The Genus Ruiz & Pav. (Melastomataceae): Ethnomedicinal Uses, Pharmacology, and Phytochemistry.

Species of the genus are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases, such as pain, throat infections, fever, and cold, and they used as depuratives, diuretics, and sedatives. This work reviewed studies carried out with species, highlighting its ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological and phytochemical potential. This information was collected in the main platforms of scientific research (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science). Our findings show that some of the traditional uses of are corroborated by biological and/or pharmacological assays, which demonstrated, among other properties, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimutagenic, antiparasitic, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities. A total of 148 chemical compounds were identified in species, with phenolic compounds being the main constituents found in the species of this genus. Such phytochemical investigations have demonstrated the potential of species belonging to this genus as a source of bioactive substances, thus reinforcing their medicinal and pharmacological importance.