title: Bioactivities of the genus Combretum (Combretaceae): a review.
abstract: The Combretaceae is a large family of herbs, shrubs and trees, comprising about 20 genera and 600 species with tropical distribution around the globe and centers of diversity in Africa and Asia. Some Combretum species are extensively used in traditional medicine against inflammation, infections, diabetes, malaria, bleeding, diarrhea and digestive disorders and others as a diuretic. The present work is a literature survey of Combretum species that have been evaluated for their ability to exert biological activities. A total number of 36 Combretum species are discussed with regard to plant parts used, component tested and bioassay models. This review is of fundamental importance to promoting studies on Combretum species, thereby contributing to the development of new therapeutic alternatives that may improve the health of people suffering from various health problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa 58051-970, PB, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gedson Rodrigues
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: de Morais Lima
authors.forename: Igor Rafael Praxedes
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: de Sales
authors.forename: Marcelo Ricardo Dutra
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Caldas Filho
authors.forename: Neyres Zínia Taveira
authors.initials: NZ
authors.lastname: de Jesus
authors.forename: Heloina
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: de Sousa Falcão
authors.forename: José Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Barbosa-Filho
authors.forename: Analúcia Guedes Silveira
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Cabral
authors.forename: Augusto Lopes
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Souto
authors.forename: Josean Fechine
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Tavares
authors.forename: Leônia Maria
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Batista
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D029765:Combretum / Q000737:chemistry*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D008518:Medicine, East Asian Traditional; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts