Bauhinia Linnaeus: an overview of the chemistry and bioactivity of essential oils

Abstract

Bauhinia genus comprises 300 diferent species distributed in tropical and subtropical forests. Infusions of some species have been frequently used in folk medicine to treat several ailments, especially diabetes. Studies are focused on the extracts and little is reported about their essential oils. This review aims to compile data about the chemical composition and biological activities of essential oils from diferent species of the genus Bauhinia, in order to show the potential of these oils, since they have a rich composition in terpenoids, with emphasis on sesquiterpenes and diterpenes, which have a broad spectrum of biological actions and can be explored in various application areas.