Sideroxylon Obtusifolium (Roem. & Schult.) TD Penn: Knowledge and Potentialities

Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Roem.& Schult.) T.D. Penn, also popularly known as 'quixabeira', is a medicinal species characterized by thorny deciduous vegetation, a short trunk, whitish flowers with a sweet aroma, glabrous leaves, and succulent fruits with seeds. The objectives of this review were to compile and evaluate the literature on quixabeira published over the last fifteen years and to explore the potential applications of each part of the tree. The results of these studies are promising. Studies have shown that the chemical composition of S. obtusifolium extracts varies depending on the plant part and the solvent used, with maceration and immersion being the most common techniques, especially for leaves. Methanol and ethanol are the most commonly used solvents to identify compounds such as phenolics, saponins, terpenoids, alkaloids, and glycolipids. The biological activity of the polyphenols present in the leaf extracts demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antinociceptive, and antimicrobial properties in vitro. In the fruits, extraction is still limited. However, it allows for the identification of carotenoids (47.21 μg/g of β-carotene), flavonoids (55.99 mg of quercetin/100 g), and anthocyanins (58.68 mg/100 g), all of which have nutritional and technological potential. Ethnopharmacological studies indicate that the species is recognized by rural communities, which utilize various parts of the plant for food, medicinal, veterinary, technological, and construction purposes. However, further studies on physicochemical, nutritional, toxicological, and pharmacological composition are needed to ensure safety and validate its biological properties.