Phytochemical diversity of uptodate species from Licania (Chrysobalanaceae): core Licania, Moquilea, Leptobalanus, Hymenopus, Microdesmia, Parinariopsis, Geobalanus, and Cordillera: a review

Abstract Licania belongs to the Chrysobalanaceae family (Malpighiales, Angiosperms). Predominantly found in the floodplain forests and savannas of the Guianas and the Amazon basin, this genus has been reclassified into eight distinct genera, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis, some of which now contain species that were previously assigned to Licania: Licania, Moquilea, Leptobalanus, Hymenopus, Microdesmia, Parinariopsis, Geobalanus and Cordillera. Despite their promising pharmacological potential, there is a significant lack of studies exploring their phytochemistry and biological activities. To bridge this gap, this review aimed at mapping the scientific evidence on their phytochemistry, highlighting bioactive compounds and their therapeutic applications. The results highlight a series of isolated compounds with remarkable pharmacological activities, including flavonoids such as kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin, and taxifolin derivatives, as well as triterpenoids like alphitolic, maslinic, betulinic, and pomolic acid derivatives. Therefore, the current study provides an updated view on the phytochemistry, and therapeutic applications related to the up-to-date circumscription of these eight genera and several species formerly known as Licania spp., as well as preserving a historical record of prior research and aligning it with the revised taxonomy, while underscoring the need for further primary studies to explore the therapeutic potential of these genera.