Traditional use, phytoconstituents, and pharmacological effects of Persea americana: A recent review

Abstract

Persea americana is a native American plant most known as avocado, aguacate, abacate, or palta. It is considered a commercially valuable fruit tree cultivated worldwide for its rich oil content. It has various medicinal properties throughout the plant, including fruits, roots, leaves, and seeds. Conventionally, it has been used to treat malaria, obesity, urinary incontinence, and anemia, and protect against sunlight and skin diseases. However, as avocado is a plant species with worldwide knowledge, it is necessary to constantly review recently published articles, according to the topic of interest. Therefore, the objective of this review is to compile and discuss recent studies (2010–2024) on ethnomedicinal, pharmacological, and chemical information of P. americana. Articles were searched from the following electronic databases: Scopus (n = 62), ScienceDirect (n = 70), and PubMed (n = 194). Regarding the in vivo pharmacological effects, studies suggest potential benefits for diabetes, gastric ulcers, and others, likely due to reduced glucose levels. In vitro studies mainly focused on antioxidant/anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. These findings demonstrate a high diversity of pharmacological activities achievable with P. americana extracts through various administration forms (decoction, juice extract, and infusion) and plant parts. Overall, P. americana shows promise as an effective alternative treatment for various health issues.