Canela-de-urubu : uma revisão integrativa da literatura sobre a espécie Hypenia salzmannii em um período de 19 anos

Abstract

Introduction: Humanity has been using the pharmacological properties of plants since its inception. Studies have identified around 500 species of medicinal plants distributed across 112 families, one of the most extensive of which is the Lamiaceae family. Among the species in this family, one of the most important in its phytosociological context is Hypenia salzmannii, popularly known as canela-de-urubu, which is used in folk medicine to treat flu symptoms and respiratory diseases, native mainly to the Caatinga and Cerrado biomes. However, there is a scarcity of academic publications on it. Objective: Organize and analyze scientific knowledge about the species Hypenia salzmannii published between 2006 and 2025. Methodology: The PubMED, Science Direct, and SciELO platforms were used, and the academic works were evaluated according to the criteria established for the purpose of this integrative review. Results and discussion: After surveying and selecting the works for this review, 12 publications were selected and categorized into different types of academic studies, specifying the author, title, year of publication, and study objective. Based on the analysis of the publications, information was gathered on the pharmacological properties of cinnamon, with emphasis on its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Other activities observed were its antitumor and trypanocidal activities. In addition, Hypenol, a new lignan observed in the ethanolic extract of Hypenia salzmannii, was discovered. Conclusion: Canela-de-urubu is important in folk medicine, but there has been a scarcity of scientific research on it for almost two decades. It is used to treat respiratory diseases due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but it may also be used to treat other conditions given its trypanocidal, antitumor, cytotoxic, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. Therefore, in order to take advantage of the benefits that Hypenia salzmannii can offer for the development of new treatments, more research on the species and its secondary metabolites is needed.