Brazilian Myrtaceae Fruits: A Review of Anticancer Proprieties
Nayara Simas Frauches *
Nutritional Biochemistry Core, Laboratory of Food Function and Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro State, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Thuane Oliveira do Amaral
Nutritional Biochemistry Core, Laboratory of Food Function and Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro State, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Caroline Bekman Diniz Largueza
Nutritional Biochemistry Core, Laboratory of Food Function and Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro State, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Anderson Junger Teodoro
Nutritional Biochemistry Core, Laboratory of Food Function and Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro State, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The fruits belonging to Myrtaceae family are widely distributed throughout the Brazilian territory and are considered one of the most important families of the Brazilian flora, due to the high prevalence of species edible or used in traditional medicine. Medicinally, the fruits are reported to have antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antitumoral activity. Among these properties a lot of research has established that the dietary intake of this fruit has a positive and profound impact on human health and in chronic diseases. Evidences suggest that, rich diets with colored fruits, particularly belonging to Myrtaceae family, are highly chemoprotective because of their bioactive compounds. This review showed that the bioactive compounds presents in Myrtaceae fruits have anticancer properties and exhibit their chemoprevention effects, elucidating the importance of consuming these fruits.
Keywords: Myrtaceae family, cancer, anticancer properties, antioxidant, anthocyanins