Anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic potential of caatinga plants

Objective: investigate the medicinal properties of Caatinga plants, focusing on their anti-inflammatory and anticancer capabilities, given the importance of chronic inflammation as a facilitator for cancer cell proliferation. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, covering articles published from 2004 to March 2023. Experimental studies evaluating the therapeutic potential of various Caatinga plant species were selected. Selection criteria included analysis of time/response of the anti-inflammatory effect, dose concentration, and percentage of inhibition. Additionally, antiproliferative properties were investigated in assays with fractions of plant extracts and/or lectins in various cancer cell lines. Results: Following the evaluation of established criteria, five plant species emerged as particularly promising in terms of anti-inflammatory effects: Myracrodruon urundeuva, Triplaris gardneriana, Annona vepretorum, Pilosocereus gounellei and Croton cordiifolius. Concurrently, seventeen studies were dedicated to investigating the anticancer potential of various plant species, with Cnidoscolus quercifolius, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia and Libidibia ferrea standing out. The most widely investigated cancer cell lines included HCT-116, SF-295, MCF-7, Sarcoma 180, and HL-60. Notably, M. urundeuva demonstrated superior inhibitory capacity against tumor cell viability, proliferation, and survival. Conclusions: This study highlighted the therapeutic potential of certain Caatinga plant species concerning chronic inflammation and cancer. Identifying these species and understanding their mechanisms of action may provide valuable insights for the development of new treatments. However, further research and clinical trials are needed to validate these findings and fully explore their therapeutic potential in human health.