Ethnobotanical Survey of Cerrado Plants Used as Antihypertensives for the Elderly in Rondonópolis, MT, Brazil

This study aimed to investigate the traditional use of medicinal plants for hypertension treatment by elderly communities in Rondonópolis-MT, Brazil. Ethnobotany studies the aspects by plant utilization by societies, encompassing principally the medicinal utility. Consequently, it helps in the development bioactive natural products. This ethnobotanical study was focused medicinal plants to the Cerrado, as used by elderly in Rondonópolis-MT, Brazil for hypertension treatment. Initially, two institutions supporting elderly in Rondonópolis were chosen: Recanto do Idosos and the Associação de Apoio à Terceira Idade. A questionnaire, comprising open and closed questions covering personal data, general plant-use information, and knowledge about species with anti-hypertensive properties, was used. Plants cited as anti-hypertensive and originating from the Cerrado were collected and submitted for taxonomic classification. A total of 41 elderly participated in the study, with 60.08% women, and 39.02% having incomplete elementary education. Notably, mothers played a prominent role, accounting for approximately 38.71% of the influence on plant use. Among the respondents, 58.06% believed that plants exhibit a moderate effect, while 100% claimed that plants do not cause adverse effects, and 93.5% affirmed the transmission of this knowledge to younger generations. In conclusion, 11 medicinal plants with anti-hypertensive activity were identified, with only 4 classified as belonging to the Cerrado post-bibliographic research. Following collection and botanical classification, the scientific names obtained were: Costus arabicus L.; Solanum paniculatum L.; Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. Ex Mart.; and Bixa orellana L. The limited number of plants mentioned raises concerns about the potential loss of traditional knowledge about plant among elderly. Hence, undertaking new ethnobotanical investigations becomes crucial for documenting this culturally significant knowledge.