Pharmacological potential of Apocynaceae plants and associated endophytes in Brazil

Yuyama, K.T.; da Silva, M.H.; Schmidt, T.J.; Pupo, M.T.

Abstract

The plant family Apocynaceae (order Gentianales) is mainly distributed in tropical regions and characterized for its abundant occurrence of latex and the richness of alkaloids with pharmacological potential. Despite extensive studies on the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of many Brazilian Apocynaceae species, limited information is available regarding their endophytic microorganisms associated. This review focuses on the pharmacological potential of the Brazilian Apocynaceae plants and their endophytes, especially the genera Aspidosperma, Calotropis and Hancornia, given their significant medical and economic importance in Brazil. In total, 298 papers were analyzed from 1957–2023 in Scopus and Google scholar databases, according to the following criteria: i) the isolated compounds must be from Apocynaceae plants collected in Brazil and ii) the endophytes must be also isolated from Brazilian Apocynaceae plants. The majority of reports described mainly antiplasmodial (Aspidosperma) and anti-inflammatory activities (Calotropis and Hancornia) both in vitro and in vivo. The endophytic filamentous fungi found in the seeds, barks and leaves from Brazilian Apocynaceae plants include species from genera, such as Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Chaetomium, Fusarium, Penicillium, Pestalotiopsis, Phomopsis and Trichoderma. Antifungal and antibacterial activities were the pharmacological properties observed with the extracts of endophytes. However, the bioactive compounds produced by the endophytes remain unknown, highlighting the importance of more studies in this field in Brazil. This is particularly crucial given that the Apocynaceae plants are spread in all Brazilian regions representing a promising source for the discovery of novel pharmacologically active natural products produced by host plants and associated endophytic microbiota.