Abstract

DIAS SOUZA, Renata Kelly; ALCANTARA MORAIS MENDONCA, Ana Cleide  and  PESSOA DA SILVA, Maria Arlene. Ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects Rubiaceae species in Brazil. Rev Cubana Plant Med [online]. 2013, vol.18, n.1, pp. 140-156. ISSN 1028-4796.

Introduction: in Brazil, there has been growing interest in the study of medicinal plants in response to recent global trend of concern for biodiversity, based on the idea of sustainable development. Objective: to register and to rescue ethnobotanical, pharmacological and phytochemical species of Rubiaceae family. Methods: the compiled literature covered publications that addressed the use, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Rubiaceae species in Brazil. Results: a total number of 104 species distributed into 43 genera, mostly used as medicines, has been compiled. A varied range of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and iridoids, as well as various pharmacological anti-syphilitic, antiasthma, antianemic, antiangiogenic, antiinflammatory, antitumor, and antioxidant properties were registered. Conclusions: there is a lack of specific ethnobotanical studies on the Rubiaceae family and there is a prevalence of chemical and pharmacological studies in the Southeast and the Southern regions of the country.

Keywords : ethnobotanical; uses; pharmacology; phytochemistry; Rubiaceae; Brazil.

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