Modulation of human cell proliferation through biomaterials and xenobiotics: implication in development of anticancer therapies

The PhD thesis focused on two topics, one of them being characterized by applicative purposes and another, in some way related to the first one, which presents a character of more basic research. The applicative topic was aimed at identifying molecules of natural origin capable of improving the effectiveness of anticancer drugs already used in therapy, when exploited in proper associations. These results are submitted for a patent application. The topic wich presents a more basic character concerns the study of the action mechanism by which a pleiotropic molecule of natural origin (berberine), already known for its potential anticancer properties, produces its activity.