CARAMBOLEIRA:

Characterization of toxic and therapeutic potential

Resumen

In recent years, caramboleira, used in the past only as a tree and ornamental plant, has gained a lot of visibility. This small fruit tree has been used in the treatment of some pathologies, in the manufacture of herbal medicines and its active ingredients have been the target of several studies. In this context, this study aimed to carry out an integrative bibliographic review of the various toxic and therapeutic effects of Averrhoa carambola using articles, published between the years 2000 to 2019, as a research source. Among the properties of the caramboleira that have been explored, diuretics, antihypertensive, anti-diabetic, and appetite stimulant stand out. There are several active ingredients described, toxic or not, that can be used for the most diverse purposes, as well as the amount of fruit considered safe for consumption. The caramboleira fruit has a neurotoxin known as caramboxin, capable of causing changes in the renal functions of patients with a history of chronic kidney disease. Even in patients considered healthy, caramboxin can overload kidney function. In addition, this toxin appears to inhibit the GABAergic system. Symptoms after eating the fruit can start with hiccups, malaise, nausea, vomiting, even death.