From Folk Medicine to Pharmacological Potential: Hymenaea spp. (Fabaceae)

Hymenaea spp. (Fabaceae), widely used in folk medicine, has been traditionally employed for treating fatigue, inflammatory, respiratory, and gastrointestinal disorders. Despite this, comprehensive evidence-based evaluations of its pharmacological potential remain scarce. A systematic review was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO through June 2025, following PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies included in vitro and in vivo investigations reporting phytochemical or pharmacological data. Two independent reviewers extracted the data, with a third resolving discrepancies. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. From 186 screened records, 17 studies met the inclusion criteria, underscoring the paucity of rigorous research. Of these, 88.2% (15 studies) were in vitro and 11.8% (2 studies) were in vivo. Phytochemical analyses identified flavonoids, triterpenes, procyanidins, xyloglucans, and caryophyllene oxide. Reported pharmacological activities included anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative effects. Notably, in vitro studies demonstrated biofilm inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus by xyloglucans. However, mechanistic pathways remain poorly defined. Hymenaea spp. exhibits promising pharmacological potential, but current evidence is limited by the scarcity of mechanistic studies and the absence of standardized clinical trials. Future work integrating metabolomics and advanced pharmacological models is needed to bridge traditional knowledge with modern evidence and to support therapeutic development.