A bibliographic review on the family Araceae with foccus on the genera Pistia, Philodendron and Montrichardia: botanical, phytochemical and biological activity aspects

• Autor(a) principal: Dolabela, Maria Fâni
• Data de Publicação: 2015
• Outros Autores: Silva, João Victor da S., do Rosário, Diele M, da Veiga, Andreza do S. S., de Vasconcelos, Flávio, Percário, Sandro
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista Fitos
• Texto Completo: https://revistafitos.far.fiocruz.br/index.php/revista-fitos/article/view/209
• topic: Plantas medicinais; Araceae; Montrichardia; Pistia; Philodendron; Medicinal plants; Araceae; Montrichardia; Pistia; Philodendron

The present paper reports a broad literature review on the Araceae family, focusing the genera with popular allegation of medicinal use. The review was carried through different databases, specialized periodicals and books. The Araceae family comprises ornamental, toxic and medicinal plants. Species with allegations of popular use against serpent bites and scurvy, as well as vermifuge, laxative, and hemostatic, among other uses, are described. The Pistia genus includes P. stratiotes, popularly known as santa-luzia with, repolho-d’água, alface-d’agua and golfo, with popular allegations of activity as diuretic, antipyretics, stranguria, hematuria, diabetes, hemoptysis, hydropsy, arthritis, liver affections, and treatment of scurvy. However, these popular allegations lack of validation studies. Phytochemically, steroids have been isolated from this species. Certainty the mostly studied genus of this family in terms of biological activities is Montrichardia that has been evaluated for antiplasmodial, antibacterial, antifungal, and antinociceptive activities. Another genus of this family with allegation of popular use is Philodendron, with the following allegations: treatment of serpent bites and pain killer, laxative, hemostatic and vermifuges. Phytochemical studies led to the isolation of sitosteol and other substances. Biological studies confirmed activities against Trypanosoma cruzi and Trichomonas vaginalis, but the mechanisms involved in toxicity are still not completely elucidated. In summary, this family includes different species with therapeutical potential that deserve validation studies.