Bioactivities of the genus Combretum (Combretaceae): a review

• Published in: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2012-08, Vol.17 (8), p.9142-9206
• Main Authors: de Morais Lima, Gedson Rodrigues, de Sales, Igor Rafael Praxedes, Caldas Filho, Marcelo Ricardo Dutra, de Jesus, Neyres Zínia Taveira, de Sousa Falcão, Heloina, Barbosa-Filho, José Maria, Cabral, Analúcia Guedes Silveira, Souto, Augusto Lopes, Tavares, Josean Fechine, Batista, Leônia Maria
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Infective Agents - therapeutic use; Combretum - chemistry; Communicable Diseases - drug therapy; Humans; Medicine, African Traditional; Medicine, East Asian Traditional; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Plants, Medicinal - chemistry; Review
• ISSN: 1420-3049; 1420-3049
• DOI: 10.3390/molecules17089142

The Combretaceae is a large family of herbs, shrubs and trees, comprising about 20 genera and 600 species with tropical distribution around the globe and centers of diversity in Africa and Asia. Some Combretum species are extensively used in traditional medicine against inflammation, infections, diabetes, malaria, bleeding, diarrhea and digestive disorders and others as a diuretic. The present work is a literature survey of Combretum species that have been evaluated for their ability to exert biological activities. A total number of 36 Combretum species are discussed with regard to plant parts used, component tested and bioassay models. This review is of fundamental importance to promoting studies on Combretum species, thereby contributing to the development of new therapeutic alternatives that may improve the health of people suffering from various health problems.