MMSL 2017, 86(1):32-41 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2017.005

BRAZILIAN PEPPER TREE: REVIEW OF PHARMACOLOGYReview article

Jiří Patočka ORCID...1,2*, Joyce Diz de Almeida3
1 Institute of Radiology, Toxicology and Civil Protection, Faculty of Health and Social Studies, University of South Bohemia České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
2 Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
3 Military Institute of Engineering, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) from the Anacardiaceae family is native to Central and South America. In folk medicine, S. terebinthifolius has been used as a remedy for ulcers, respiratory problems, wounds, rheumatism, gout, diarrhea, skin ailments and arthritis, as well as to treat tumors and leprosy. The Brazilian pepper tree has various biological properties and it is a source of many bioactive compounds. Several classes of compounds can be found in extracts obtained from these plants, such as terpenes and flavonoids. Essential oils obtained by steam distillation or extraction by solvents from berries or leafs is rich in monoterpenes and shows interesting antioxidant activity. It has displayed good-to-very strong in vitro antifungal actions against numerous fungi, as well as Candida. The essential oil and leaves have demonstrated in vitro antibacterial activity against numerous bacterial strains.

Keywords: Brazilian pepper tree; Schinus terebinthifolius; ethnobotanics; traditional medicine; pharmacology; toxicology

Received: December 28, 2016; Revised: February 1, 2017; Published: March 10, 2017  Show citation

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Patočka, J., & de Almeida, J.D. (2017). BRAZILIAN PEPPER TREE: REVIEW OF PHARMACOLOGY. MMSL, 86(1), 32-41. doi: 10.31482/mmsl.2017.005
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