MEDICINAL USE OF Cereus jamacaru DC. (MANDACARU): A REVIEW

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants has been one of the main alternatives for treating diseases and maintaining health. Brazil is a privileged country for its biodiversity rich in plant species in all its biomes that envision studies that scientifically remedy some plants they already eat. Cereus jamacaru DC is a species of the Cactaceae family common in the Caatinga and popularly known as mandacaru. Literature review was carried out using the descriptors C. jamacaru DC, cacti and mandacaru, through the Scielo, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Bireme and Lilacs databases. The search included publications highlighting the medicinal and economic importance of C. jamacaru DC. The highest relevance studies were selected, which mainly address the theme of popular use of the species. In folk medicine, C. jamacaru is used as an antibiotic, diuretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory, in addition to treating intestinal problems, releases, heart and nerve disorders, toothache, curing some types of ulcers and acting without diabetes and cholesterol control. The pharmacological activity of this species has been scientifically evaluated through studies that seek to correlate the phytochemical composition with its effect. The presence of metabolites such as flavonoids favors an antioxidant activity that may represent an important mechanism to justify the therapeutic activities of the species. However, further research is required for complete elucidation of plant properties, both pharmacological and toxicological.