Abstract
Bauhinia forficata Link, popularly known as ‘cow's paw’, is characterized as a plant species widely used in traditional medicine as hypoglycemiant. Given its high empirical use for therapeutic purposes coupled with the high interest in research with this plant species, this study aimed to perform a systematic review on B. forficata L. seeking for evidence-based information on the influence of the use of this plant in glycemic, lipid and toxicological profile in in vivo experimental models, using a secondary survey of experimental studies conducted and published on this plant species. A search strategy was established and a total of 36 articles were found in the search, after exclusion of duplicate articles and application of inclusion criteria, only 12 were evaluated in detail. The glucose dosing was the most performed biochemical determination, found in 100% of the studies. Most articles proved the hypoglycemiant action of preparations from B. forficata L. Regarding the influence on lipid parameters, there were discordant results, and concerning toxicity, few articles on the subject were found, but the results indicated that the use of the aqueous extract from the plant is safe. Thus, it was possible to demonstrate the pharmacological potential of this plant species. Key words: Bauhinia forficata Link, diabetes, hypoglycemiant, systematic review.
Highlights
The history of pharmacy and medicines evolution is marked by the use of plants for medicinal and therapeutic purposes
The scientific proof of the existence of pharmacological actions derived from plant species became real and this fact, combined with the excellent benefit-cost ratio in the production and processing of medicinal plants and the importance of this sector in primary health care, led this area to become the subject of intense research and investments by the herbal industry and government institutions (Siani, 2003; Souza et al, 2009)
Given the complexity of this metabolic disease, associated with the high empirical use of B. forficata L. for therapeutic purposes by the population and the high interest in research with this plant species, this study aimed to perform a systematic review on B. forficata L. seeking evidence-based information on the influence of the use of this plant in the glycemic, lipid and toxicological profile in in vivo experimental models, using, for this purpose, a secondary survey of experimental studies conducted and published on this plant species
Summary
The history of pharmacy and medicines evolution is marked by the use of plants for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. The scientific proof of the existence of pharmacological actions derived from plant species became real and this fact, combined with the excellent benefit-cost ratio in the production and processing of medicinal plants and the importance of this sector in primary health care, led this area to become the subject of intense research and investments by the herbal industry and government institutions (Siani, 2003; Souza et al, 2009). This scenario led to the adoption, in July 2006, of the. This list includes 71 plant species with potential to generate herbal medicines which may be provided by the Unified Health System (SUS) (Brazil, 2009)
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