MS Editions BOLETIN LATINOAMERICANO Y DEL CARIBE DE PLANTAS MEDICINALES Y AROMÁTICAS 19 (3): 247 - 288 (2020) © / ISSN 0717 7917 / www.blacpma.ms-editions.cl Revisión | Review Selaginellaceae: traditional use, phytochemistry and pharmacology [Selaginellaceae: uso tradicional, fitoquímica y farmacología] Fernanda Priscila Santos Reginaldo, Isabelly Cristina de Matos Costa & Raquel Brandt Giordani College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Department. University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil. Contactos | Contacts: Raquel Brandt GIORDANI - E-mail address:
[email protected] Abstract: Selaginella is the only genus from Selaginellaceae, and it is considered a key factor in studying evolution. The family managed to survive the many biotic and abiotic pressures during the last 400 million years. The purpose of this review is to provide an up-to-date overview of Selaginella in order to recognize their potential and evaluate future research opportunities. Carbohydrates, pigments, steroids, phenolic derivatives, mainly flavonoids, and alkaloids are the main natural products in Selaginella. A wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities, some of them pointed out by folk medicine, has been reported. Future studies should afford valuable new data on better explore the biological potential of the flavonoid amentoflavone and their derivatives as chemical bioactive entities; develop studies about toxicity and, finally, concentrate efforts on elucidate mechanisms of action for biological properties already reported. Keywords: Selaginella; Natural Products; Overview. Resumen: Selaginella es el único género de Selaginellaceae, y se considera un factor clave en el estudio de la evolución. La familia logró sobrevivir a las muchas presiones bióticas y abióticas durante los últimos 400 millones de años.