Genus Ceiba Mill. in Brazil: A comprehensive review on its ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and bioactivities

Abstract

Introduction: Neotropical genus Ceiba Mill. is known for having tall trees, trunks with a robust part and fruits of economic interest. In Brazil, there are eleven native species, from those five are endemic. It is used in folk medicine to treat diabetes, inflammation, pain and diarrhea; however, most of the species have no scientific validation for such activities. This review aims to compile information about the genus Ceiba in Brazil, to update and allow an integrated understanding of its medicinal uses, chemical composition, and biological activities. Methodology: Ceiba species reported in Flora e Funga do Brasil were used for this literature review, using ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar as articles databases. Results: In traditional use, the most cited species was C. pentandra (25 citations), the most used part was stem/bark (30 citations), preparation method was decoction (19 citations), and main administration route was oral ingestion (12 reports) for digestive system, skin and subcutaneous tissues diseases treatment. Genus chemical composition is wide, presenting metabolites such as proteins, sugars, fatty acids, tannins, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Bioactivities as antidiabetic, antioxidant, antitumor and antimicrobial were observed, especially for C. pentandra. Conclusion: Some species of Ceiba have extensive scientific literature, presenting several isolated compounds and bioactivities. On the other hand, some species, especially those that are endemics only in Brazil, do not have studies that evaluate their biological properties. Such knowledge is essential to confirm the medicinal potential cited in ethnobotanical reports, and the possibility of new compounds of biotechnological interest