Oncogene signal transduction inhibitors from Chinese medicinal plants

Oncogene modulated signal transduction based on intracellular phosphorylati on of protein tyrosine or serine/threonine has been utilized as a target fo r oncogene-based anti-cancer drug discovery. Inhibition of protein-tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C directed prescreen has identified numerous pot ential anti-tumor Chinese medicinal plants. Further bioassay guided fractio nation and separation have led to the discovery of novel protein kinase inh ibitors, anthraquinones, stilbenes and polythiophenes as potential anti-tum or agents.