Realgar (α-AsS) Treats Myelodysplastic Syndromes through Reducing DNA Hypermethylation.

Miao Zhang, Jia-Yi Zhang, Ming-Qian Sun, Peng Lu, Jian-Xun Liu

Journal: Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2022;28(3):281-288

PMID: 32418175

Abstract

DNA hypermethylation is an epigenetic modification that plays a critical role in the oncogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Aberrant DNA methylation represses the transcription of promotors of tumor suppressor genes, inducing gene silencing. Realgar (α-AsS) is a traditional medicine used for the treatment of various diseases in the ancient time. Realgar was reported to have efficacy for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). It has been demonstrated that realgar could efficiently reduce DNA hypermethylation of MDS. This review discusses the mechanisms of realgar on inhibiting DNA hypermethylation of MDS, as well as the species and metabolisms of arsenic in vivo.

Address: Research Center, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Beijing Key Lab of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacology, Beijing, 100091, China.; Education Sector, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China.; Medical Administration Division, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China.; Research Center, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Beijing Key Lab of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacology, Beijing, 100091, China. [email protected].

DOI: 10.1007/s11655-020-3263-8