Análisis de las características fitoquímicas, propiedades farmacológicas, usos y aplicaciones más comunes de la Chilca (Baccharis latifolia) en el Ecuador

Abstract

The need to find new products to treat common pathologies such as colds, muscle aches, colic and more, has driven the population to use medicinal plants due to their easy access, especially in rural populations. This has placed Baccharis latifolia in a source of research on all the properties and benefits that can be obtained from it. The objective of this research was to analyze the most common phytochemical characteristics, pharmacological properties, uses and applications of B. latifolia in Ecuador, evaluating the phytochemical compounds in the mixture of aqueous extracts and essential oils. The information was compiled from 80 scientific articles according to the theme and that were available in different databases with foundations that contribute to the development of the bibliographic review. In this review, the functional groups present in this species are described together with the secondary metabolites identified in the phytochemical screening. Limonene and germacrene D are the most representative compounds of this shrub which, together with the other 28 substances, give B. latifolia anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer and analgesic properties. In turn, they are also used in a traditional way by the Ecuadorian and Latin American populations for the relief of colic, diarrhea, blows, wounds and sprains.