Tarenaya longicarpa (Soares Neto & Roalson): Integrative Review on Pharmacological Activities and Use in Traditional Medicine
Luciano Temoteo dos Santos1, Olivia Caroline Maia de Moura2,Janaina de Souza Bezerra3, Dieferson Leandro de Souza1, José Walber Gonçalves Castro1, Maria Érika de Oliveira Silva3, Paula Patrícia Marques Cordeiro1, Severino Denicio Gonçalves de Sousa4, Flávio Silva Tampelini4, Luís Pereira-de-Morais1, Raniere Rodrigues da Silva1, Damiana Gonçalves de Sousa Freitas1, José Weverton Almeida-Bezerra1*, Antonio Rykelme Camilo Alcantara1, Marcos Aurélio Figueirêdo dos Santos1, Italo Mayke Alves de Souza Pinheiro3
1 Regional University of Cariri, Crato – CE, Brazil.
2 Federal University of Cariri – Crato – CE, Brazil.
3 Dr. Lea o Sampaio University Center, Juazeiro do Norte – CE, Brazil.
4 Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiaba – MT, Brazil.
*Corresponding Author: Prof. Dr. Jose Weverton Almeida-Bezerra, Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, 63105-000, Crato, CE, Brazil.
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOAMB.2025.06.002
Received: December 10, 2024
Published: January 30, 2025
Citation: Santos LT, Moura OCM, Bezerra JS, Souza DL, Castro JWG, Silva MEO, Cordeiro PPM, Sousa SDG, Tampelini FS, Pereira-de-Morais L, Silva RR, Freitas DGS, Almeida-Bezerra JW, Alcantara ARC, Santos MAF, Pinheiro IMAS. Tarenaya longicarpa (Soares Neto & Roalson): Integrative Review on Pharmacological Activities and Use in Traditional Medicine. SVOA Microbiology 2025, 6:1, 09-16. doi: 10.58624/SVOAMB.2025.06.002
Abstract
The Cleomaceae family, revised by Iltis and Cochrane, includes several genera, among them Tarenaya, whose pharmacological potential has been widely studied. This article reviews the medicinal and pharmacological properties of the species Tarenaya longicarpa (synonyms Cleome spinosa and Tarenaya spinosa), popularly known as mussambe , highlighting its uses in traditional and scientific medicine. In folk medicine, T. longicarpa is used to treat asthma, cough, bronchitis, fever, and inflammations. Studies confirm that its extracts possess anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and anthelmintic activities, as well as larvicidal and insecticidal properties. The plant contains secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and terpenes, which act against pathogenic microorganisms and have therapeutic relevance. The methodology involved a bibliographic review in scientific databases, using specific descriptors related to the species and its medicinal potential. The analysis of the articles revealed that the essential oil from the leaves significantly inhibits bacteria like Streptococcus pyogenes. However, the efficacy of the extracts varies depending on the solvent used. Although the scientific literature demonstrates the multiple uses of T. longicarpa and its relevance as a phytotherapeutic agent, the authors emphasize the need for further ethnobotanical and pharmacological research to deepen the understanding of its therapeutic properties and promote its safe and effective use.
Keywords: Cleomaceae, Mussambê, Cleome spinosa, Medicinal plant
