Bauhinia forficata Link, popularly known as ‘cow's paw’, is characterized as a plant species widely used in traditional medicine as hypoglycemiant. Given its high empirical use for therapeutic purposes coupled with the high interest in research with this plant species, this study aimed to perform a systematic review on B. forficata L. seeking for evidence-based information on the influence of the use of this plant in glycemic, lipid and toxicological profile in in vivo experimental models, using a secondary survey of experimental studies conducted and published on this plant species. A search strategy was established and a total of 36 articles were found in the search, after exclusion of duplicate articles and application of inclusion criteria, only 12 were evaluated in detail. The glucose dosing was the most performed biochemical determination, found in 100% of the studies. Most articles proved the hypoglycemiant action of preparations from B. forficata L. Regarding the influence on lipid parameters, there were discordant results, and concerning toxicity, few articles on the subject were found, but the results indicated that the use of the aqueous extract from the plant is safe. Thus, it was possible to demonstrate the pharmacological potential of this plant species. Key words: Bauhinia forficata Link, diabetes, hypoglycemiant, systematic review.

The highly valued area of traditional medicine includes medicinal plants and the chemical compounds found in them that have therapeutic potential as effective remedies for a variety of health issues. However, with respect to their active compounds and therapeutic value, many medicinal plants from various environments fall under the category of being underexplored. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was initially presented in November 2019. It was eventually labeled a pandemic, with an alarming number of deaths (6.987 million) and is still active. Alternative therapies are receiving more attention as a means of improving immunity and managing symptoms over the long term, despite the well-established scientific community’s quick success in implementing COVID-19 vaccinations. As an alternative strategy for COVID-19 management, traditional medicine therapies that comprise medicinal plants and extracts, formulations, and bioactive metabolites are currently receiving much interest. The usefulness of these herbal medicine interventions to manage COVID-19 infection has been the subject of recent studies, which are discussed here. In conclusion, we propose using plant extracts and their formulations as an alternative approach to treat COVID-19. This review may also instigate the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 prophylactics from the active phytochemicals of these extracts.

Medicinal plants and their therapeutically promising chemical compounds belonging to the valued category of ‘traditional medicine’ are potential remedies for various health problems. Due to their complex structure and enormous health benefits, the high-value plant-derived metabolites collectively termed as ‘phytochemicals’ have emerged as a crucial source for novel drug discovery and development. Indeed, several medicinal plants from diverse habitats are still in the ‘underexplored’ category in terms of their bioactive principles and therapeutic potential. COVID-19, infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2, first reported in November 2019, resulted in the alarming number of deaths (6.61 million), was further declared ‘pandemic’, and spread of the disease has continued till today. Even though the well-established scientific world has successfully implemented vaccines against COVID-19 within the short period of time, the focus on alternative remedies for long-term symptom management and immunity boosting have been increased. At this point, interventions based on traditional medicine, which include medicinal plants, their bioactive metabolites, extracts and formulations, attracted a lot of attention as alternative solutions for COVID-19 management. Here, we reviewed the recent research findings related to the effectiveness of phytochemicals in treatment or prevention of COVID-19. Furthermore, the literature regarding the mechanisms behind the preventive or therapeutic effects of these natural phytochemicals were also discussed. In conclusion, we suggest that the active plant-derived components could be used alone or in combination as an alternative solution for the management of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, the structure of these natural productomes may lead to the emergence of new prophylactic strategies for SARS-CoV-2-caused infection.