SURVEY ON THE ANTIOXIDANT, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND HEALING POTENTIAL OF THE GENUS Jatropha (L., 1753)

Abstract

The genus Jatropha (L., 1753), belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family, formed approximately by more than 170 varieties that are recognized in domestic medicine, as a plant with healing, antioxidant, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Purpose of the study: The present study aimed to carry out a narrative review on the antioxidant, antiinflammatory and healing properties of the genus JL, in order to correlate its therapeutic uses in folk medicine with scientific evidence. Materials and Methods: A search was carried out, without restriction of year or language of publication in the PubMed and SciElo databases in order to find studies that investigated the possible properties of the genus Jatropha. Results: Sixteen studies were found that identified antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and healing therapeutic properties in different species of the Jatropha genus. Conclusions: The genus J. L. demonstrates antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and healing properties, especially in the roots and leaves of J. gossypiifolia L, J. mollissima (Pohl) Baill, J. elliptica (Pohl) mull arg. and J. curcas L.