Relación entre los usos medicinales tradicionales y la actividad biológica de las especies del género Desmodium

Abstract

The genus Desmodium includes around 350 botanical species, widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas around the world. It has special importance because it has been used since ancient times for many medicinal purposes and has been the subject of a large number of scientific investigations. The objective of this research work was to correlate the compounds, chemical groups or extracts described in the genus Desmodium, associating their biological activity with their use in traditional medicine, through a systematized review. 56 Desmodium species were analyzed, this allowed the systematization of their traditional medicinal uses. More than one hundred and fifty uses were reported, highlighting their use in the treatment of general body, muscle, stomach, rheumatic, ovarian, kidney and liver pain, as an antimicrobial in the treatment of superficial and deep infections and associated inflammatory conditions. The most common modes of administration were infusions, decoction and as a plaster. On the other hand, it was evidenced that the biological activities that were most experienced in the laboratory were: antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory, common in most species. The associated active principles were Descaudatine A; 8- Dimethylallyltaxifolin and Nothofagin for antioxidant activity, Sophoraflavanone B; Leachianone G; 8- (γ, γ-dimethylallyl) -5,7,4´- trihydroxydihydroflavonol and Yukovanol for antimicrobial activity, and 2'-Hydroxyl yokovanol; 2'-Hydroxyl neophellamuretin; (17Z, 20Z) -hexacosa-17,20-dien-9-one and Gangenoid for antiinflammatory activity. The most studied species were Desmodium gangeticum, Desmodium adscendens and Desmodium styracifolium. It is suggested to continue with scientific investigations of the species from this genus that are found in Ecuador and which have pharmacological potential.