Ethno-pharmacological studies of brazilian caatinga plants: A review

This study aimed to review the results of scientific papers on the main ethno-pharmacological studies carried out with species from the Brazilian Caatinga Region. We searched the electronic databases: SciELO, PubMed, LILACS and CAPES. The period of time was defined as 10 years, having as key words: hypoglycemic, vegetable (extract), phytotherapic and biotechnological potential. The Caatinga is one of the main Brazilian biomes. It represents considerable plant diversity and has numerous species used by the population for many purposes. It is the most critical biome, threatened and altered by human activities. The use of medicinal plants plays an important role in the treatment and prevention of diseases around the world and means a source of innovation and discovery of new drugs. The traditional use of these plants in the treatment of diseases is related to the technological and pharmaceutical development of new therapeutic inputs. However, the lack of information about this biome makes difficult the use of this Brazilian biotechnological potential. This work aims to relate the main ethno - pharmacological studies carried out with Caatinga species from 2008 to 2018, in order to assist in the prospection and greater use of the area 's biodiversity and in the elaboration of other studies.