Hemoglobin F (HbF) Inducers; History, Structure and Efficacies

Inherited beta-thalassemia is caused by irregular production of hemoglobin through reducing beta-globin chains. It has been observed that increasing fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production improves symptoms in the patients; thus, it has been an operative approach to treat patients with betathalassemia. This review represents compounds with biological activities and pharmacological properties that can be useful in promoting the HBF level in β-thalassemia patients. Various natural products with different mechanisms of action can be helpful in this medication cure. Clinical trials were efficient in improving the signs of patients. Association of in vivo, and in vitro studies of HbF induction and γ-globin mRNA growth displays that in vitro experiments could be an indicator of the in vivo response. The current study resulted that; (a) HbF inducers can be grouped into several classes based on their chemical structures and mechanism of actions; (b) According to several clinical trials, wellknown drugs such as hydroxyurea and decitabine are useful HbF inducers. (c) The cellular biosensor K562 carrying genes under the control of the human γ-globin and β-globin gene promoters were applied during the researches. (d) New natural products and lead compounds were found based on various studies as HbF inducers.