**4. Moraceae Family**

The Moraceae family has 53 genera and about 1500 identified species, with tropical prevalence, being more than 50% of the genera present in the Neotropical region, mainly in South America. Species of the Moraceae family are found in humid forests or in their vicinities. *Artocarpus, Brosimum, Ficus* and *Morus* are among the most widely known genera, which correspond to the widely known and consumed fruit-producing plants of grea<sup>t</sup> nutritional and economic importance such as jackfruit, walnut, fig, and blackberry. In addition, some species of this family provide wood and leaves, used as food for silkworm [11,73,74].

Belonging to the Rosales order, this family has members that stand out for their ornamental possibilities, such as the genus *Ficus, Maclura* and *Dorstenia* and medicinal possibilities such as *Brosimum gaudichaudii* Trécul. This family was classified as the most important in terms of number of species with phytotherapic potential, emphasizing the genus *Brosimum* [75,76].

Like other families characteristic of tropical climates, Moraceae members also present adaptations to water scarcity and intense solar radiation. An example of these adaptations is the development of a thick waxy layer, called cuticle, with significant photoprotective property, which due to its reflective capacity, prevents the intense and harmful absorption of excessive solar radiation [77].

#### *4.1. Genus Brosimum and Species Brosimum gaudichaudii*

The genus Brosimum is composed of 13 species: *Brosimuma cutifolium* Huber, *Brosimum alicastrum* Sw., *Brosimum gaudichaudii* Trécul, *Brosimum glaucum* Taub., *Brosimum glaziovii* Taub., *Brosimum guianense*(Aubl.) Huber, *Brosimum lactescens* (S. Moore) C.C. Berg, *Brosimum longifolium* Ducke, *Brosimum melanopotamicum* C.C. Berg, *Brosimum parinarioides* Ducke, *Brosimum potabile* Ducke, *Brosimum rubescens* Taub., and *Brosimu mutile* (Kunth) Pittier, with *B. gaudichaudii* being the only representative of the genus Brosimum found in the Cerrado vegetation [78,79].

There are several studies focused on the biological properties of *Brosimum gaudichaudii* Trécul, which has grea<sup>t</sup> economic importance due to the production of latex, in addition to the use of roots, stem bark and leaves in popular medicine, whose pharamacological activities are attributed to the high content of coumarins, its main class of active metabolites, which may represent about 3% of the dry root weight [80–82].

Popularly known as mama-cadela, mamica de cadela, conduru and inharé, this species has properties of agribusiness interest, contributing to the economic development of the country. Its wood is used in civil construction and paper-making industries, and although its fruit is edible, the use of roots, stems and leaves in popular medicine prevails [73].

#### 4.1.1. Geographical Distribution and Popular Use

*B. gaudichaudii* is not endemic to Brazil, despite being widespread in the country, as it occurs in other countries, mainly in Paraguay, Bolivia, and Argentina. It is predominant in regions with typical Cerrado, Cerradão and Amazon savanna vegetation. However, it is under threat of extinction due to its

occurrence in regions with constant change, such as the Brazilian cerrado, whose native vegetation is commonly subjected to burning and reduced by the expansion of the agricultural frontier, in addition to being a ffected by the indiscriminate extraction of latex [83,84].

Ribeiro et al. [85] conducted a survey on the popular use of several species, among them *B. gaudichaudii*, whose most used plant organs were roots, stem bark and latex, either in the fresh form or prepared by decoction, infusion, or maceration. The therapeutic indications reported in the research were: infections, venereal diseases, that is, those sexually transmitted, boils, superficial skin mycoses, cancer, anemia, cardiac arrhythmia, pneumonia, vitiligo, joint pain, inflammation, rheumatism, kidney disorders and wound healing.

For the treatment of vitiligo and other skin diseases, the extract, usually obtained by infusion or decoction of roots or stem bark, is used topically. In addition, it has also been described as a depurative, that is, it is used to eliminate toxins and improve blood circulation, and in this case, preparation is carried out by decoction or maceration of branches and leaves in dry wine. Its use against flu, colds and bronchitis occurs from the infusion of any plant part in wine or water [86].

Popularly known as bottleful, homemade preparations using dry wine as vehicle are produced by macerating the chosen vegetable organ in wine and honey for a period of at least 8 days. After this period, the liquid obtained is packed in capped bottles. Generally, extracts are orally administered and although they do not have a health record, they can be found available for purchase at street markets [87,88].
