SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE FOR MIKANIA LAEVIGATA AND MIKANIA GLOMERATA AS A PHARMACOLOGICAL TOOL

Abstract

Historically, the majority of new drugs have been generated from natural products as well as from compounds derived from natural products. In this context, Mikania laevigata and M. glomerata, popularly known as ‘guaco’, have a long history of use. Brazilian Indians have an ancient tradition of using ‘guaco’ for snakebites. In current herbal medicine in Brazil, ‘guaco’ is used as an effective natural bronchodilator, expectorant and cough suppressant employed for all types of upper respiratory problems including bronchitis, pleurisy, colds and flu, coughs and asthma.