Ethnopharmacology of the angiosperms of Chapada of Araripe located in Northeast of Brazil

Abstract

The Chapada of Araripe located in the Northeast of Brazil, presents a great vegetal diversity. Associated with this, the region presents a great cultural plurality, which reflects in several popular knowledge, such as the use of medicinal plants in the region. The objective of this work was to carry out an ethnopharmacological bibliographic survey of angiosperms present in the region. The scientific name of species was associated with the keywords "traditional use", "traditional medicine" "traditional knowledge" and "Brazil" to collect information published and available on Pubmed, Science Direct, Scielo and Scopus Platform. Subsequently, the species with the greatest versatility of use were selected and their relative importance (RI) indexes were calculated. As a result, 92 species with medicinal potential were identified in the Chapada of Araripe, corresponding to 81 genera and 44 botanical families, with Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Malvaceae and Rubiaceae being the taxa that presented the highest number of species with 16, 6, 5 and 5 respectively. The 10 most versatile species were Anacardium occidentale (RI: 1.38), Astronium urundeuva (1.86), Copaifera langsdorffii (2.00), Hancornia speciosa (1.81), Himatanthus drasticus (1.62), Hymenaea stigonocarpa (1.89), Lafoensia pacari (1.83), Libidibia ferrea (1.43), Scoparia dulcis (1.71) and Ximenia americana L. (1.46). Finally, we emphasize that Chapada of Araripe is a region of great biological and cultural value, being important actions for the preservation of local flora and traditional knowledge.

Indication of herbal medicines and medicinal plants by the doctors of Basic Health Units

“…Several studies involving leaves as the most used part in the preparation of phytomedicines are found in the literature (Santos., 2016). According to Cruz et al, (2021), medicinal plants tend to concentrate the active principles in their leaves, which demonstrates the prevalence of their use, as well as being the easily obtainable part in terms of quantity, handling and conservation of species.…”

“…The use of elements from nature by man is an ancient custom and since primitive times, plants, animals and chemical elements are used as "medicines" that man uses. The use of plants is not only related to medicine, but also in rituals and in food (Cruz et al, 2021). In Brazil, the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of diseases is influenced by indigenous, African and European cultures, which have been integrated into a set of principles that aim to cure diseases and restore natural life to man.…”

“…Currently, they have conquered space in medical therapy considering judicious scientific studies aimed at the development of herbal medicines. Thus, the use of medicinal plants has become an important tool for health professionals, users and researchers (Cruz et al, 2021).…”

Análise dos principais impactos ambientais na Serra Gravatá, Município de Jardim, Ceará

“…A chapada do Araripe localizada entre os estados do Piauí, Ceará e Pernambuco, abriga a Floresta Nacional do Araripe -FLONA, uma das mais importantes áreas de preservação do país, sendo conhecida por suas lindas florestas e fontes de água abundantes (Moro, 2015;Nascimento et al, 2018;Cruz et al, 2021;Andrade & Mota, 2022). É neste ambiente que encontra inserido o sítio Gravatá, localizado no município de Jardim, Sul do estado Ceará.…”

Revisão da literatura científica de Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel

“…Dentre esses brejos, está a Chapada do Araripe, localizada no extremo Sul do Ceará (abarcando ainda os estados de Pernambuco e Piauí) a qual é conhecida por abrigar uma alta quantidade de angiospermas ao longo de suas fitofisionomias, como a Savana (Cerrado); Savana Estépica (Carrasco) e Floresta Estacional Sempre-Verde (Floresta úmida) (Sousa et al, 2021;Ribeiro-Silva et al, 2012). Devido esta diversidade biológica vegetal, tal área é objeto constante de estudos etnofarmacológicos, os quais demonstraram o alto potencial etnomedicinal das espécies lá encontradas (Cruz et al, 2021;Ribeiro et al, 2014;Macêdo et al, 2018;Macêdo et al, 2016;Oliveira et al, 2012).…”