Propriedades biológicas e potencial medicinal do Bacuri (Platonia insignis Mart.): uma revisão da literatura

Abstract

The Amazon biodiversity represents a relevant source of bioactive metabolites with potential medicinal applications, highlighting plant species that remain scientifically underexplored. In this context, Platonia insignis Mart., popularly known as bacuri, has attracted increasing interest due to its traditional use and the presence of bioactive compounds with promising pharmacological properties. This study aimed to conduct a narrative literature review on the biological properties and medicinal potential of extracts, fractions, and isolated compounds from P. insignis. A bibliographic search was performed in the PubMed, SciELO, and Scopus databases using descriptors related to the species and its biological activities, without time restriction, and original studies were selected according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results indicate that P. insignis exhibits a wide range of biological activities, mainly attributed to polyprenylated benzophenones, such as garcinielliptone FC, triterpenes like lupeol, and phenolic compounds. The main activities reported include antiparasitic, antifungal, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, and immunomodulatory effects, as well as the wound-healing and dermatological potential of bacuri butter and the metabolic and antioxidant activity of the fruit pulp. Overall, the findings demonstrate that P. insignis presents significant potential for the development of herbal medicines, new drugs, and bioproducts, in addition to adjuvant applications in the treatment of infectious, inflammatory, neurological, and metabolic diseases. However, most evidence is still based on preclinical studies, highlighting the need for controlled clinical trials to confirm efficacy and safety in humans.