Compostos presentes na pitanga (Eugenia Uniflora L.) e sua ação na prevenção do câncer

Abstract

Pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.) is found and consumed in several states in Brazil, with great potential for studies and research on cancer prevention. Pitanga is a source of nutrients that give it nutritional and biological properties, has vitamins, minerals, fibers, and also bioactive compounds, which have an antioxidant characteristic, which is a protective factor against various degenerative and carcinogenic pathologies. Within this context, this narrative review research aimed to review in the literature studies that demonstrate the compounds present in Eugenia uniflora L. that exert preventive action on the etiology of cancer. Studies have identified in samples of fruits, leaves and seeds of pitanga the presence of phytochemicals such as carotenoid compounds (lycopene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin) and phenolic compounds (flavonoids, flavonols and anthocyanins). The carotenoid compounds act by stimulating the immune system, perform antioxidant, chemotherapeutic action and also neutralize free radicals. Phenolic compounds, in addition to the antioxidant and neutralizing capacity of free radicals, also act on the death of tumor cells and on cell signaling. The results found in this review reinforce that Eugenia uniflora L. is a rich source of compounds that act in the prevention of oncological diseases. These anticarcinogenic properties of pitanga must be disclosed, reinforcing the nutritional potential of the consumption of this Brazilian fruit.