Vatairea Genus as a Potential Therapeutic Agent-A Comprehensive Review of Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Properties

The Vatairea genus (Fabaceae family) is widespread in the Amazon rainforest. Some species of this genus are known for their ethnobotanical significance and biological potential. The present study explores the pharmacological and promising therapeutic activities, ethnobotanical profile, and phytochemical prospection of Vatairea sp., a monophyletic group of flowering plants, which includes economically and culturally important genera due to their diverse uses, including medicinal applications. V. lundellii, V. guianensis, V. erythrocarpa, V. fusca, V. heteroptera, V. paraensis, V. sericea, and V. macrocarpa are included in the Vatairea sp., also recognized for its high wood quality and potential medicinal properties. Studies show significant antibacterial activity in V. guianensis extracts against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, whereas V. macrocarpa lectin exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial effects, including modulation of antibiotic resistance. Additionally, V. macrocarpa and V. guianensis have demonstrated antifungal properties, with compounds like Vatacarpan exhibiting potent activity against Candida sp. In vivo studies highlight the neurotoxic effects of V. macrocarpa lectin, suggesting a dual role in the central nervous system. Despite these findings, research on Vatairea's toxicological aspects is limited, with only a few studies on V. macrocarpa and V. guianensis extracts indicating a need for further exploration of this genus' pharmacological and therapeutic potential.