Índice de significância medicinal na seleção de plantas medicinais para a Plataforma Agroecológica de Fitomedicamentos – Fiocruz

Abstract

The Brazilian flora is megadiverse and is under pressure by the ongoing human activities. The traditional communities have great knowledge about the uses and properties of plants, but this knowledge is not reflected on the use of native species for production of drugs or official recognizement in lists of medicinal plants recommended by the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA).  It was proposed the creation of the Index of Medicinal Significance (ISM) to locate, in plant listings, those with the greatest potential for pharmacological studies from the validation of popular uses, valuing the native character in terms of biodiversity conservation and evaluating their presence in official lists. The Index was applied to a floristic survey at Campus Fiocruz Mata Atlântica, Rio de Janeiro, where 44 species (42 natives, 2 exotics) had indication of medicinal uses in literature, and only three are present in official lists. The ISM contributed to the indication of seven species to be planted at Plataforma Agroecológica de Fitomedicamentos, Fiocruz. The Index proved to be an useful tool to the identification and selection of native medicinal plants not yet recognized in official ANVISA lists for researching their properties and developing methods and products.