Picrasma crenata Engl. in Engl. & Prantl

Abstract

Picrasma crenata Engl. in Engl. & Prantl, Simaroubaceae, is a dioecius tree, native to the South of Brazil and North Argentina. Its wood is used as a drug for the treatment of diabetes and pediculosis; these biological activities are partially validated by in vivo assays. It contains a variety of triterpenic bitter compounds, known as quassinoids, which are – at least – partially responsible for its pharmacological activities. Further studies are required for the validation of the underlying pharmacological mechanisms that account for its hypoglycemic activity and its phytochemical normalization.