Halophyte Plants as Potential Sources of Anticancer Agents: A Comprehensive Review
Salt-tolerant plants (halophytes) are widely distributed worldwide in several environments such as coastal salt marshes, sand dunes, and inland deserts. To cope with the harsh conditions that characterize those habitats, which include high salinity and radiation levels, such plants have developed mo...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Pharmaceutics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/14/11/2406 |
| _version_ | 1797466830994931712 |
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| author | Luísa Custodio Pedro Garcia-Caparros Catarina Guerreiro Pereira Pedro Castelo-Branco |
| author_facet | Luísa Custodio Pedro Garcia-Caparros Catarina Guerreiro Pereira Pedro Castelo-Branco |
| author_sort | Luísa Custodio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Salt-tolerant plants (halophytes) are widely distributed worldwide in several environments such as coastal salt marshes, sand dunes, and inland deserts. To cope with the harsh conditions that characterize those habitats, which include high salinity and radiation levels, such plants have developed morphological and physiological traits, the latter including the synthesis and accumulation of important secondary metabolites such as alkaloids and polyphenols. While essential in maintaining plant homeostasis, these compounds are highly valued in the medical field for the treatment of several human diseases, including cancer. Cancer is one of the most life-threatening disorders worldwide, which accentuates the need to improve current cancer therapies and minimize potential adverse secondary side-effects. In this context, the pharmacological evaluation of natural compounds has attracted growing interest since nature has already provided some important anti-cancer drugs. This review compiles, for the first time, research regarding the anticancer activity of halophytes from different families, including, whenever possible, the bioactive molecules involved in such therapeutical properties along with possible mechanisms of action. The introduction section provides some pertinent information regarding cancer and a summary of the most important characteristics of halophytes. The next section gives information regarding the in vitro and in vivo cytotoxic properties of several halophyte species, grouped by families, including contents in bioactive metabolites and proposed modes of action, if possible. Lastly, the conclusion presents the most relevant metabolites and/or promising species and extracts that could be further explored in anticancer drug research. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:45:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9b8ff8c5a08a4ab3be5e42894c2882b9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4923 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:45:15Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharmaceutics |
| spelling | doaj.art-9b8ff8c5a08a4ab3be5e42894c2882b92023-11-24T06:21:45ZengMDPI AGPharmaceutics1999-49232022-11-011411240610.3390/pharmaceutics14112406Halophyte Plants as Potential Sources of Anticancer Agents: A Comprehensive ReviewLuísa Custodio0Pedro Garcia-Caparros1Catarina Guerreiro Pereira2Pedro Castelo-Branco3Centre of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Campus of Gambelas, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, PortugalAgronomy Department of Superior School Engineering, University of Almeria, 04120 Almería, SpainCentre of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Campus of Gambelas, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, PortugalFaculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMCB), Campus de Gambelas, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, PortugalSalt-tolerant plants (halophytes) are widely distributed worldwide in several environments such as coastal salt marshes, sand dunes, and inland deserts. To cope with the harsh conditions that characterize those habitats, which include high salinity and radiation levels, such plants have developed morphological and physiological traits, the latter including the synthesis and accumulation of important secondary metabolites such as alkaloids and polyphenols. While essential in maintaining plant homeostasis, these compounds are highly valued in the medical field for the treatment of several human diseases, including cancer. Cancer is one of the most life-threatening disorders worldwide, which accentuates the need to improve current cancer therapies and minimize potential adverse secondary side-effects. In this context, the pharmacological evaluation of natural compounds has attracted growing interest since nature has already provided some important anti-cancer drugs. This review compiles, for the first time, research regarding the anticancer activity of halophytes from different families, including, whenever possible, the bioactive molecules involved in such therapeutical properties along with possible mechanisms of action. The introduction section provides some pertinent information regarding cancer and a summary of the most important characteristics of halophytes. The next section gives information regarding the in vitro and in vivo cytotoxic properties of several halophyte species, grouped by families, including contents in bioactive metabolites and proposed modes of action, if possible. Lastly, the conclusion presents the most relevant metabolites and/or promising species and extracts that could be further explored in anticancer drug research.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/14/11/2406cancernatural productscytotoxicsalt-tolerant plantsantitumoral drugs |
| spellingShingle | Luísa Custodio Pedro Garcia-Caparros Catarina Guerreiro Pereira Pedro Castelo-Branco Halophyte Plants as Potential Sources of Anticancer Agents: A Comprehensive Review Pharmaceutics cancer natural products cytotoxic salt-tolerant plants antitumoral drugs |
| title | Halophyte Plants as Potential Sources of Anticancer Agents: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_full | Halophyte Plants as Potential Sources of Anticancer Agents: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_fullStr | Halophyte Plants as Potential Sources of Anticancer Agents: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Halophyte Plants as Potential Sources of Anticancer Agents: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_short | Halophyte Plants as Potential Sources of Anticancer Agents: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_sort | halophyte plants as potential sources of anticancer agents a comprehensive review |
| topic | cancer natural products cytotoxic salt-tolerant plants antitumoral drugs |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/14/11/2406 |
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