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Erythrina L. genus (Fabaceae) comprises about 115 species, and it has been extensively studied, mainly because of its alkaloids, which have pharmacological properties. References demonstrated that Erythrina spp. have a potential to act in the central nervous system, presenting anxiolytic and anticonvulsant properties already established. Phytochemical investigations confirmed the presence of tetracyclic alkaloids as the major compounds. However, other alkaloid classes have also been reported, including dimeric and trimeric substances, coupled through direct polymerization or two erythrinine units via an acetyl glucose. The present review covers the relevant literature from 1990 until 2017 and outlines the current data on chemical composition and preclinical and clinical studies on Erythrina species. Additionally, the quite striking analogy in the biosynthetic route of erythrin, morphinans, and Amaryllidaceae family alkaloids was also discussed.

This work also contributes to studies that focus on the application of FAs on cancer therapy as a new adjuvant to radio or chemotherapy, or as a chemotherapeutic agent.

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Haliclona tubifera, marine sponge species abundant in Brazilian coastline, presents only a few papers published in the literature. Recently, we have reported the isolation of two modified C18 sphingoid bases: (2R,3R,6R,7Z)-2-aminooctadec-7-ene-1,3,6-triol and and (2R,3R,6R)-2-aminooctadec-1,3,6-triol. In order to continue our research, in this work aimed at the biological investigation of fractions that led to the isolation of these compounds. We evaluated the cytotoxic effect of marine sponge H. tubifera fractions in glioma (U87) and neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) human cell lines. In addition, considering the link between cancer, imbalance of reactive oxygen species and coagulation disorders, we also investigated the in vitro effects on blood coagulation and their redox properties. We showed that the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction, rich in sphingoid bases, had important cytotoxic effects in both cancer cell lines with an IC50 < 15 μg/mL and also can inhibit the production of peroxyl radicals. Interestingly, this fraction increased the recalcification time of human blood, showing anticoagulant properties. The present study indicates the sphingosines fraction as a promising source of chemical prototypes, especially multifunctional drugs in cancer therapy.