Structural diversity and biological potential of secondary metabolites of species of Myroxylon L.f. (Fabaceae): a review of the literature

ABSTRACT Chemical compounds with biological activities isolated from plant and used by the population through extracts and essential oils are promising sources of prospection for new drugs. The genus Myroxylon L. f. showed high pharmacological potential being used in popular medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as wounds, colds, ulcers, headache, and ear infections. This review article presents the main phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics of the species of Myroxylon (M. peruiferum L.f., M. balsamum (L.) Harms and M. pereirae (Royle) Klotzsch), whose studies of biological activities are promising.