Medicinal properties of Stryphnodendron adstringens: a narrative review

Abstract

Objective: To address, through a narrative review, the main pharmacological activities of the medicinal plant Stryphnodendron adstringens. Bibliographic review: Brazil is a country with a great variability of plants due to their miscegenation. This set of ethnic and cultural diversity helps to spread knowledge associated with the traditional use of medicinal plants. Stryphnodendron adstringens is a native species of the cerrado, popularly known as: barbatimão, rudder beard, purple blotch, virginity bark, youth bark. In folk medicine, Barbatimão is widely used for having pharmacological activities such as: antifungal, antimicrobial, antiulcer, angiogenic, antioxidant, antiseptic. Its therapeutic potential is related to its secondary metabolism, these activities being attributed to active substances such as condensed tannins, which are rich in polymers of proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, prodelphinidins and prorobinetinidins. Final Considerations: There is increasing research on the medicinal properties of Stryphnodendron adstringens, studies confirming its pharmacological potential, which can be used as a therapeutic alternative more accessible to the population. However, the toxicity of the plant needs to be further investigated.