Pathways Related To The Anti-Cancer Effects Of Metabolites Derived From Cerrado Biome Native Plants: An Update And Bioinformatics Analysis On Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: Oral cancer is a significant health problem worldwide. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a malignant neoplasm of epithelial cells that mostly affects different anatomi -cal sites in the head and neck and derives from the squamous epithelium or displays similar mor-phological characteristics. Generally, OSCC is often the end stage of several changes in the strati-fied squamous epithelium, which begin as epithelial dysplasia and progress by breaking the base -ment membrane and invading adjacent tissues. Several plant-based drugs with potent anti-cancer ef-fects are considered inexpensive treatments with limited side effects for cancer and other diseases. Objective: The aim of this review is to explore whether some Brazilian plant extracts or con-stituents exhibit anti-tumorigenic activity or have a cytotoxic effect on human oral carcinoma cells. Methods: Briefly, OSCC and several metabolites derived from Brazilian plants (i.e., flavonoids, vinblastine, irinotecan, etoposide and paclitaxel) were used as keywords to search the literature on PubMed, GenBank and GeneCards. Results: The results showed that these five chemical compounds found in Cerrado Biome plants ex-hibit anti-neoplastic effects. Evaluating the compounds revealed that they play a main role in the regulation of cell proliferation. Conclusion: Preserving and utilising the biodiversity of our planet, especially in unique ecosys-tems, such as the Cerrado Biome, may prove essential to preserving and promoting human health in modern contexts.