**5. Rubiaceae Family**

The Rubiaceae family is the fourth largest family of angiosperms, composed of about 650 genera and more than 13,000 species. Belonging to the order Gentianales, it is a cosmopolitan and pantropical family distributed as herbs, shrubs, lianas, small and large trees. It has grea<sup>t</sup> biodiversity, being of paramount importance in floristic formation, in addition to the conservation of tropical vegetation [117].

This family includes important species for the economy of several countries, being widely used as food, such as *Co*ff*ea arabica*; in popular medicine such as *Cinchona* sp.; in civil construction such as species of the genera *Sarcomphalus, Mitragyna*, *Morindae Pausinystalia*; and in ornamentation such as *Gardenia* spp., *Ixora* spp. and *Mussaenda* spp. [118].

Most fruits produced by species of this family have high levels of iridoids, which act as plant defenders against the attack of herbivores. These substances make up pigments found in extracts of species of this family and which are used as cosmetics due to their pigmenting property for the dyeing of keratin fibers [119].

#### *5.1. Genus Genipa L. and Species Genipa americana L.*

*Genipa* L. is a neotropical genus with species distributed in several countries, mainly on the American continent. *Genipa americana* L. is a fruit species characterized by high survival rate against drastic environmental changes, such as floods, which can cause reduction in the growth of shoots and roots, reduction in biomass and changes in their partitioning, in addition to promoting plant senescence, which promotes a mechanism of tolerance in some species frequently exposed to these conditions [120,121].

This species has been used for the regeneration of reserve areas and environmental preservation. Due to its adaptive characteristics, it can be domesticated and used in urban afforestation and agriculture, since its wood and fruits have considerable commercial value. Although little consumed

in the fresh form, fruits are used for the production of jams, candies, ice cream, soft drinks, wines and liqueurs [122].

Its seeds are of easy propagation, which can be sown soon after being removed from fruits and support up to 60 days of storage, which should be performed after drying or under freezing. In addition, *G. americana* can be grown not only from seeds, but also by budding or grafting of plant parts, which produces fruit about 6 years after planting [123,124].

### 5.1.1. Geographical Distribution and Popular Use

*Genipa americana* is widely distributed from South America to Central America. It has tropism for coastal regions and river banks, being found in the Cerrado vegetation and popularly known as jenipapo, janapabeiro, janipaba, janipapo, genipapeiro, jenipapinho, jenipá, jenipapeirol, genipapo, genipapeiro [125].

All plant organs of this species are used in folk medicine. Leaves, stem bark, fruits and roots are indicated for cough, anemia, bruises, dislocations, as depurative, cathartic, purgative, febrifuge, aphrodisiac, diuretic, for spleen and liver diseases, jaundice, and injuries. The pulp of the fresh fruit is indicated for diabetes and liver diseases, and the fruit juice is indicated for anemia [126–128].

For dermatitis, pulp and heated seeds are applied over the a ffected area. The use of tea from fruits and leaves produced by decoction for 1 h is described for the treatment of anemia, and tea from roots and stem bark is used as aphrodisiac. Tea from toasted stem bark obtained by decoction is applied in the form of poultice on bruises, fractures and twists [129–131].

Other forms of fruit use are reported for the treatment of anemia such as juice, bottleful, and dye. The juice is obtained after crushing the fresh vegetable organ and in its homemade preparation a pestle or blender is used, the former being more used for less juicy parts. The dye is a concentrated extract of medicinal plants and consists of an alcoholic or hydroalcoholic preparation in which the macerated plant is immersed in the extraction liquid for 8 to 10 days, and after that period the mixture is filtered, packed in a capped flask and used in the form of drops dissolved in water or used in ointments [132–134].
