Chemical Composition and Anticancer Activity of Essential Oils from Cyperaceae Species: A Comprehensive Review
Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and the currently available therapies are often associated with severe side effects, including nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity. In this context, essential oils (EOs) have stood out as a less toxic natural alternative, wit...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| author | José Jailson Lima Bezerra Anderson Angel Vieira Pinheiro Antônio Fernando Morais de Oliveira |
| author_facet | José Jailson Lima Bezerra Anderson Angel Vieira Pinheiro Antônio Fernando Morais de Oliveira |
| author_sort | José Jailson Lima Bezerra |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and the currently available therapies are often associated with severe side effects, including nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity. In this context, essential oils (EOs) have stood out as a less toxic natural alternative, with their anticancer potential widely investigated in in vitro and in vivo studies. The present study aimed to review, for the first time, the chemical composition, anticancer potential, and biological safety of EOs extracted from species of the Cyperaceae family. Research was conducted in different databases, covering publications from the first report on the topic in 1989 to November 2024. This review highlights 33 Cyperaceae species known to produce essential oils, with sesquiterpenes (67%) identified as the predominant compounds. The notable compounds across multiple species include cyperene, cyperotundone, caryophyllene oxide, and mustakone. Regarding the pharmacological potential, the EOs of <i>Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus kyllingia,</i> and <i>Cyperus longus</i> exhibited high cytotoxic activity against the HCT-116, HepG2, MCF-7, HeLa, and NCI-H187 cell lines. The mechanisms of action associated with the anticancer effect of EOs include DNA fragmentation, cell cycle arrest, and induction of apoptosis. Acute toxicity reports indicate that only the EOs of <i>Cyperus articulatus</i> have been evaluated in rodents and deemed biologically safe. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f9e9ce5bc74b4f95a216a6e539d5947c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0036-8709 2218-0532 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-f9e9ce5bc74b4f95a216a6e539d5947c2025-08-20T03:44:04ZengMDPI AGScientia Pharmaceutica0036-87092218-05322025-02-01931910.3390/scipharm93010009Chemical Composition and Anticancer Activity of Essential Oils from Cyperaceae Species: A Comprehensive ReviewJosé Jailson Lima Bezerra0Anderson Angel Vieira Pinheiro1Antônio Fernando Morais de Oliveira2Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-420, BrazilCentro de Formação de Professores, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Cajazeiras 58900-000, BrazilDepartamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-420, BrazilCancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and the currently available therapies are often associated with severe side effects, including nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity. In this context, essential oils (EOs) have stood out as a less toxic natural alternative, with their anticancer potential widely investigated in in vitro and in vivo studies. The present study aimed to review, for the first time, the chemical composition, anticancer potential, and biological safety of EOs extracted from species of the Cyperaceae family. Research was conducted in different databases, covering publications from the first report on the topic in 1989 to November 2024. This review highlights 33 Cyperaceae species known to produce essential oils, with sesquiterpenes (67%) identified as the predominant compounds. The notable compounds across multiple species include cyperene, cyperotundone, caryophyllene oxide, and mustakone. Regarding the pharmacological potential, the EOs of <i>Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus kyllingia,</i> and <i>Cyperus longus</i> exhibited high cytotoxic activity against the HCT-116, HepG2, MCF-7, HeLa, and NCI-H187 cell lines. The mechanisms of action associated with the anticancer effect of EOs include DNA fragmentation, cell cycle arrest, and induction of apoptosis. Acute toxicity reports indicate that only the EOs of <i>Cyperus articulatus</i> have been evaluated in rodents and deemed biologically safe.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-0532/93/1/9<i>Cyperus rotundus</i>sesquiterpenescytotoxicityantitumorantiproliferative |
| spellingShingle | José Jailson Lima Bezerra Anderson Angel Vieira Pinheiro Antônio Fernando Morais de Oliveira Chemical Composition and Anticancer Activity of Essential Oils from Cyperaceae Species: A Comprehensive Review Scientia Pharmaceutica <i>Cyperus rotundus</i> sesquiterpenes cytotoxicity antitumor antiproliferative |
| title | Chemical Composition and Anticancer Activity of Essential Oils from Cyperaceae Species: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_full | Chemical Composition and Anticancer Activity of Essential Oils from Cyperaceae Species: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_fullStr | Chemical Composition and Anticancer Activity of Essential Oils from Cyperaceae Species: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chemical Composition and Anticancer Activity of Essential Oils from Cyperaceae Species: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_short | Chemical Composition and Anticancer Activity of Essential Oils from Cyperaceae Species: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_sort | chemical composition and anticancer activity of essential oils from cyperaceae species a comprehensive review |
| topic | <i>Cyperus rotundus</i> sesquiterpenes cytotoxicity antitumor antiproliferative |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-0532/93/1/9 |
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