer cells from developing resistance to paclitaxel by reducing the levels of Pgp. This could mean that chemotherapy drugs are more effective at killing cancer cells when used in combination with tetrandrine.

The Future of Tetrandrine in Cancer Treatment

The study provides a compelling case for further research into tetrandrine as a potential tool in the fight against cancer drug resistance. By preventing the overproduction of Pgp, tetrandrine could help extend the effectiveness of chemotherapy and improve outcomes for patients with osteosarcoma and potentially other cancers. While more research is needed, tetrandrine offers a promising avenue for developing new and more effective cancer treatments.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.2895, Alternate LINK

Title: Tetrandrine Prevents Multidrug Resistance In The Osteosarcoma Cell Line, U-2Os, By Preventing Pgp Overexpression Through The Inhibition Of Nf-Κb Signaling

Subject: Genetics

Journal: International Journal of Molecular Medicine

Publisher: Spandidos Publications

Authors: Yandong Lu, Fangguo Li, Tao Xu, Jie Sun

Published: 2017-02-17

Everything You Need To Know

What is tetrandrine and where does it come from?

Tetrandrine (TET) is a compound derived from Stephania tetrandra, a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. It's being investigated for its potential to combat cancer, specifically by addressing drug resistance in cancer cells. Historically, it has been utilized for its anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive properties, but its potential in cancer treatment is a newer area of focus.

How does tetrandrine help in overcoming drug resistance in cancer cells?

Tetrandrine tackles drug resistance by targeting P-glycoprotein (Pgp). Pgp acts as a pump, expelling chemotherapy drugs from cancer cells, which is a major mechanism of multidrug resistance (MDR). Tetrandrine interferes with this process, preventing the overexpression of Pgp, thereby making cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy drugs like paclitaxel.

What is the role of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) in multidrug resistance (MDR)?

P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is a crucial factor in multidrug resistance (MDR). It functions as a pump that cancer cells use to expel chemotherapy drugs, preventing them from effectively killing the cancer cells. When cancer cells increase the production of Pgp, they become resistant to multiple chemotherapy drugs, making treatment challenging. Tetrandrine's ability to inhibit Pgp is key to its potential in overcoming MDR.

What were the key findings of the study involving tetrandrine and paclitaxel on osteosarcoma cells?

The study used U-2OS osteosarcoma cells and found that when treated with paclitaxel alone, the cells developed multidrug resistance (MDR) and showed increased levels of Pgp. However, when treated with both paclitaxel and tetrandrine, the cells remained sensitive to chemotherapy drugs and had lower levels of Pgp. This indicates that tetrandrine can prevent the development of drug resistance by reducing Pgp levels, making chemotherapy more effective.

What is the potential future of tetrandrine in cancer treatment, and what further research is needed?

Tetrandrine shows promise as a tool to combat cancer drug resistance, especially in osteosarcoma. By preventing the overproduction of Pgp, tetrandrine could enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and improve patient outcomes. While the study provides a strong foundation, more research is needed to fully understand tetrandrine's mechanisms and its efficacy across different cancer types. This includes clinical trials to assess its safety and effectiveness in humans, alongside further investigation into the NF-κB signaling pathway and its relationship with Pgp and cancer development.