FROM TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO PHARMACOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION: A NARRATIVE REVIEW ON MEDICINAL PLANTS

Abstract

Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants constitutes an important source of information for the investigation of species and compounds of pharmaceutical interest, although their therapeutic application depends on a careful assessment of efficacy, safety, and quality. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between traditional knowledge and the pharmacological investigation of medicinal plants, considering their therapeutic potential and the challenges involved in scientific validation for application in healthcare. A qualitative, descriptive-interpretive narrative literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, SciELO, and PubMed, with searches performed between March and September 2026. Articles published in Portuguese and English from 2020 to 2026 and relevant to the proposed objective were included. Nine studies comprised the final analysis, which was organized into thematic axes related to traditional knowledge, investigation of plant constituents, and potential applications in healthcare. The studies reported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities associated with different species, as well as advances provided by chemical characterization and research technologies. However, the diversity of preparations, the limited availability of clinical studies, and gaps in toxicological evidence hinder the generalization of findings and the establishment of safe therapeutic applications. Public policies expand the possibilities for incorporating these resources into healthcare, although challenges related to professional training, standardization, and implementation remain. It is concluded that traditional knowledge contributes to guiding pharmacological research, while evidence of efficacy and safety remains essential for translating promising findings into demonstrable therapeutic benefits.