The Genus Hymenaea (Fabaceae): A Chemical and Pharmacological Review

Abstract Hymenaea (Fabaceae) is a genus greatly spread out from Central to South America. Plants of this genus are known as “jatoba,” “jetai,” “jatai-uva,” and “jetaiba,” and are commonly used in traditional medicine. The tree trunks exude a resin, used in folk medicine for the treatment of several disorders. The aim of this study was to review the main publications on the genus Hymenaea , focusing on the pharmacological and chemical approaches. The biological activity and chemical research of the Hymenaea species were run through the main data banks available. The specific names of the genus and the species were used as keywords. There are some important ethnopharmaceutical studies on the Hymenaea species, reporting its use either as a decoction or as a syrup for coughing, anemia, bronchitis, inflammation, antioxidant, sinusitis, abdominal spasms, prostate, asthma, common cold, and lung problems, and the resin in a patch for healing wounds. In some ethnopharmacological articles, the genus was one of the most cited by the population. The parts of the plants cited are the barks, resin, stem, and epicarp. This genus was tested for several activities, and many results were positive. A main chemical characteristic of Hymenaea species is the essential content of diterpenoids in the bark extracts and resin. Flavonoids, amino acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, coumarins, sesquiterpenes, steroids, misc lactones, chromones, and diterpenes were found in its composition. Important studies were developed with Hymenaea plants, and the research showed in this review justifies its traditional use for the treatment of several health problems. Among important medicinal plants, Hymenaea is a genus with a great chemical and pharmacological potential. New research data would improve the knowledge and the application of this genus, contributing to its safe use and the development of new medicinal alternatives.