Background: the increased incidence and high mortality of cancer in Cuba has made cancer a disease with very high priority for the scientific community and the health system in Cuba. To preserve cost -effective cancer treatment protocols, a lot of efforts are invested in developing new pharmacological strategies with novel natural products from indigenous sources, to combat cancer in its different forms and manifestations. The aqueous extract from stem bark of Mangifera indica L (VimangÒ), which contains a mixture of polyphenols, triterpenes, phytosteroids, fatty acids and microelements, has been used in Cuba during several years in ethnomedical practices for the improvement of quality of life of patients with different pathologies, including patients with malignant tumors. Confirmed anti -inflammatory and antioxidant properties of these extracts, already resulted in the introduction of VimangÒ in different randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trials for treatment of infectious diseases (bronchitis, dermatitis), diabetes, or ischemic stroke. General objective, developmental overall objective (benefits for the society): a phytomedicinal compound from natural resources and a classical therapeutic agent have been combined into a novel sustainable cost-effective cancer therapy in Cuba. Academic overall objective (related to the capacity building of the university): capacity for cancer studies with natural compounds has been improved for Cuban researchers. Specific objective, developmental specific objectives: solid scientific support for mangiferin as a sustainable cost-effective natural phytomedicinal anti-cancer compound from natural resources in Cuba has been provided. Academic specific objectives: capacity for molecular cancer research in preclinical models in laboratory animals natural compounds has improved for Cuban researchers. Results related to capacity building: better trained/qualified local researchers; improved research capacity and competitiveness of the local laboratory. Results related to research: sustainable mangiferin production from the mangotree (experimental plant factory outside Havana); solid scientific support of anticancer activities of Vimang® or mangiferin in vitro; solid scientific support for anticancer activities of Vimang® or mangiferin in vivo. Results related to extension: distribute information on phytomedicinal research results to general public, students, oncologists and physicians.. This project was identified by RTI International for their own research purposes and some fields do not align with The GO Map categories. End dates were estimated as one year after the start date. The Project Type "Research, Clinical" may not accurately describe this project's focus but was used for all RTI International's Global Noncommunicable Diseases Initiative projects added in June 2018. Specialties were not analyzed. All project funding was valued in 2015 USD.
