title: Jatropha gossypiifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae): A Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of This Medicinal Plant.
abstract: Jatropha gossypiifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae), widely known as "bellyache bush," is a medicinal plant largely used throughout Africa and America. Several human and veterinary uses in traditional medicine are described for different parts and preparations based on this plant. However, critical reviews discussing emphatically its medicinal value are missing. This review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the traditional uses, as well as the phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity data of J. gossypiifolia species, in view of discussing its medicinal value and potential application in complementary and alternative medicine. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated significant action of different extracts and/or isolated compounds as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, antihypertensive, and anticancer agents, among others, supporting some of its popular uses. No clinical trial has been detected to date. Further studies are necessary to assay important folk uses, as well as to find new bioactive molecules with pharmacological relevance based on the popular claims. Toxicological studies associated with phytochemical analysis are important to understand the eventual toxic effects that could reduce its medicinal value. The present review provides insights for future research aiming for both ethnopharmacological validation of its popular use and its exploration as a new source of herbal drugs and/or bioactive natural products.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Tecnologia & Biotecnologia Farmacêutica (TecBioFar), Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas (PPgCF), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Rua General Cordeiro de Farias, s/n, Petrópolis, 59012-570 Natal, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Félix-Silva
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Rua General Cordeiro de Farias, s/n, Petrópolis, 59012-570 Natal, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Raquel Brandt
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Giordani
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Tecnologia & Biotecnologia Farmacêutica (TecBioFar), Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas (PPgCF), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Rua General Cordeiro de Farias, s/n, Petrópolis, 59012-570 Natal, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Arnóbio Antonio
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Rua General Cordeiro de Farias, s/n, Petrópolis, 59012-570 Natal, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Silvana Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Zucolotto
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Tecnologia & Biotecnologia Farmacêutica (TecBioFar), Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas (PPgCF), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Rua General Cordeiro de Farias, s/n, Petrópolis, 59012-570 Natal, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Matheus de Freitas
authors.initials: Mde F
authors.lastname: Fernandes-Pedrosa