Estudos agronômicos, genéticos, morfoanatômicos, fitoquímicos, toxicológicos e farmacológicos de Bellis perennis L. (margarida)

Abstract

Introduction: Bellis perennis L. (Asteraceae), commonly known as daisy, is a perennial herb of wide distribution throughout Europe and the north of Africa. Objectives: conduct a bibliographic review about the agronomic, genetic, morphological and anatomic, chemical, toxicological and pharmacological characteristics of this species. Methods: a review was carried out of full-text original papers, as well as materials published in Portuguese, English and Spanish between 1962 and 2011 in the following databases: LILACS, Science Direct, Scielo and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System on-line. The search terms used were Bellis perennis, B. perennis, Asteraceae, botanical studies, chemical studies, toxicological studies and pharmacological activities. We also included the results of experimental studies on acute toxicity in mice treated with ethanolic extract of flowers of Bellis perennis. Results: its wide use as a medicinal plant and the scarcity of systematic information about its toxicity and pharmacological actions, justify the relevance of this review, since several chemical components have already been isolated. Given the fact that these therapeutic properties are still not well understood, and in view of their importance for phytotherapy, it is recommended that further phytochemical and pharmacological studies be carried out. Conclusion: despite the widespread use of this plant, the bibliography on the topic does not offer details about its toxicological and pharmacological properties. Hence the need for further scientific research.