RESUMO
Caryocar coriaceum is an endemic tree of Brazil, occurring mainly in the northeast region in the Cerrado environment. The species, popularly known as "pequi", produces fruits that are used in the manufacture of oil for food and medicinal purposes. This work reviewed studies conducted with the species, highlighting its ethnomedicinal use, its pharmacological potential, including its chemical constituents, and its cultural and socioeconomic importance. Information was obtained through the main scientific research platforms. The keyword "Caryocar coriaceum" was used as the main index for searching the following platforms: PubMed®, PubMed Central®, SciElo, Scopus® and Web of ScienceTM. The compiled papers demonstrate that C. coriaceum has great medicinal, economic and cultural importance for northeastern Brazil. Popularly, the fruits of C. coriaceum are used to treat broncho-pulmonary diseases (bronchitis, colds and flu). The fixed oil is widely used to relieve pain from various causes in the treatment of inflammation, flu, eczema, burns, fever, rickets, indigestion, heart murmurs, fatigue and erectile dysfunction. Some of these uses are corroborated by pharmacological trials, which have demonstrated the antioxidant, healing, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, antinociceptive and antimicrobial properties of the species. Chemically, fatty acids and phenolic compounds are the main constituents recorded for the species. Due to its medicinal properties, the fruits and oil of C. coriaceum have a high commercial demand and are one of the main forms of subsistence activities for local populations. On the other hand, the extractive practice of the fruits, associated with anthropic factors and its physiological nature, makes the species threatened with extinction. Thus, public management policies are highly necessary in order to avoid its extinction.
RESUMO
Gypsies have been in Brazil since the 16th century and today they are more than 800,000 in the country. This article describes the veterinary use of plants by Calon gypsies living in Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. The research was carried out with 23 people (> 40 years old), using semi-structured forms and the snowball technique. The cited species were collected during guided tours, identified and deposited at the IPA and UFP herbaria. Ten plants were indicated for veterinary use: Agave sisalana (Asparagaceae), Aspidosperma pyrifolium (Apocynaceae), Apodanthera congestiflora (Cucurbitaceae), Heliotropium indicum (Boraginaceae), Lippia alba (Verbenaceae), Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae), Nicotiana tabacum (Solanaceae), Passiflora cincinnata (Passifloraceae), Phaseolus lunatus (Fabaceae), and Solanum paniculatum (Solanaceae). The participants cited various methods of preparation and therapeutic indications for ectoparasitic infections, digestive disorders, and eye and respiratory infections in farm animals. Apodanthera congestiflora and H. indicum stood out for prophylaxis and treatment of Newcastle disease in fowl.
Los gitanos están en Brasil desde el siglo XVI y hoy, son más de 800.000 en el país. Este artículo describe el uso veterinario de plantas por gitanos Calon que viven en Pernambuco, Noreste de Brasil. La encuesta fue realizada con 23 personas (> 40 años), utilizando formularios semi-estructurados y la técnica bola de nieve. Las especies citadas fueron recolectadas en giras guiadas, identificadas y depositadas en los herbarios IPA y UFP. Diez plantas fueron citadas para uso veterinario: Agave sisalana (Asparagaceae), Aspidosperma pyrifolium (Apocynaceae), Apodanthera congestiflora (Cucurbitaceae), Heliotropium indicum (Boraginaceae), Lippia alba (Verbenaceae), Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae), Nicotiana tabacum (Solanaceae), Passiflora cincinnata (Passifloraceae), Phaseolus lunatus (Fabaceae) y Solanum paniculatum (Solanaceae). Los participantes citaron varios modos de preparación e indicaciones terapéuticas para infecciones ectoparasitarias, disturbios digestivos, infecciones oculares y respiratorias en animales domésticos. Apodanthera congestiflora y H. indicum se destacaron en la profilaxis y tratamiento de la enfermedad de Newcastle en aves.