Peltophorum (Caesalpinioideae, Fabaceae): a review on ethnobotanical, pharmacological and phytochemical profiles

Introduction: Seven species of three are recognised in the genus Peltophorum, distributed in the tropics and subtropics of America, South Africa, Asia, and Oceania. These species are used as ornamentals, restorers of degraded ecosystems, and forestry, providing commercially valuable wood. This review aims to analyse the different records of biological activity reported for the genus. Methods: Bibliographic searches were conducted across various recognised databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Portal da Periódicos da CAPES. The searches encompassed articles, research theses, and books specifically addressing ethnobotany, isolated chemical constituents, and bioactivities within Peltophorum species. The exploration covered the years 1982–2023, and the connectors ´and´ and ´or´ were used. Results: The total number of articles on the genus Peltophorum evaluated was 85, with seven excluded based on the editor´s requirements and the nature of the research. This study comprehensively investigated the seven taxonomically recognised species, documenting the activities of synonyms and updating their nomenclatural binomials under the International Plant Names Index (IPNI). The review considered the diverse biological activities associated with these species, encompassing antiparasitic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimutagenic, and traditional medicinal uses such as analgesic, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective effects, among others. Analysis of phytochemical groups linked to different bioactivities revealed a predominance of phenolic compounds, coumarins, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. Conclusions: A detailed review of the Peltophorum genus was presented, inclusive of the phytochemical background, as well as various pharmacological and ethnobotanical activities. This contribution provides valuable information for future research.

Fil: Di Ciaccio, Lucía Soledad. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación En Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria; Argentina

Fil: Catalano, Alejandra Vanina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Farmacología. Cátedra de Farmacognosia; Argentina

Fil: López, Paula Gladys. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Farmacología. Cátedra de Farmacognosia; Argentina

Fil: Fortunato, Renee Hersilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; Argentina. Universidad de Morón. Facultad de Agronomía y Ciencias Agroalimentarias; Argentina

Fil: Salvat, Adriana Elisabeth. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Patología Vegetal; Argentina