Phytochemical and pharmacological potential of amazonian species

a comparative analysis of Dialium guianense and Minquartia guianensis

Abstract

Amazonian biodiversity constitutes important source of secondary metabolites with potential for pharmacological and biotechnological applications. In this context, the present study aimed to provide an integrative literature review on the phytochemical and pharmacological potential of the species Dialium guianense (Fabaceae) and Minquartia guianensis (Coulaceae), gathering and comparing evidence at the species, genus, and family levels. Bibliographic searches were conducted in the Google Scholar, SciELO, and CAPES Periodicals Portal databases, considering publications published between 2020 to 2025 encompassing experimental studies, reviews, and academic works that addressed phytochemical, anatomical, and biological aspects of these taxa. The initial search resulted in 58 articles, 38 related to the genus Dialium and 20 to the genus Minquartia. The results showed significant differences in the degree of scientific depth between the species analyzed. The species M. guianensis presents a more consolidated body of evidence, with isolation and structural identification of secondary metabolites, especially triterpenes, steroids, and phenolic compounds, in addition to experimental confirmation of antibacterial, antimalarial, and antioxidant activities. In contrast, D. guianense remains poorly explored, with data mainly concentrated on anatomical and histochemical analyses, with no records of isolation of specific compounds. At the genus and family level, it was observed that, although Fabaceae is widely studied, there are important gaps in the knowledge of Amazonian species, while Coulaceae presents more targeted phytochemical investigations, despite its low taxonomic diversity. The results reinforce the need to expand experimental studies with D. guianense, aiming to validate its therapeutic potential and contribute to the sustainable use of Amazonian biodiversity.