The medicinal properties and healing role of South American mangroves

Mangroves play fundamental roles in global wetland ecosystems, providing numerous benefits to society and the environment. This unique species is also utilised for its medicinal properties in traditional and modern medicine due to its remarkable phytochemistry and biological activities. Numerous studies have attempted to record the medicinal applications of mangroves from different perspectives. However, there is currently no review that accounts for the medicinal properties and therapeutic significance of South American mangroves. We conducted a comprehensive review of over 145 relevant scholarly articles found through formal searches of local and global literature and citation databases to examine the distribution and morphological characteristics of South American mangroves. We also compiled their medicinal utilisation and highlighted the existing literature gaps and future research priorities. Our findings identified eleven primary mangrove species that have extensive uses to treat several ailments, including wounds, snakebites, worm infections, asthma, constipation, diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer’s disease. Secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, tannins, saponins, sterols, and alkaloids, were also identified in these species, which have shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, antioxidant, anthelmintic, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-fertility, anticancer, analgesic, anti-tumour, and antimicrobial properties. While the documentation of the medicinal properties of certain mangrove species is lacking in South America, our findings support their potential applications for future research advancements in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries through continued research on their toxicity levels and bioactive mechanisms. Within this contention, our review also underscores the necessity for the conservation and preservation of these forests for their continued benefits to mankind.