Traditional knowledge and medicinal use of Chrysobalanus icaco L. in the treatment of diabetes in southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Chrysobalanus icaco L., “bajiru”, occurs in the Brazilian coastal plain. Its fruits and leaves have been consumed by artisanal fishing communities. Therefore, this study aims to: investigate the ethnobotanical knowledge about the bajiru in the restingas, in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); compare this knowledge with its potential registered in the literature; and expand the information related to the pharmacological potential for diabetes. The results showed that "bajiru" is still used in local medicine for the treatment of diabetes. Bibliographic studies show its effects on glucose metabolism. However, there is urgent concern about the conservation and maintenance of “bajiru” populations, the conservation plans for this species and the promotion of cultivation. Local experts highlighted their concern about the threat to this resource due to the loss of native vegetation and the predatory extraction of its native populations.