Ethno-Knowledge of Medicinal Plants to Treat Uterine Problems in Amapá Communities, Amazon, Brazil: An Integrative Review

Abstract

Purpose: Review ethnobotanical studies carried out in the state of Amapá on the uses of medicinal plants for treating infection and inflammation in the uterus and subsequently identify the pharmacological effects described in the literature of these plant species
  
 Theoretical framework: In Brazil, the use of medicinal plants helps in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, and it is commonly used by women from traditional communities to treat gynecological conditions.
  
 Method: Integrative literature review. In order to search for articles, sources of information found in the following databases were used: Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, LILACS and Medline. Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological studies carried out in Amapá from 2001 to 2021 and experimental studies (in vivo and in vitro) carried out in the period from 2018 to 2022 were included.
  
 Results and conclusion: 23 medicinal plants traditionally used for the treatment of uterine infection and inflammation in Amapá communities were identified, highlighting Fridericia chica and Stryphnodendron adstringens, which presented studies proving their antifungal efficacy against fungi of the genus Candida, mainly Candida albicans. The study helps to recover popular knowledge about medicinal plants used alternatively for the treatment of gynecological conditions
  
 Research implications: This study contributes to the identification of plant species traditionally used in gynecological pathologies and identifies the pharmacological effects of these vegetables in the literature, serving as a support for biotechnological development and the discovery of new drugs.
  
 Originality/value: This review sought to present to the scientific and pharmaceutical community what is currently being researched on bioactive compounds from medicinal herbs aimed at treating infection and inflammation that affect women's gynecological health.