Scientific and Technical Insights into Hancornia speciosa Gomes for Biotechnological Applications

Abstract

Hancornia speciosa Gomes (H. speciosa) is present in several regions of Brazil. It is a plant traditionally used in the treatment of various diseases. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of scientific publications and patents related to H. speciosa, emphasizing its primary applications and potential utility. For scientific prospection, an extensive search for relevant publications was carried out in the Scopus database. For technological prospection, the Instituto Nacional de Propriedade Intelectual (INPI) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) databases were utilized. Research on H. speciosa spans across multiple domains, including agronomy, gastronomy, technology, and pharmaceuticals, revealing the identification of numerous pharmacologically interesting compounds, such as rutin, chlorogenic acid, bornesitol, and various triterpenes, such as Lupeol, α- and β-amyrin, and their respective acetates. Regarding patents, there is a notable emphasis on gastronomic applications, with only a limited number of patents dedicated to technological and health-related areas. The increasing interest in H. speciosa is evident from the various studies investigating the biological properties of its compounds, such as anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, and antidiabetic actions. Additionally, there is significant potential for further exploration and advancement of research in the pharmaceutical and technological sectors.

1. Introduction

Brazil has great biodiversity, containing 55,000 plant species, which represent 22% of the planet’s species [1]. In addition to their importance for the ecosystem, plant products have applications in the health area, where plants in natura or drug formulations with plant extracts are used for therapeutic purposes. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 80% of the world’s population uses traditional medicines, such as plant extracts and phytochemicals [2].

In Brazil, different species of plants are traditionally used for wound healing due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Among these, mangabeira (Hancornia speciosa Gomes), a medium-sized arboreal plant of the Apocynaceae family, has potential for different biotechnological applications. H. speciosa is a medium-sized tree, has irregular crowns, twisted trunks and smooth and reddish branches, usually characterized by greater vegetative growth at high temperature and annual precipitation between 750 and 1600 mm. The plant prefers poor to sandy soil, blooms twice a year, between April and May and then again between October and December [3]. Its inflorescence is white in color and includes one to seven petals. The fruits (locally named mangaba) are very popular, consumed either in their natural form or as juice, ice cream, popsicles, jelly and liqueur [4] (Figure 1).

As pointed out by Da Silva Júnior et al. [7], this species is present in several regions of Brazil, with a wide distribution in the cerrado, coastal plateaus and plains. Mangabeira also occurs in Paraguay, Bolivia and Peru. In Brazil, the state of Paraíba shows the highest fruit production (882 tons), followed by the state of Sergipe (457 tons), Minas Gerais (259 tons), Bahia (238 tons) and Alagoas (182 tons) [8] (Figure 2).

Among its applications in folk medicine, the use of the species stands out for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, vasodilator, antihypertensive, antidiabetic and cytotoxic properties [3,9]. Recent studies have identified that the bark, leaves, fruit and latex of Hancornia speciosa contain compounds that have anti-inflammatory [4,10,11,12,13], antihypertensive [14,15,16,17,18] and antidiabetic activities [18,19,20,21]. These studies focused on knowledge, use and management of mangaba in an extractive community on the coast of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, and reported that 52.54% of people interviewed used mangaba for medicinal purposes [22]. They also informed that the knowledge about the use of this species as food, medicinal and commercial source was well spread locally.

Based on reports of its wide applications in folk medicine, this review aims to track and compile information on this species in scientific articles published over the last 10 years and identify and describe the patents deposited in the patent databases, this way also updating previous review articles with new studies. This scientific and technological prospection on H. speciosa can be divided into three main parts. The first part describes the scientific advancement in the last 10 years, followed by a Section describing the biological activities and major compounds, and a final Section including an analysis of the patents deposited.

2. Materials and Methods

Initially, a search was performed in the Scopus database. The keywords used for the selection of articles were “Hancornia”, “speciosa” and “Mangabeira” present in the “title, abstracts or as keywords”, aiming to identify the most discussed topics associated with Hancornia speciosa in the last 11 years. For technological prospection, Instituto Nacional de Propriedade Intelectual (INPI, https://www.gov.br/inpi/pt-br, accessed on 10 August 2025) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO, https://www.wipo.int/patentscope/en/, accessed on 10 August 2025), databases were searched using the keywords “Hancornia”, “speciosa” and “Mangaba”.

A bibliometric map using the software VOSviewer (version 1.6.17) was constructed to identify the main research topics related to the studied species. The type of analysis “co-occurrence” and the analysis “Author Keywords” were selected, using “Full counting” as the counting method. The “thesaurus” file was also used to unify repeated keywords. For the analysis, the number of keywords were limited to a minimum number of occurrences of two repetitions, resulting in a total of 51 keywords used.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Scientific Advancement

The search in the Scopus database resulted in 204 published articles between 2013 and 2024; however, 11 articles were excluded because they were not related to the topic, totaling 193 articles, of which 182 were original research articles and 11 were review articles. From the 182 original research articles, those not addressing biological properties were excluded. Consequently, 30 studies that fulfilled this inclusion criterion were used in this review.

Figure 3 shows the number of publications over the selected years. As shown in Figure 3, an increase in publications on H. speciosa was identified in 2015 (19 published articles), reaching the highest number of publications in 2022 (25 published articles). Between the years 2013 and 2024, the article that received the highest number of citations was the study by Ribeiro et al. [23], which aimed to identify and document species of medicinal plants used by local experts, who understand the uses of medicinal plants, from riverine communities in North Araguaia, a microregion in Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Different parts of H. speciosa, such as bark, leaves, fruits and latex, are cited in this report for ethnomedicinal use in the treatment of infections, metabolic diseases, diseases of the nervous system, eyes and ocular appendages, circulatory diseases, digestive, musculoskeletal, genitourinary systems, clinical alterations and external injuries.

The review by Almeida et al. [24], highlights the growing economic and scientific interest in H. speciosa, primarily driven by the commercialization of its fruit and the pharmacological potential of its natural compounds. Despite this interest, scientific output on the species remains limited. This article is focused on a review of the scientific literature. It does not include any references to patents or industrial property.

The review conducted by Morais et al. [25] highlights the ecological and economic importance of H. speciosa, a native fruit tree predominantly found in the Brazilian Cerrado and parts of Northeast Brazil. It presents a comprehensive overview of the species’ biology, distribution, and the considerable nutritional and pharmacological value of its fruit, which is increasingly appreciated both locally and by the agro-industrial sector. However, despite its potential, the species faces significant threats from habitat degradation. This review places emphasis on the analysis of aspects related to biology, ecology, exploitation potential, and conservation.

In a recent review article by Nunes et al. [26] it is mentioned that H. speciosa emerges as a significant nutritional resource with considerable biotechnological potential and bioeconomic relevance. Although scientific publications on H. speciosa are growing, the development of biotechnological products based on this species remains limited. Unlike the study by Nunes et al., our work specifically focuses on the triterpenes found in the plant extract.

The studies by Almeida et al. [24], Morais et al. [25] and Nunes et al. [26] addressed economic, ecological, nutritional and biotechnological aspects of H. speciosa. However, there is still a gap in the investigation of the bioactivity of its secondary metabolites, especially in the correlation between the different extraction methods and the efficiency in obtaining bioactive compounds, limiting the advancement of applications in the pharmacological, biotechnological and technological areas.

Figure 4 shows the results of bibliometric analysis. The size of the circle is proportional to the number of publications in which the keywords occur and the distance between the keywords represent the relationship between them. It is possible to notice the presence of keywords referring to the fact that the species is native in certain Brazilian regions, in addition to the words, such as “conservation”, “germination” and “ISSR” (Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat), pointing to studies focused on the evaluation of genetic diversity and development of conservation strategies for the species. Other terms identified include keywords referring to medicinal plants, in addition to studies focused on their anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant activity, flavonoid compounds, such as rutin or polyphenol chlorogenic acid.

3.2. Biological Activity

Among the 182 original research articles identified, we specifically focused on studies that utilized extraction methods, employing solvents known for their efficacy in isolating bioactive compounds. Furthermore, emphasis was placed on studies investigating pharmacological activities of these compounds, ensuring that the chosen publications provide meaningful insights into their biological properties.

Table 1. Studies focusing on anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antioxidant and anti-diabetic actions.

Application	Reference	Plant Parts	Extraction Method	Solvents	Analytical Method	Main Compounds Identifies
Anti-inflammatory	Torres-Rêgo et al. [10]	Fruits	Decoction	Hot water, 100 °C 1:10, plant/solvent	HPLC-DAD; LC-MS	Chlorogenic acid; Rutin
	Bitencourt et al. [11]	Fruits	Decoction	Hot water, 100 °C 1:10, plant/solvent	Not identified	Not identified
	Reis et al. [4]	Fruits	Did not perform extraction	Did not use	Not used	Not identified
	Yamashita et al. [12]	Fruits (juice)	Turboextraction	Purified water, 1:1, plant/solvent	HPLC-DAD-MS/MS	13 phenolic derivatives
	Pegorin et al. [13]	Latex	Latex was centrifuged at 8000× g	Sterilized with ethylene oxide	Not used	Not identified
	D’abadia et al. [27]	Latex	Centrifuged at 4 °C for 1 h at 22,000× g	Did not use	Not used	Not identified
	Martins et al. [28]	Latex	Latex centrifugado a 3000× g	Água/látex (1:1)	Not used	Not identified
	Bitencourt et al. [29]	Fruits	Aqueous extract	Aqueous and solvent extractions with dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol	Not used	Rutin, chlorogenic acid
Antihypertensive	Silva et al. [14]	Leaves	Percolation	96% EtOH	Not used	Not identified
	Bastos et al. [30]	Leaves	Maceration	Ethanol/water (70:30, v/v)	UHPLC Orbitrap-HRMS	Phenolic derivatives
	Moreira et al. [15]	Leaves	Percolation	96% EtOH	UPLC-ESI-MS	Bornesitol
	Moreira et al. [16]	Leaves	Did not perform extraction	Did not use	UPLC-MS/MS	Bornesitol
	Pereira et al. [18]	Leaves	Maceration e percolation	96% EtOH; 70% Ethanol; 50% Ethanol; ethyl acetate/methanol	HPLC-PDA; UPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS	Rutin, chlorogenic acid, Bornesitol, 3-O-β-(3′-R-hydroxy)-hexadecanoil-lupeol
Antioxidant	De Lima et al. [31]	Fruits	Centrifuge tubes and extracted sequentially	40 mL of methanol/water (50:50, v/v); 40 mL of acetone/water (70: 30, v/v)	GCMS–QP	Alcohols (25.00%), aldehydes (25.00%), terpenes (19.44%), other compounds (19.44%), esters (8.34%); ketones (2.78%)
	Lima Neto et al. [32]	bark, leaves	Maceration	Ethyl alcohol (90%)	Did not use	Not identified
	Santos et al. [33]	Leaves	Maceration	Ethanol 96% (1:10)	HPLC-DAD-MS/MS	Quinic acid, Chlorogenic acid, Catechin, Rutin, Isoquercetin
	Penido et al. [34]	Bark	Maceration	Ethanol 70%	Did not use	Phenols and flavonoids
	Dutra et al. [35]	Fruits	Ultrasonic bath	Methanol/water (50:50, v/v)	HPLC	Phenolic derivatives
	Dos Santos et al. [36]	Leaves	Maceration	Ethanol 96% (1:10)	GC-FID	Catechin, Rutin, Isoquercetin
	Maia et al. [37]	Fruits	Low pressure extractions (Cold maceration, ultrasound-assisted and Soxhlet); supercritical fluid extraction	Water, ethanol and n-hexane	CG/FID	Tetradecanal, a-amyrin, trans-oleic acids, palmitic and stearic acids, p-xylene, hap-22(29)-en-beta-ol
	De Araújo et al. [38]	Fruits	Maceration	Ethyl alcohol (1:5, m.v−1)	Did not use	Did not identify
	Barbosa et al. [39]	Leaves	Pressurized liquid extraction	Hexane, ethyl acetate and, ethanol/water	HPLC	Rutin, L-(+)-bornesitol, quinic acid, chlorogenic acid, and kaempferol
	Santos et al. [40]	Fruits	Ultrasound	5 g of pulp with 100 mL of methanol/water solvent (9:1, v/v)	HPLC-DAD	Rutin, ferulic acid and chlorogenic acid
	Almeida et al. [41]	Pulp	Dilution	Water (1/1,5)	HPLC	2.5 dihydroxybenzoic, gallic, 3.4 dihydroxybenzoic, salicylic, caffeic, and vanillic, as well as flavonoids, such as catechin and rutin
	Santos et al. [42]	Fruits	Did not perform extraction	Did not use	Did not use	Vitamin C, rutin and chlorogenic acid (majority)
	Panontin et al. [43]	Leaves	Soxhlet and ultrasound-assisted extraction	70% ethanol	HPLC	Catechin, quercetin, p-coumaric acid, isorhamnetin and morin, rosmarinic acid
	Jácome et al. [44]	Mangaba residue	Solid-liquid extraction	500 mL of ethanol solution (1:1 v v−1)	Did not use	Did not identify
Antidiabetic	Pereira et al. [19]	Leaves	Percolation	96% ethanol, with fraction of different solvents	ESI–LC–MS	Quinic acid, rutin
	Neto et al. [20]	Leaves	Decoction	Water (1 L) w/60 g of sample	Did not use	Did not identify
	Tomazi et al. [21]	Latex	Ultrasound-assisted extraction	Methanol	HPTLC	Cornoside, dihydrocornoide, and bornesitol

lists the studies with H. speciosa focusing on anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antioxidant and anti-diabetic actions, also indicating whenever possible the extractive and analytical methods, and the compounds identified.

According to the conducted survey, studies related to the various applications of H. speciosa typically employ bioactive compound extraction methods, such as aqueous extraction and organic solvents, following standardized procedures in medicinal and food plant research. Many studies involve similar chemical analyses, such as chromatographic techniques (HPLC-DAD-MS/MS, UPLC-ESI-MS) for compound characterization and evaluation of bioactive activities, which suggests compatible or analogous laboratory procedures in sample preparation and analysis.

However, the sample collection procedures vary according to the study’s objective. For instance, pharmacological studies often employ aqueous extracts or specific fractions, whereas food-related studies may utilize fresh or processed pulps or juices.

The extraction conditions, such as time, temperature, solvent, and drying method (air drying, lyophilization, etc.), can vary substantially depending on the type of target compound and the intended application. Furthermore, some studies employ sampling of plants collected from different regions or seasons of the year, which may influence the chemical composition and, consequently, the procedures for sample collection.

3.2.1. Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Among the eight articles describing anti-inflammatory action, the study described by Torres-Rêgo et al. [10], utilized hot water extraction method (decoction) for the extraction of bioactive compounds from the fruits of H. speciosa and identified bioactive compounds, such as chlorogenic acid and rutin, by HPLC-DAD and LC-MS. Using an in vivo animal model, the obtained aqueous extract was proven to have anti-inflammatory properties with no significant toxicity observed in fibroblast cells.

The study by Bitencourt et al. [11] investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of the fruit extracts and phenolic compounds against scorpion (Tityus serrulatus) venom in an in vivo model, induced via the peritoneal route. Extracts obtained in dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol (20, 30 and 40 mg/kg), its fractions (20 mg/kg) and rutin and chlorogenic acid (2, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg) decreased cytokine levels IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-12. The results obtained demonstrated that the extract, its fractions, and phenolic compounds can present protective activity against scorpion venom.

Reis et al. [4] aimed to evaluate the supplementation of different concentrations of mangaba fruit pulp to improve the intestinal health of rats, in addition to the anti-inflammatory effect. The study did not perform extraction and did not identify compounds by chromatographic methods. H. speciosa was found to improve intestinal transit, in addition, the fruit pulp showed anti-inflammatory activity, decreasing the production of IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-α, edema and inhibited the migration of leukocytes to the inflamed area. The study also described the absence of toxic effects from fruit consumption.

Yamashita et al. [12] investigated the chemical composition of H. speciosa fruit juice by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS, and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, together with biochemical and hematological parameters in pulmonary edema induced by T. serrulatus venom in an animal model. The chromatographic analysis identified L-bornesitol, quinic acid, chrologenic acid and rutin as major compounds. The in vivo study indicated that juice treatment was able to inhibit the inflammatory effect of acute pulmonary edema and poison-induced kidney damage.

Pegorin et al. [13] characterized H. speciosa latex biomembrane through FTIR spectroscopic analysis and elasticity and flexibility evaluation tests, in addition to MTT cytotoxicity evaluation. The latex biomembrane presented biocompatibility with fibroblast cells and was also able to stimulate inflammatory cells and angiogenesis at the onset of inflammation, thus was considered safe and compatible for the wound healing process.

D’abadia et al. [45] developed a cream-gel formulation with 5, 15 and 25% serum latex of H. speciosa and evaluated its regenerative potential in rats. The authors reported that 5% and 15% cream-gel induced a higher rate of contraction in wounds during the inflammatory phase. The treatment with cream-gel was also beneficial in the inflammatory phase of the healing process. The authors mention the possibility that the chlorogenic acid compounds, naringenin-7-O-glucoside, catechin and procyanidin, present in the serum fraction, help in the control of the inflammatory process.

Martins et al. [28] compared the effects of H. speciosa macroporous latex biomembrane with saline solution on wound healing through in vivo testing. It was indicated that the biomembrane minimized necrosis and inflammation in the inflammatory and proliferative phase, in addition to the treated wounds showing higher rates of contraction in the periods analyzed. It is mentioned by the authors that the presence of chlorogenic acid, which has antioxidant, antimutagenic and anti-inflammatory activities, can modulate metabolic pathways associated with wound healing.

Bitencourt et al. [29] evaluated the anti-inflammatory capacity of the aqueous extract and solvent fractions (dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol) of H. speciosa, rutin and chlorogenic acid against snake venom-induced peritoneal leukocyte migration and myotoxicity in mice. It was observed that the use of different doses of aqueous extract (10, 15 or 20 mg/kg), the solvent, rutin and chlorogenic acid fractions showed a significant reduction in leukocytes peritoneal influx. Furthermore, in relation to the leukocyte’s migration, the extract, solvent fractions, rutin and chlorogenic acid extracts showed a reduction incell influx into muscle.

In the above studies describing the anti-inflammatory action, fruits and the latex were the most used parts of the species where water was used as an extractor solvent. Mostly phenolic compounds were identified in the extract, using liquid chromatography.

The anti-inflammatory activities of compounds from H. speciosa, such as rutin, chlorogenic acid, bornesitol, and other phenolics, have been demonstrated by the studies above, both in vitro and in vivo. These compounds exert anti-inflammatory effects through multiple mechanisms, including the inhibition of enzymes involved in the inflammatory response, reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and enhancement of anti-inflammatory mediator production, such as nitric oxide (NO).

One similarity identified in the studies was the use of the H. speciosa fruit and latex, which is popularly employed in folk medicine. The predominant use of aqueous extraction methods, including decoction, reflects an emphasis on isolating water-soluble phenolic compounds, such as chlorogenic acid and rutin, which were consistently identified through advanced chromatographic techniques like HPLC-DAD and LC-MS. This methodological choice enhances the extraction efficiency of bioactive polar constituents, which may be responsible for the observed biological activities.

The consistent detection of chlorogenic acid and rutin in multiple studies supports their key role in modulating inflammation via inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzymes, reduction in cytokine release, and potential enhancement of anti-inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide.

Thus, the anti-inflammatory activity of H. speciosa and its constituents arises from a combination of actions that modulate different inflammatory pathways, supporting its potential utility as a source of natural therapeutic agents in the management of inflammatory diseases. These findings highlight the importance of further investigating the molecular mechanisms involved and the enhancement of these activities through specific formulations or compound combinations.

3.2.2. Antihypertensive Activity

Five published articles on H. speciosa focused on the antihypertensive agents. The study by Silva et al. [14] evaluated the antihypertensive potential of the ethanolic extract of H. speciosa leaves. The group tested 0.03, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg doses in male Swiss mice and described a favorable oral bioavailability and antihypertensive action. The authors indicate that the main compounds, rutin and chlorogenic acid present in leaves, have been reported for their hypotensive and antihypertensive effect, respectively.

The study by Bastos et al. [30] aimed to identify phenolic compounds in the leaf extract of H. speciosa. The leaves were macerated using a mixture of ethanol/water (70:30 v/v), then the suspension was filtered and the solvent was removed in a rotary evaporator. After going through a lyophilization process, the extract was homogenized with methanol using the ultrasonic bath. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC-MS) was used for sample analysis. Twenty-eight phenolic compounds were identified, among them 15 compounds were reported for the first time. Rutin and chlorogenic acid were mentioned among the major compounds.

Moreira et al. [15] isolated the compound bornesitol from the ethanolic extract of the leaves of H. speciosa and evaluated its ability to reduce blood pressure in normotensive rats. The administration of bornesitol at doses 0.1, 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg showed a reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP). The authors suggested that the arterial decrease was possibly associated with the increase in nitric oxide produced and ACE inhibition.

Moreira et al. [16] carried out a pharmacokinetic study of bornesitol, isolated and purified from ethanolic extract of leaves of H. speciosa, in an in vivo model, and also used UPLC-MS/MS to quantify the bornesitol in rat plasma based on Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) method. They further evaluated its permeability, combined with rutin and also as a constituent of H. speciosa extract in a transwell model with Caco-2 cells. In pharmacokinetic study, when applied orally in rats, bornesitol showed parameters similar to a drug used to treat systemic arterial hypertension (SAH). The authors also reported that the permeability of bornesitol in Caco-2 cells increased, when associated with rutin as well as a constituent of the H. speciosa extract.

Pereira et al. [18] estimated the correlation between the biological activities and the major compounds present in the leaf’s extracts of H. speciosa, aiming to define chemical markers related to antihypertensive and antidiabetic activities. The authors describe that the vasodilator activity is related to flavonoids and chlorogenic acid, and α-glucosidase inhibition is associated with lipophilic compounds. The authors also suggest that these compounds can be used as chemical markers for pharmacological studies.

For studies focused on antihypertensive activity, there is a marked preference for investigations using the leaves of H. speciosa and analyses employing ethanol as the extraction solvent. The use of ethanol is commonly favored for the extraction of phenolic compounds due to its polarity, which facilitates the efficient solubilization of these bioactive molecules.

The antihypertensive activity of H. speciosa is associated with the presence of bioactive compounds, such as bornesitol, rutin, chlorogenic acid, and other phenolics, which exert their effects through multiple physiological mechanisms.

Studies in animal models have demonstrated that extracts and fractions containing these compounds exhibit a significant hypotensive effect. Furthermore, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of these substances contribute to the improvement of vascular health, preventing changes that lead to increased blood pressure.

Overall, these studies illustrate an antihypertensive mechanism in H. speciosa involving multiple bioactive compounds with additive or synergistic actions. They also emphasize the relevance of advanced analytical techniques, such as UHPLC-MS and UPLC-MS/MS, in identifying and quantifying the complex phytochemical profile.

3.2.3. Antioxidant Activity

Nineteen articles describing antioxidant action were retrieved from the scientific database. De Lima et al. [31] evaluated the antioxidant potential and volatile constituents of the mangaba fruit over the storage period. The authors reported that mangaba has a high content of phenolic compounds, such as ascorbic acid and high antioxidant activity. The chemical compounds identified belonged to the class of alcohols, aldehydes, terpenes, hydrocarbons, esters and ketones. On the first day of storage, 62% of the elimination of free radicals was recorded, which was reduced to approximately 40% on the 20th day. A decrease in the content of phenolic compounds was also identified, which may be associated with the decrease in antioxidant activity. The authors pointed out that the ascorbic acid content was not influenced by the storage time and temperature.

Lima Neto et al. [32] quantified the secondary metabolites and antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the plants from the Cerrado region of the Mato Grosso state. H. speciosa, one of the species analyzed in the study, showed potent antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay (1.03 ± 0.52 µg/mL). Dutra et al. [35] evaluated the bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds present in frozen pulps of different Brazilian exotic fruits. H. speciosa, despite having a lower antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay compared to the other species studied, showed a greater potential for reducing iron in the FRAP assay by its free phenolic compounds.

Maia et al. [37] analyzed H. speciosa extract obtained by different techniques, evaluating the yield, antioxidant potential and its chemical composition. It was observed that low pressure extraction presented better results compared to Supercritical Fluid extraction. The Soxhlet extraction showed better extract yield, while the maceration method with ethanol obtained a higher content of phenolic compounds. In the DPPH and ABTS tests, the extracts obtained by techniques that use low pressure obtained better results.

Panontin et al. [43] conducted a development study of an antioxidant shampoo from H. speciosa leaf extract. The authors identified that extraction using Soxhlet presented a better profile of saponins and a higher amount of phenols and flavonoids, and that the formulation with a higher extract content (0.250 mg/g) had higher antioxidant activity.

The study focusing on antioxidant activity demonstrated extensive application of different parts of the H. speciosa tree. Depending on the selected plant part, a higher concentration of the target compound can be extracted. Similar to studies concerning other biological activities, there is a preference for the use of solvents, such as water, ethanol, and others of similar polarity, concentrating on the extraction of rutin, chlorogenic acid, and other phenolic compounds with well-established pharmacological potential. The identification of the compounds was performed through liquid and gas chromatographic analysis.

3.2.4. Antidiabetic Activity

Five articles describing antidiabetic activity were identified. In addition to Pereira et al. [18] and Bastos et al. [30] mentioned before, Pereira et al. [19] evaluated the antidiabetic potential of H. speciosa ethanolic leaf extract and its fractions with different solvents. Both the crude extract and the DCM fraction showed the ability to reduce the plasma glucose concentration, thus suggesting potential for the treatment of diabetes.

Neto et al. [20] evaluated the effect of aqueous extract of H. speciosa leaves in diabetic rats. It was observed that the use of H. speciosa extract (400 mg/kg) reduced the effect of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzymes and decreased cholesterol levels, possibly due to the phenolic compounds and the triterpenes that can be identified in the species.

Tomazi et al. [21] evaluated the hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous latex extract of H. speciosa. The authors performed in vivo tests using Zebrafish, where it was indicated that the extract reduced hyperglycemia induced by alloxan, without showing toxicity.

The diverse extraction methods and solvents (ethanol, aqueous, methanol) targeting different plant parts, underscores the versatility and complexity of phytochemical constituents contributing to these effects. This variability in extraction protocols is critical, as solvent polarity influences the solubility and the profile of bioactive compounds isolated, which may explain differences in efficacy observed across studies.

The identification of the compounds was performed through liquid chromatographic analysis. The detection of key metabolites, including quinic acid, rutin, cornoside, dihydrocornoide, and bornesitol, across various extracts reinforces their proposed role as primary bioactive compounds. Their characterized antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and insulin-sensitizing properties offer a plausible mechanistic foundation underlying the observed therapeutic effects.

This combination of effects, mediated by the bioactive compounds found in different parts of H. speciosa, reinforces its therapeutic potential as an adjuvant treatment for diabetes, promoting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive effects.

Table 2. Compounds present in mangaba that have biological properties.

Compound	Activity	Part of the Plant	Author
Chlorogenic acid	Antimutagenic; anticarcinogens; Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant; antidiabetic	Fruits, leaves	Torres-Rêgo et al. [10]; Yamashita et al. [12]; Bastos et al. [30]; De Lima et al. [31]; Santos et al. [40]; Jalali et al. [49]
Rutin	Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, Antihypertensive	Fruit pulp; leaves	Reis et al. [4]; Rêgo et al. [10]; Yamashita et al. [12]; Torres-Bastos et al. [30]; De Lima et al. [31]; Santos et al. [40]
Bornesitol	Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, Antihypertensive	Fruits; leaves	Yamashita et al. [12]; Silva et al. [14]; Moreira et al. [15]; Moreira et al. [16]
Quinic acid	Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant	Fruits	Yamashita et al. [12]
Gallic acid	Antioxidant	Fruit pulp	De Lima et al. [31]
Catechin	Antioxidant; Antimutagenic	Fruit pulp	Reis et al. [4]; De Lima et al. [31]; Panontin et al. [43]
Rosmarinic acid	Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant	Fruit pulp	De Lima et al. [31]
Ferulic acid	anti-carcinogenic, antihypertensive, antidiabetic	Fruits	Santos et al. [40]
Phlorizin	Antidiabetic	Leaves	Bastos et al. [30]
Phloretin	Antidiabetic	Leaves	Bastos et al. [30]
Isorharmnetin	Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant	Leaves	Panontin et al. [43]
Morin	Anti-inflammatory; Antiallergic activity	Leaves	Panontin et al. [43]

shows the compounds identified from different plant parts together with their biological actions. It was possible to observe that the major compounds in different studies were rutin, chlorogenic acid and bornesitol. Rutin, also identified in a previous study [46], has multiple pharmacological actions, with reports of antioxidant, cytoprotective, vasoprotective, anticarcinogenic, neuroprotective and cardioprotective activities [47]. Chlorogenic acid, a polyphenol compound, has reports of antidiabetic and anti-obesity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive and antimicrobial properties [48]. Bernositol, as it inhibits ACE and increases the concentration of nitric oxide, is considered to have a hypotensive effect [16]. In addition, Yamashita et al. [12] have reported anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions of the compound.

3.3. Lupeol and Other Triterpenes

Other compounds not often mentioned in previous articles that can be identified in H. speciosa are triterpenes, such as lupeol, α- and β-amyrin and their acetates [18,30,37,46]. These lipophilic molecules are of great significance due to their pharmacological properties and depending on the extraction method can be present also as major compounds [46]. Lupeol, pentacyclic triterpene together with its esters have been described for their efficiency in the treatment of cancer, microbial infections, inflammatory diseases and those related to oxidative stress, such as arthritis, hepatotoxicity, kidney disease and tumors, as well as metabolic disorders, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and dyslipidemia [50,51,52,53]. Siddique and Saleem [50] also reported that lupeol does not cause toxicity in animals at doses of 30 to 2000 mg/kg.

Liu et al. [53] reported antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity associated with lupeol acetate. Lucetti et al. [54] in a study with lupeol acetate isolated from the latex of Himatanthus drasticus, popularly known as Janaguba, identified that the compound inhibited mouse paw edemas were induced by carrageenan and dextran, indicating an anti-inflammatory effect. The authors also describe that, at a low dose, lupeol acetate can be potentiated with a dose of pentoxifylline (PTX), a TNF-α inhibitor. In a study by Chen et al. [55], lupeol acetate (extracted from Balanophora spicata) was found to have significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects on acetic acid-induced writhing response, formalin-induced licking behavior and serotonin-induced paw edema.

Different studies have quantified lupeol in different species of plants. Leite et al. [46], using ultrasonic extraction, described the extraction of 31.21 mg/g of lupeol from H. speciosa fruits using ethanol and dichloromethane solvents in a ratio of 20:60 mL. This amount (31.21 mg/g) of lupeol extracted is much higher than those described by other authors, as follows: 0.003 mg/g lupeol from olive fruit, 0.18 mg/g of lupeol from mango pulp, 0.28 mg/g from aloe dry leaf, 0. 88 mg/g from elm leaf, 0.175 mg/g of lupeol from twig bark of Asian pear (shinko) and 0.152 mg/g of lupeol from ginseng oil [56]. Somwong and Theanphong [57] quantified lupeol in the ethanolic extracts of Derris scandens, Albizia procera, and Diospyros rhodocalyx plants. A higher concentration of the compound was identified in the species Diospyros rhodocalyx (40.72 ± 0.40 mg/100 g).

Other triterpenes that can be found in H. speciosa include α- and β-amyrin and their acetate derivatives (Figure 5). Studies indicate that α-amyrin and β-amyrin have pharmacological activities in vitro and in vivo, associated with antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and gastroprotective activity [58,59]. Amyrins can be found in different parts of plants, such as leaves, bark, wood and resin and their extraction can be performed with dichloromethane, chloroform, n-hexane and methanol solvents. In addition, there are no reports on the toxicological potential of these compounds [59,60].

3.4. Technological Prospection

Thirty-four patents were retrieved from the patent databases, all deposited by Brazilian universities and Institutes, mostly located in the Northeast of Brazil (Figure 6), a region where this species is an important raw material for the agroindustry. In addition, the three institutions (SEIDES, ITP–UNIT and UFS) with the highest number of patents filed (26.5%, 14.7%, 11.8%) are in the state of Sergipe, one of the main producers of mangaba.

Mangabeira fruit is commonly used in local cuisine in the northeast, both in natura and in processed form in the preparation of jellies, liqueurs, ice creams, juices, etc. The highest number of patent deposits were also found in the area of food production (Figure 7).

Thirteen patents focused on the pharmaceutical area were identified, analyzing the latex composition, obtaining the extract, and producing the lotion. The cosmetic patents deal with a skin cleansing and moisturizing lotion. Among its composition is described the presence of 9% H. speciosa latex.

The four patents focused on the area of biotechnology were deposited by Federal universities UFS and UFRPE. The patent entitled “Method for the production of lipase from Aspergillus niger used residues from the processing of mangaba pulp as a substrate”, aimed to use the residue of mangaba pulp that is normally discarded. The patent “Process for obtaining a new bactericide from mangabeira latex (H. speciosa)” claims its application for veterinary use in the treatment of bovine and caprine mastitis, disinfectant for veterinary use, human use and pharmaceutical use in infections by bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus. The patent “Solution and process for preserving recalcitrant seeds” refers to a solution for storing recalcitrant seeds, such as mangaba. The patent “Use of a bioadsorvent produced from mangaba seeds aims to remove contaminants from water and liquid effluents” aims to obtain an efficient method for water treatment, using material of plant origin as adsorbent.

In the pharmaceutical area, the identified patents are related to bone regeneration, production of a film aimed at healing, and use of pharmaceutical formulations for treatment of diseases. The patent entitled “Standardized extract and fraction from H. speciosa leaves and pharmaceutical composition thereof” showed the largest number of deposits, being registered in different countries, such as Brazil, Canada, China, United States, India and Japan. This patent describes the obtaining of a standardized extract with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity, and vasodilator, antihypertensive and antioxidant actions. This patent also describes the use of a pharmaceutical formulation with extract or fractions derived from the leaf extract of the species, rich in bornesitol, rutin and quinic acid, used to treat cardiovascular disorders. The other identified patents can be seen in

Table 3. Patents of H. speciosa with applications in the biotechnological and pharmaceutical areas.

Identification	Date	Title	Applicants	Application Area
BR 10 2014 013453 0; BR102014013453	2014; 2016	Method for the production of Aspergillus niger lipase using waste from mangaba pulp processing as substrate [61]	Federal University of Sergipe-UFS	Biotechnological
BR 10 2013 018181 1; BR102013018181	2013; 2016	Process of obtaining a new bactericide from mangabeira latex (Hancornia speciosa Gomes) [62]	Rural Federal University of Pernambuco-UFRPE	Biotechnological
BR 10 2021 009165 7; BR102021009165	2021; 2022	Solution and process for preserving recalcitrant seeds [63]	Federal University of Sergipe-UFS	Biotechnological
BR 10 2017 001445 2; BR102017001445	2017; 2018	Use of a bioadsorvent produced from mangaba seeds to remove contaminants from water and liquid effluents [64]	Federal University of Sergipe-UFS	Biotechnological
BR 10 2012 025418 2	2012	Composition of mangabeira latex and its use in bone regeneration [65]	Campinas State University-UNICAMP	Pharmaceutical
PI 1106145-6; BRPI1106145	2011; 2014	Composition and process for obtaining healing film and the film obtained thus [66]	Institute of Technology and Research; Tiradentes University-UNIT	Pharmaceutical
BR 10 2020 014387 5; BR102020014387	2020; 2021	Pharmaceutical composition containing natural latex and use thereof for the treatment of diseases caused by intracellular protozoa [67]	Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology Baiano-IF Baiano	Pharmaceutical
WO2009140749; EP2335711	2009; 2011	Extract of Hancornia speciosa and pharmaceutical composition thereof * [68]	Research Support Foundation of the State of Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG); Federal University of Minas Gerais-UFMG	Pharmaceutical
PI 0802004-3; BRPI0802004	2008; 2009; 2010	Standardized extract and fraction of leaves of Hancornia speciosa and its pharmaceutical composition * [69]	Research Support Foundation of the State of Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG); Federal University of Minas Gerais-UFMG	Pharmaceutical
BR 10 2012 026958 9; BR102012026958	2012; 2014	Extracts, fractions, isolated compounds and pharmaceutical composition of Aspidosperma pyrifolium, Hancornia speciosa, Ipomoea asarifolia and Mimosa tenuiflora applied in the treatment of poisoning processes by venomy animals [70]	Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte-UFRN	Pharmaceutical
BR 10 2020 024121 4; BR102020024121	2020; 2022	Polymeric films containing mangaba extract against multi-resistant bacteria [71]	Institute of Technology and Research; Tiradentes University-UNIT	Pharmaceutical
BR 10 2021 005471 9; BR102021005471	2021; 2022	Pharmaceutical formulation containing natural latex and its use for the treatment of cutaneous wounds [72]	Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology Baiano-IF Baiano	Pharmaceutical
BR 10 2018 076511 6; BR102018076511	2018; 2020	Process for obtaining a product containing bioactive compounds with antibacterial action against multi-resistant bacteria [73]	Institute of Technology and Research; Tiradentes University-UNIT	Pharmaceutical
CA2759877; CA2724971; IN8284/CHENP/2010; CN102202675; US20110183929; JP2015013896; JP2017052792	2009; 2011; 2015; 2017	Standardized extract and fraction from Hancornia speciosa leaves and pharmaceutical composition thereof * [69]	Federal University of Minas Gerais-UFMG	Pharmaceutical
BR 10 2019 019437 5; BR102019019437	2019; 2021	Mangaba juice laxative [74]	Federal University of Minas Gerais-UFMG	Pharmaceutical
BR 10 2017 025846 7; BR102017025846	2017; 2019	Use of the extract obtained from Hancornia speciosa Gomes—Apocynaceae or any of its derivatives as an antimicrobial agent [75]	Institute of Technology and Research; Tiradentes University-UNIT	Pharmaceutical
JP2011520922	2011	Standardized extracts and fractions from Hancornia speciosa leaves and pharmaceutical compositions thereof * [69]	Federal University of Minas Gerais-UFMG	Pharmaceutical

* The same patent, but with different filings.

.

4. Conclusions

This study reveals an increasing scientific and technological interest in the species H. speciosa over the past decades, highlighting its significance for Brazil. From a scientific perspective, the presence of various bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other secondary metabolites, is highlighted, which confer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pharmacological potential to the species. These substances justify the interest in medicinal and cosmetic applications and pave the way for the development of new products in the health sector.

In the technological domain, patents related to the use of latex, extracts, and derivatives of H. speciosa for pharmaceutical purposes, such as the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, wounds, and infections, are particularly noteworthy. Additionally, applications in the food industry, including the production of juices, jellies, and other traditional food products, are highlighted. Furthermore, the research emphasizes the importance of residue re-utilization, as fermentation substrates and materials for water treatment, demonstrating significant innovation potential in the field of sustainable biotechnology.

Finally, the increasing focus on the properties and applications of this species highlight the necessity to deepen investigations aimed at validating and expanding its uses, thereby contributing to the development of more efficient, sustainable, and high-value-added products, as well as strengthening national technological innovation.