The Genus Guatteria (Annonaceae), Chemical Diversity of Essential Oils, and Their Pharmacological Potential

The Annonaceae family, which consists mainly of trees and shrubs, is one of the most diverse among the basal angiosperms and is widely represented in Brazilian flora. The genus Guatteria, commonly known as 'envira', is the most numerous, comprising around 280 described species. Several species of the genus have been traditionally used in folk medicine, as well as being the subject of phytochemical and pharmacological studies that demonstrate their therapeutic potential. This review aims to compile and analyze the existing scientific literature on the chemical composition and biological activities of Guatteria essential oils, focusing on their medicinal potential. This review highlights that essential oils from species of the genus exhibit promising activities related to antimicrobial and antitumor potential and was conducted through a bibliographic survey of databases such as SciELO, PubMed, Elsevier, and Google Scholar. Guatteria species exhibit remarkable bioactivity, justifying further research into their phytochemical and pharmacological properties and therapeutic applications, with the aim of developing safe and effective natural products.