Cissampelos genus: biological activities, ethnobotanical and phytochemical aspects

Species of Cissampelos (Menispermaceae) are widely used in folk medicine in various cultures, for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases. Several ethnobotanical studies have reported the use of these species, which, among other benefits, instigated further researches on several pharmacological properties and biologically active compounds present in species of the genus. The objective of this review is to compile and update information about the ethnobotanical, phytochemical and biological studies of species of the Cissampelos genus. Among the officially accepted species, C. pareira, C. mucronata and C. sympodialis were the most reported in all aspects of the research. Their immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiallergic and antimicrobial properties have already been established. Evidently, a considerable part of these bioactivities is due to the presence of alkaloids, the main constituents of Cissampelos species. Other natural products such as essential oils, fixed oils, pectins, alcamides, polysaccharides and flavonoids have also been reported. Future investigations on Cissampelos species are necessary, especially regarding pharmacological properties, isolation of substances, mechanism of action and bioavailability in order to provide subsidies for the development of new drugs.