GoniothalamusSpecies: A Source of Drugs for the Treatment of Cancers and Bacterial Infections?

Abstract

Irrespective of the presence of cytotoxic acetogenins and styryl-lactones in the genusGoniothalamus, only 22 species in the genusGoniothalamus, out of 160 species (13.7%) have so far been investigated. In an effort to promote further research on the genusGoniothalamuswhich could represent a source of drugs for the treatment of cancers and bacterial infections, this work offers a broad analysis of current knowledge onGoniothalamusspecies. Therefore, it includes (i) taxonomy (ii) botanical description (iii) traditional medicinal uses and (iv) phytochemical and pharmacological studies. We discuss the molecular mechanisms of actions of acetogenins and styryl-lactones, with some emphasis on the possible involvement of protein kinase, Bax and TRAIL receptors in the cytotoxic effects of styryl-lactones. We also report (v) the growth inhibition of several nosocomial bacteria byGoniothalamus. scortechinii. The crude methanol extract ofG. scortechiniishowed a good and broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.