Pharmacological effects of essential oils of plants of the Northeast of Brazil

RESUMO

The authors have reviewed the pharmacological studies done with essential oils obtained in the state of Ceará, in Northeast of Brazil, from 25 species of aromatic plants, some of which are native to the phytogeographic semiarid region characteristic of the Northeast, the "caatingas". These studies have dealt with the effect of these oils on muscle contraction and with their antisopasmodic, analgesic, antiinflammatory, anticonvulsant and antibacterial activity. The essential oils of the medicinal species have shown activity coherent with the use of these plants in folk medicine. The review is aimed primarily at summarizing the information relevant for a critical evaluation of the perspectives and potential of these oils as pharmacological and therapeutic agents.