Ethnopharmacology of Fruit Plants: A Literature Review on the Toxicological, Phytochemical, Cultural Aspects, and a Mechanistic Approach to the Pharmacological Effects of Four Widely Used Species

Abstract

Fruit plants have been widely used by the population as a source of food, income and in the treatment of various diseases due to their nutritional and pharmacological properties. The aim of this study was to review information from the most current research about the phytochemical composition, biological and toxicological properties of four fruit species widely used by the world population in order to support the safe medicinal use of these species and encourage further studies on their therapeutic properties. The reviewed species are: Talisia esculenta, Brosimum gaudichaudii, Genipa americana, and Bromelia antiacantha. The review presents the botanical description of these species, their geographical distribution, forms of use in popular medicine, phytochemical studies and molecules isolated from different plant organs. The description of the pharmacological mechanism of action of secondary metabolites isolated from these species was detailed and toxicity studies related to them were reviewed. The present study demonstrates the significant concentration of phenolic compounds in these species and their anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, photosensitizing properties, among others. Such species provide important molecules with pharmacological activity that serve as raw materials for the development of new drugs, making further studies necessary to elucidate mechanisms of action not yet understood and prove the safety for use in humans.

Chemical Characterization, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of the Edible Fruits of Brosimun gaudichaudii Trécul, a Native Plant of the Cerrado Biome

“…Most Moraceae species have not yet been chemically studied [40] . However, the compounds with the highest number of occurrences in the family are coumarins, especially furocoumarins, which are used to treat not only vitiligo but also other skin disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and mycoses [41] . Moreover, coumarins show several biological activities, such as photosensitizer, antimicrobial, anticoagulant, vasodilatory, sedative, and analgesic activities [40] .…”

“…Cerrado fruits are considered a source of bioactive substances, mainly phenolic compounds, probably because of exposure to water stress, high ultraviolet radiation, herbivore attacks and fungal infections, which are common conditions in Cerrado plants [46] . These compounds show therapeutic properties with anti‐inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant potential, among others [41] . Thus, to obtain a higher extraction yield of phenolic compounds and consequently greater antioxidant activity, the hydroethanolic extract of the fruits of inharé was used for the tests of antioxidant activity.…”

“…In previous studies, there were no reports of toxicity in humans [59] and preliminary cytotoxic studies in mammalian cells, including normal adult tissues, embryos, and tumor cells from B. gaudichaudii fruits. [59][60] Currently, just 17 plant species are consumed as 90 % of the global human diet and are based heavily on foods such as corn, cassava, rice, and wheat. In addition, many diets in both developing and developed countries concentrate on processed foods with an energy-dense but nutritionally poor diet, including those with added refined carbohydrates, sugars, and fats.…”

“…[46] These compounds show therapeutic properties with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant potential, among others. [41] Thus, to obtain a higher extraction yield of phenolic compounds and consequently greater antioxidant activity, the hydroethanolic extract of the fruits of inharé was used for the tests of antioxidant activity.…”

Editorial to the Special Issue “Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Plant Natural Compounds”

“…The comprehensive work of De Carvalho and collaborators explored the phytochemical composition, biological and toxicological properties of four fruit species, i.e., Talisia esculenta, Brosimum gaudichaudii, Genipa americana, and Bromelia antiacantha [ 2 ]. They reported that these plants demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and photosensitizing properties, in addition to providing key molecules with pharmacological and healthy activity.…”