Estudio de especies medicinales utilizadas tradicionalmente por habitantes de Sucumbíos para el tratamiento de enfermedades respiratorias

Abstract

Abstract: The province of Sucumbíos located in the Ecuadorian Amazon has a great diversity of flora, which used by the inhabitants to treat various diseases, including respiratory conditions. During the last years the use of plant species for the treatment of respiratory diseases has increased, this due to the arrival of the pandemic caused by COVID-19. The main objective of this work is to determine which are the native species that have been most used and their benefits with respect to their active ingredients. Within the research, the following species have been highlighted: Chuchuguazo (Monteverdia macrocarpa), which contains oleanane,that acts as an expectorant; Cascarilla (Cinchona officinalis) has quercetin and kaempferol, which treats cough, in addition to quinoline alkaloids that acts slightly against SARS-CoV-2; mountain garlic (Mansoa standleyi) has garlicine which is used against coughs and colds; Neurolaena lobatahas flavonoids such as quercetin that act in various lung conditions and sesquiterpene lactones that can act as antivirals, however there are no studies that demonstrate an effect against COVID-19.