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Bioactives derived from Brazilian native flora with antimicrobial and anticancer activity.
Daniele Cristina Vitorelli-Venancio1,2, Rosemary Matias3, Amanda Rodrigues Ganassin3
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
|March 12, 2025
Summary
This study highlights the potential of Brazilian Cerrado plants, Tapiria obtusa and Smilax fluminensis, as natural sources for new drugs. Extracts showed significant antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antimicrobial activities against resistant pathogens and cancer cells.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Natural Products
Background:
- Urgent need for novel therapeutics against multidrug-resistant microbes and cancers.
- Limited efficacy and high mortality rates associated with current treatments.
- Exploration of Brazilian Cerrado flora for bioactive compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate phytochemical profiles of seven Brazilian Cerrado plants.
- Assess antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antimicrobial properties of plant extracts.
- Identify potential therapeutic agents for oncological and infectious diseases.
Main Methods:
- Plant extracts prepared via maceration; phytochemical analysis conducted.
- Antioxidant activity measured using DPPH assay.
- Antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects assessed on human cancer and non-tumor cell lines.
- Antimicrobial activity determined by disk diffusion and broth microdilution (MIC).
Main Results:
- All extracts contained phenolic compounds, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, and saponins.
- Tapiria obtusa extract exhibited potent antioxidant (82.36%) and selective antiproliferative activity against renal cancer cells (GI50 10.16 µg/mL).
- Smilax fluminensis demonstrated fungicidal activity against Candida glabrata (MIC 500 µg/mL), and T. obtusa showed antibacterial activity against MRSA (MIC 1,000 µg/mL).
Conclusions:
- Ethanolic extract of T. obtusa possesses significant antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antibacterial properties.
- Ethanolic extract of S. fluminensis leaves shows fungicidal effects.
- These findings suggest potential for developing novel, safer treatments for cancer and infectious diseases.
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