Antiproliferative and cytotoxic potential found in Myrcia DC. Gabriela Marchi Rodrigues, Hayane Caroline Clerigo, Mychele Frances, Mara Angelina Galvão Magenta

Abstract

Cancer is one of the most serious and fatal diseases affecting the human population. Treatments for this disease are generally aggressive and often cause collateral damage, which increases the importance of research into effective alternative treatments. One of the possibilities investigated is the use of medicinal plants. The botanical family Myrtaceae, distributed throughout Brazil, is well known for its pharmacological properties, and the use of its extracts can represent an effective measure in the fight against diseases. We compiled information on species of the genus Myrcia, found in Brazil and with antiproliferative activities, highlighting the types of cancer against which they are most effective, aiming at the possible development of research into less invasive treatments and medications. Nine species with antiproliferative activities were found in the literature, acting against 11 types of neoplasms. M. selloi had the highest number of citations, acting against eight types. In general, the most cited neoplasms were melanoma (6), stomach (4), followed by breast (3) and colon (3) neoplasms. Most of the Myrcia species listed in this study are arboreal and are found in the North and Central-West Regions, both containing nine species cited in this study.