Antimicrobial and Anticancer Potential of Petiveria alliacea L. (Herb to Tame the Master): A Review

Pharmacognosy Reviews,2018,12,23,85-93.
Published:May 2018
Type:Review Article
Authors:
Author(s) affiliations:

João Paulo Bastos Silva1, Suellen Carolina Martins do Nascimento2, Daniele Hidemi Okabe2, Ana Carla Godinho Pinto2, Fábio Rodrigues de Oliveira3, Thiago Portal da Paixão4, Maria Lúcia Souza Siqueira1,5, Ana Cristina Baetas2,5, Marcieni Ataíde de Andrade2,5

1Neuroscience and Cell Biology Graduate Program, Federal University of Pará, 2Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program, Federal University of Pará, 4Pharmaceutical Innovation Graduate Program, Federal University of Pará, 5Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, 3Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Amapá, Macapá, Amapá, Brazil

Abstract:

Petiveria alliacea is a perennial Amazonian shrub used in traditional medicine for many purposes worldwide, including as antirheumatic, antispasmodic, antifungal, and analgesic for pain relief. Herein, this review aimed to provide a concise overview of the phytochemistry and antimicrobial, anticancer, and immunomodulatory properties reported in the literature for P. alliacea. The herb is rich in sulfur‑containing compounds that possess a broad‑spectrum of in vitro antimicrobial activity against pathogenic fungi and bacteria at low concentrations. P. alliacea also showed cytotoxicity and antiproliferative activity against cancer cell lines through sophisticated machinery of cellular damage in vitro. Other compounds such as flavonoids, terpenoids, and benzenoids are commonly identified in P. alliacea extracts, and they may also justify these activities. Despite the great pharmacological potential, clinical trials are required to ensure its effectiveness and safety. This review may raise new trends on the studies as well as contribute to the community by offering data for decision‑making with regard to its use in treating diseases.

Cite This Article

Vancouver Style ::
J. Paulo Bast Silva, Nascimento, S. Carolina M. , Okabe, D. Hidemi, Pinto, A. Carla Godi, de Oliveira, F. Rodrigues, da Paixão, T. Portal, Siqueira, M. Lúcia Sou, Baetas, A. Cristina, and de Andrade, M. Ataíde, Antimicrobial and Anticancer Potential of Petiveria alliacea L. (Herb to Tame the Master): A Review, Pharmacognosy Reviews, vol. 12, no. 23, pp. 85-93, 2018.