HMGB1-targeting herbal medicinal plant extracts for the phytotherapy of cancer and potential management of COVID-19

A group of non-histone nuclear proteins with high electrophoretic mobility was discovered almost 40 years ago and referred to as high-mobility group (HMG) proteins. HMGB, HMGN, and HMGA are members of HMG families. HMGB has a family of three nuclear proteins including HMGB1, HMGB2, and HMGB3. HMGB1 is a DNA binding protein responsible for the maintenance of nucleosome structure and regulation of gene transcription. Recent studies suggest that HMGB1 has critical roles in DNA recombination, repair, replication, and gene transcription. This situation makes it a multifunctional protein involved in a variety of cellular biological processes. The unique features of HMGB1 allow it to be suggested as a novel target for cancer therapy and managing COVID-19 infection. However, there is still not any regulated drug by any authorities directly targeting HMGB1. The present study is aimed to systematically present the reported herbal medicinal plants and/or their active seconder metabolites to target HMGB1. First, the potential role of targeting HMGB1 on cancer therapy and COVID-19 management was discussed and then the reported herbal medicinal plants for this feature were presented. The active components for these medicinal plants were evaluated and their roles in cancer therapy and antiviral features besides targeting HMGB1 were discussed. Thus, a potential non-toxic phytotherapy solution primary intending to target HMGB1 and simultaneously to impact cell proliferation was suggested for supporting conventional cancer therapy. In addition, the well-known antiviral herbal medicinal plant extracts were considered whether they already include some components having features targeting HMGB1, or not. This critical point of view allowed us to suggest potential oral topical antiviral herbal solutions to be used in the management of COVID-19.