Phytochemicals and biological activities of mutamba (Guazuma ulmifolia Lam.): A review

Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. (Malvaceae), popularly known as mutamba and guacimo, is a tree found in the Latina America, especially in Brazil and Mexico. Mutamba tree has been used as traditional medicine to treat several pathological conditions, such as diarrhoea, coughs, and gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders. Phytochemical studies on this plant have resulted in the discovery of secondary metabolites that have shown bioactivities, including antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, antioxidant, and antidiarrheal activities, and cardioprotective effect. The traditional uses of G. ulmifolia have been experimentally proved by in vitro and in vivo studies, in which its bioactivities were associated to its phytochemical composition, mainly proanthocyanidins dimer B and trimer C (condensed tannins). The current review assesses and summarizes the progress about the phytochemical and healthy properties of G. ulmifolia published until 2019. This review intends to present the current knowledge and perspectives about G. ulmifolia and its potential use as food and therapeutic plant.