Geographical distribution, ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical composition, and biological activities of Syagrus species from Northeastern Brazil

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This study aimed to perform an integrative review of ethnobotanical uses, biological activities, and phytochemical profiles of Syagrus species found in northeastern Brazil, and to assess their geographic distribution. The review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, and ScienceDirect, and selected studies published between 2011 and September 2025. The search strategy included scientific names of 25 species and hybrids. Peer-reviewed articles were included when Syagrus appeared in the title, abstract, or keywords, while duplicates and unrelated studies were excluded. Ethnobotanical reports, phytochemical data, and biological activities were analyzed systematically. Geographic distribution records from GBIF were processed in QGIS 3.22.1 to generate updated maps and identify new potential occurrence points. A total of 1,068 publications were identified, and after removing duplicates and applying eligibility criteria, 55 articles were included. Less than 15% of Brazilian Syagrus species (n = 9) have been scientifically investigated, indicating a significant knowledge gap. The fatty-acid profile of Syagrus oils is dominated by triacylglycerols containing medium- and long-chain fatty acids (C8–C24), with lauric acid (C12:0) frequently exceeding 40%. This composition underscores their pharmacological and industrial relevance, particularly for surfactant and detergent production. Syagrus species exhibit notable antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibiofilm, nematocidal, larvicidal, antiparasitic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritis, and neuroprotective activities. Overall, Syagrus species from northeastern Brazil display strong ethnobotanical relevance and diverse bioactivities. However, research remains scarce, highlighting the need for further studies to isolate bioactive compounds and to support sustainable and safe therapeutic applications. Graphical Abstract

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.