Anticancer mechanisms of action of Psidium guajava L. active principles

Abstract

Cancer is the name given to a group of more than 100 diseases that have in common the uncontrolled growth of cells that invade tissues and organs, and that no longer respond to external and internal stimuli that control proliferation, differentiation and cell death. It is the second leading cause of death in developed and developing countries, with a gradual increase in the number of cases highlighting the need for developing new chemotherapeutic agents. About 60% of anticancer drugs are derived from natural products, thus demonstrating the great potential of these products in research and development of new anticancer drugs. The Multidisciplinary Center for Chemical, Biological and Agricultural (CPQBA - Unicamp), has been studying the anticancer activity of extracts, fractions and active principles obtained from the leaves of Psidium guajava L. in several projects financed by FAPESP, which characterized the activity antiproliferative through in vivo and in vitro, which allowed the recording of a patent application. The current project will continue their studies with the species Psidium guajava L., which will be assessed anticancer mechanisms of action of the active compared with the mechanisms of action of tamoxifen chemotherapy through in vitro tests using strains dependent on estrogen. These cells have several parameters evaluated as induction of apoptosis and cell cycle phases among others. The antiproliferative activity of the active fraction, obtained after phytochemicals processes will be evaluated by testing in vivo through the use of oral route, because of the possible similarity of action between the active ingredients and tamoxifen. (AU)