Trends in the scientific literature on Stryphnodendron adstringens (Leguminosae): an important Brazilian medicinal tree

Abstract

Stryphnodendron adstringens, commonly known as “barbatimão”, is a native Brazilian savannah tree that has been long used in folk medicine due to its phytotherapy properties. The aim of the present study was to perform a scientometric analysis based on articles published in journals indexed in Web of Science database. Seventy publications on barbatimão were found and included in this scientometric research, most of which were published in English. The temporal trend analysis in the number of publications showed that the number of scientific articles about S. adstringens had increased significantly over the years. The papers found were published in 51 scientific journals, most of which are international. The main knowledge gaps relating to S. adstringens were in the fields of environmental sciences, evolutionary biology and genetics. The mains trends in barbatimão studies involves pharmacology pharmacy, forestry and medicinal chemistry. Tannin and medicinal plant were the most frequent keywords, showing its importance as a phytotherapeutic resource. Brazil was responsible for 92.96% of the knowledge about this species, obtained through scientific production. The analysis of the publications found made it possible to understand the current knowledge about the species S. adstringens.