ANALYSIS OF THE THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF ANACARDIUM BARK OCCIDENTALE L. FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHYTOTHERAPEUTICS

The present study carried out a systematic review with the objective of evaluating the therapeutic potential of Anacardium occidentale L. (cashew tree), focusing on the use of the bark extract in the treatment of gastroenteropathies. The research was conducted on the SciELO, PubMed, Web of Science, and Virtual Health Library (VHL) platforms, using descriptors such as "Anacardium occidentale", "cajueiro", "dysentery", "ethanolic extract," and "bark", combined with Boolean operators "AND" and "OR". Articles published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish between 2019 and 2024 were included. In addition, technological prospecting was carried out in international patent databases such as the European Patent Office (EPO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), in addition to the national base of the National Intellectual Property Institute (INPI). The results revealed innovations focused on the use of cashew bark, with therapeutic potential for the treatment of dysentery and diarrhea, reinforcing the scientific and technological impact of this species in the field of phytotherapy. This study contributes to the valorization of Anacardium occidentale in the management of gastrointestinal diseases and highlights the importance of promoting policies that encourage the development of herbal medicines in Brazil.