Kalanchoe brasiliensis Cambess and Kalanchoe pinnata (Lamark) Persoon (Crassulaceae): an updated review about ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology

The species Kalanchoe brasiliensis and Kalanchoe pinnata are native from Brazil and Madagascar, respectively; both belonging the Crassulaceae family and are widely used by population as a natural anti-inflammatory. These species have similar leaf morphology, and for this reason, they are known by the same popular name “saiao” or “coirama”. Several studies involving different parts and preparations of these species are available. Therefore, this review aims to provide an update overview about the traditional uses, chemical constitution, pharmacology and toxicology data of K. brasiliensis and K. pinnata species. An extensive literature review was conducted in different scientific databases. Various chemical constituents have been detected in extracts from different parts of K. brasiliensis e K. pinnata, being the majority flavonoids. The traditional uses are diverse, but mostly directed for the inflammation, microbial infection, pain, respiratory diseases, gastritis, ulcers, diabetes and cancer tumors treatments. Non-clinical in vitro assays evaluated mainly the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, while in vivo assays evaluated the leishmanicide, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. Regarding toxicity, few studies have been conducted for the two species. Therefore, the information reported in this work contributes to recognizing the importance of the K. brasiliensis and K. pinnata species and direct new studies.