Therapeutic Applications of Physalins: Powerful Natural Weapons
Cássio Santana Meira, José Waldson Capinan Soares, Bruna Padilha Zurita Claro dos Reis, Luciano Vasconcellos Pacheco, Ivanilson Pimenta Santos, Dahara Keyse Carvalho Silva, Julia Costa de Lacerda, Sérgio Ricardo Teixeira Daltro, Elisalva Teixeira Guimarães, Milena Botelho Pereira Soares
Abstract
Physalins, or 16,24-cyclo-13,14-seco steroids, are compounds belonging to the class of withanolides that can be found in plants of Solanaceae family, mainly in species belonging to the genus Physalis spp., which are annual herbaceous plants widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Physalins are versatile molecules that act in several cell signaling pathways and activate different mechanisms of cell death or immunomodulation. A number of studies have shown a variety of actions of these compounds, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antinociceptive, and antiviral activities. Here we reviewed the main findings related to the anticancer, immunomodulatory, and antiparasitic activities of physalins and its mechanisms of action, highlighting the \challenges and future directions in the pharmacological application of physalins.