Phytochemical constitution and pharmacological effects of Genipa americana L. (Rubiaceae): a review

Abstract Genipa americana L., popularly known as “jenipapo”, is a species easily found, especially in northeastern Brazil. It is remarkable for having iridoids in its composition. Popular for its blue pigment which has been used to manufacture paints and dyes. Furthermore, this plant is utilized for...

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Main Authors: S. P. B. Franco, J. A. Silva, I. C. Barreto, S. P. M. Costa, A. L T. F. Borges, T. G. Nascimento, J. C. Silva, A. F. Santos, L. A. Rolim, J. R. G. S. Almeida
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Instituto Internacional de Ecologia 2025-03-01
Series:Brazilian Journal of Biology
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Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1519-69842025000100146&lng=en&tlng=en
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author S. P. B. Franco
J. A. Silva
I. C. Barreto
S. P. M. Costa
A. L T. F. Borges
T. G. Nascimento
J. C. Silva
A. F. Santos
L. A. Rolim
J. R. G. S. Almeida
author_facet S. P. B. Franco
J. A. Silva
I. C. Barreto
S. P. M. Costa
A. L T. F. Borges
T. G. Nascimento
J. C. Silva
A. F. Santos
L. A. Rolim
J. R. G. S. Almeida
author_sort S. P. B. Franco
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Genipa americana L., popularly known as “jenipapo”, is a species easily found, especially in northeastern Brazil. It is remarkable for having iridoids in its composition. Popular for its blue pigment which has been used to manufacture paints and dyes. Furthermore, this plant is utilized for medicinal purposes in addressing a variety of illnesses. This review provide a comprehensive picture of the phytochemical and biological activities characteristics of Genipa americana L. deal with its ethnomedicinal use and botany based on literature reports. These researches pointed out a range of secondary metabolites with iridoids being the most prevalent and abundant. Until now, the biological tests have shown important pharmacological activities, especially the antioxidant, insecticide and antibacterial activities. Besides presenting itself in a very promising way in other areas such as food and cosmetics industry, it is also used in popular medicine to treat several diseases having this potential use disseminated in its various parts. Finally, for a better analysis and validation of its health benefits and properties, extensive research is needed, including clinical trials. The information gathered and approached in this paper might support the planning and discussion of future studies on the topic.
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spelling doaj-art-341eb4ddb6b9453ca6627769b44360222025-08-20T03:17:14ZengInstituto Internacional de EcologiaBrazilian Journal of Biology1678-43752025-03-018510.1590/1519-6984.286031Phytochemical constitution and pharmacological effects of Genipa americana L. (Rubiaceae): a reviewS. P. B. Francohttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-2285-6956J. A. Silvahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-1294-7555I. C. Barretohttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6144-8181S. P. M. Costahttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0055-1219A. L T. F. Borgeshttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5934-2652T. G. Nascimentohttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3856-8764J. C. Silvahttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3098-1885A. F. Santoshttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6049-9446L. A. Rolimhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-2403-1026J. R. G. S. Almeidahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0867-1357Abstract Genipa americana L., popularly known as “jenipapo”, is a species easily found, especially in northeastern Brazil. It is remarkable for having iridoids in its composition. Popular for its blue pigment which has been used to manufacture paints and dyes. Furthermore, this plant is utilized for medicinal purposes in addressing a variety of illnesses. This review provide a comprehensive picture of the phytochemical and biological activities characteristics of Genipa americana L. deal with its ethnomedicinal use and botany based on literature reports. These researches pointed out a range of secondary metabolites with iridoids being the most prevalent and abundant. Until now, the biological tests have shown important pharmacological activities, especially the antioxidant, insecticide and antibacterial activities. Besides presenting itself in a very promising way in other areas such as food and cosmetics industry, it is also used in popular medicine to treat several diseases having this potential use disseminated in its various parts. Finally, for a better analysis and validation of its health benefits and properties, extensive research is needed, including clinical trials. The information gathered and approached in this paper might support the planning and discussion of future studies on the topic.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1519-69842025000100146&lng=en&tlng=enjenipappharmacological activityphytochemicalgeniposidesiridoids
spellingShingle S. P. B. Franco
J. A. Silva
I. C. Barreto
S. P. M. Costa
A. L T. F. Borges
T. G. Nascimento
J. C. Silva
A. F. Santos
L. A. Rolim
J. R. G. S. Almeida
Phytochemical constitution and pharmacological effects of Genipa americana L. (Rubiaceae): a review
Brazilian Journal of Biology
jenipap
pharmacological activity
phytochemical
geniposides
iridoids
title Phytochemical constitution and pharmacological effects of Genipa americana L. (Rubiaceae): a review
title_full Phytochemical constitution and pharmacological effects of Genipa americana L. (Rubiaceae): a review
title_fullStr Phytochemical constitution and pharmacological effects of Genipa americana L. (Rubiaceae): a review
title_full_unstemmed Phytochemical constitution and pharmacological effects of Genipa americana L. (Rubiaceae): a review
title_short Phytochemical constitution and pharmacological effects of Genipa americana L. (Rubiaceae): a review
title_sort phytochemical constitution and pharmacological effects of genipa americana l rubiaceae a review
topic jenipap
pharmacological activity
phytochemical
geniposides
iridoids
url http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1519-69842025000100146&lng=en&tlng=en
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