Selected Edible Plant Species Occurring in and Utilized Throughout Cabo Verde as Sources of Dermatologically Relevant Compounds: An Ethnobotanically Grounded Review of Preclinical and Clinical Evidence

Skin diseases represent a growing global health challenge and continue to stimulate interest in safe, sustainable, and evidence-based dermatological interventions. In the present review, Cabo Verde is used as an ethnobotanical and biogeographical framework rather than as a source of strictly endemic dermatological plants. We focused on selected edible plant species occurring in and utilized throughout Cabo Verde, including native, naturalized, and cultivated taxa that are integrated into local food systems and traditional healthcare practices. Species were included only when they fulfilled the following criteria: a documented occurrence in Cabo Verde, recognized edible use, available phytochemical characterization, and at least one peer-reviewed study reporting dermatologically relevant biological activity. Literature identified through structured searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were critically evaluated, with emphasis placed on phytochemistry, biological activity, safety considerations, evidence level, and translational relevance. The reviewed species, mainly from the genera Psidium, Syzygium, Eugenia, Artocarpus, Ficus, Morus, and Passiflora, have been associated with wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, photoprotective, anti-aging, and skin-regenerative effects. Nevertheless, the available evidence remains dominated by in vitro and animal studies, whereas controlled human investigations are scarce. Accordingly, these species should be regarded as promising sources of dermatologically relevant compounds rather than as clinically validated dermatological therapies.