There are more than 200 Veratrum alkaloids that occur in plants of the genus Veratrum L. Hellebores have long been known as very poisonous plants.
Cyclopamine was the first discovered inhibitor of hedgehog signalling, which is currently considered as a key regulator in the embryonal period. There is a possibility that understanding of the role of the hedgehog signalling pathway in the pathogenesis of the tumour development will result in a progress in new treatment procedures.
The article summarizes informations about Veratrum alkaloids and their medicinal use.