Cantharidin is an effective therapy for facial molluscum contagiosum lesions if applied by dermatologists who are experienced with its application, said Maria N.
Cantharidin (exo, exo-2, 3-dimethyl-7-oxobicyclo [2.2.1] heptane-2, 3-dicarboxylic acid anhydride) (structure in Fig.2), is extracted from the Chinese blister beetles.
Mechanistically,
cantharidin is a potent and selective inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)--a multimeric serine/threonine phosphatase that can dephosphorylate multiple kinases (8), and play crucial roles in the control of cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and cell fate (19).
It has been reported that norcantharidin, a biosynthesized demethylated
cantharidin, has anticancer effects by the regulation of M1 macrophage polarization via miR-214 expression [16].
Venenum Bufonis Asiatic toad Animals
Cantharidin Lytta caragana Pallas Huechys sanguinea Huechys sanguinea (De Geer) Arsenic Arsenic trioxide Arsenolite Arsenolite Arsenic stone Arsenic stone Minerals Rabiagar Arsenic disulfide Calomelas Mercurous chloride Hydrargyri oxydum Rubrum Hydrargyri oxydum Rubrum Mercury Mercury Table 3: Chinese medicines with HILI on animals.
Aidi injection, a traditional Chinese medicine, is an extraction obtained from
cantharidin, ginseng, astragalus, and acanthopanax, with effects such as heat-clearing, detoxification, and swelling reduction.
Moreover, the viability of human bladder cancer cells is reduced by using
cantharidin, a natural toxin, through the ER pathway [32].
Various local conventional therapies such as (cryotherapy, curettage, extraction, chemicals - cidofovir 2%, tretinoin,
cantharidin, trichloroacetic acid, 10% KOH (potassium hydroxide) has been tried for MC but they have resulted in unfavourable outcome.
Over-expression of cytochrome P450s in Helicoverpa armigera in response to bio- insecticide,
cantharidin. Int.
Transfer and distribution of
cantharidin within selected members of blister beetles (Coleoptera: Meloidae) and its probable importance in sexual behaviour.
Blister Beetle Dermatitis may be caused by different species of Beetles producing
cantharidin (Spanish fly used for aphrodsiac) used for treatment of warts and molluscum.
A doctor also can apply a chemical called
cantharidin to destroy the wart, or use liquid nitrogen to freeze it.