The genus Arrabidaea, consisting of ~170 species, belongs to the family Bignoniaceae, distributed around the Neotropics and temperate zone. The center of diversity of the family is in Brazil, where 56 genera and about 340 species exist. Most species of the genus Arrabidaea are traditionally utilized as diuretics and antiseptics, as well as for treating intestinal colic, diarrhea, kidney stones, rheumatoid arthritis, wounds, and enterocolitis. The genus is chemically diverse with different substance classes; most of them are triterpenes, phenolic acids, and flavonoids, and they exhibit valuable pharmacological properties, such as antitumor, antioxidant, leishmanicidal, trypanocidal, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. This review presents information on the chemical constituents isolated from seven Arrabidaea species, and the pharmacological activities of the extracts, fractions and pure substances isolated since 1994, obtained from electronic databases. The various constituents present in the different species of this genus demonstrate a wide pharmacological potential for the development of new therapeutic agents, however its potential has been underestimated.

Rutin is found in several plant sources and has therapeutic effects with excellent healing potential. Its use is restricted due to its low aqueous solubility, requiring a carrier matrix that allows an adequate delivery system. Biopolymer matrices can release the active ingredient in a controlled manner, keeping it within the therapeutic range and minimizing side effects. This study used babassu mesocarp starch films prepared by different routes as Arrabidaea brachypoda DC Bureau (AB) leaf extract carrier matrices to produce a controlled release system. The films were produced by the casting method, and the AB extract was incorporated in the proportion of 0.5% m/m of dry starch. The presence of the extract in the matrix was identified with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) data and functional analyses. The in vitro release of the AB extract was carried out in phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4, and adapted to the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, with coefficients of determination (R2 ) ≥ 0.9018. The release exponents (n) revealed that the release mechanism is diffusion controlled. Different kinetic constant values (k) indicated that the treatments employed allowed slower and more controlled release profiles, according to the route chosen for matrix preparation. Thus, the materials produced emerge as a new approach to releasing vegetable extracts.