Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul) L.P. Queiroz: A review on traditional uses, phytochemistry and biological-pharmacological activities

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology 2021-01, Vol.264, p.113181, Article 113181
• Main Authors: de Sousa, Leide Maria Soares, Santos, Brenda N.G., Medeiros, Maria das Graças F., Lima, Izabela B.C., Santos-Filho, Francisco Soares, Santana, Ana Cristina S.G.V., Moreno, Lina Clara G.A.I., Nunes, Lívio C.C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents - isolation & purification; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Infective Agents - therapeutic use; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - isolation & purification; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Ethnopharmacology - methods; Ethnopharmacology - trends; Fabaceae; Humans; Medicine, Traditional - methods; Medicine, Traditional - trends; Pharmacology; Phytochemicals - isolation & purification; Phytochemicals - pharmacology; Phytochemicals - therapeutic use; Phytochemistry; Plant Extracts - isolation & purification; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul) L.P. Queiroz; Toxicology; Traditional medicine
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113181

Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) LP Queiroz (Fabaceae) is an endemic tree in the Northeast of Brazil. Its flowers, leaves, stem bark and root have been used over the years to treat infections, abdominal pain, inflammation, diarrhea, heartburn, and dyspepsia. The present study is a critical assessment of the state-of-the-art concerning traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of P. pyramidalis performed through the application of a robust research strategy to explore the therapeutic potential of P. pyramidalis extracts and isolated compounds for the treatment of human disorders. Information related to this review was systematically collected from scientific literature databases for P. pyramidalis, including papers and patents (PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Google scholar, INPI, WIPO, EPO and USPTO), published books (e.g. Plantas Forrageiras das Caatingas), dissertations and theses. Plant taxonomy has been confirmed in the "The Plant List" database (www.theplantlist.org). Phytochemical analysis of P. pyramidalis shows several constituents such as flavonoids, triterpenoids and phenylpropanoids. The extract and isolated constituents exhibited a wide range of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effects including antimicrobial, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective and neuroprotective activities. In addition, toxicity studies showed that the administration of P. pyramidalis extract was safe in non-pregnant rats but displayed teratogenic effects in rats and goats. On the other hand, the search in patent databases reported a single filing, which highlights the disparity between a large number of published scientific articles versus the almost nonexistent filing of patents. This fact evidences a still little explored technological potential of the species. P. pyramidalis represents an important therapeutic resource for the population from the Northeast of Brazil. Pharmacological studies confirmed the effectiveness of the extract or isolated compounds in the treatment of various pathologies traditionally treated with P. pyramidalis. The authors emphasize the need for in-depth research and future clinical trials in order to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of P. pyramidalis. [Display omitted] •P. pyramidalis has been used to treat infections, inflammation and dyspepsia.•Phytochemical analysis shows flavonoids, triterpenoids and phenylpropanoids.•P. pyramidalis extract exhibited antimicrobial and anti-i