General, Phylogenetic, Biological, and Chemical Aspects of the Burseraceae Family
Juliana de Sousa Figuerêdo *
Post-Graduation Department in Chemistry, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina 64000-040, Brazil.
Sidney Gonçalo de Lima
Post-Graduation Department in Chemistry, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina 64000-040, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This review aims to synthesise current knowledge on the phylogenetic, biological and chemical aspects of the Burseraceae family, with emphasis on its ecological relevance, resin production and pharmacological potential, particularly in relation to Protium.
Study Design: Systematic literature review and qualitative meta-synthesis.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Brazil, and considered botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological information published up to August 2025.
Methodology: Scientific information was gathered from ScienceDirect, PubMed, Plataforma Capes and Google Scholar using descriptors related to Burseraceae, medicinal plants, phylogenetic classification, distribution, secondary metabolites, triterpenes, botany, taxonomy, resin, cosmetics and pharmacological activities. Articles were filtered without restrictions on publication period. Peer-reviewed experimental studies and relevant review articles were prioritised, while duplicate records, incomplete publications and studies with unclear methods or insufficiently concise data were excluded.
Results: The review confirms the broad tropical and subtropical distribution of Burseraceae, with notable representation in Neotropical regions and in the Amazon. The family is characterised by resiniferous ducts and aromatic oleoresins that contain volatile monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, as well as fixed triterpenoid constituents. The reviewed studies report biological activities associated with species of the family, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, gastroprotective, antihypertensive, anxiolytic, antidepressant, antimutagenic, larvicidal and cosmetic-related applications. Historical and ethnopharmacological uses of resins, including breu, frankincense and myrrh, further support their cultural and economic importance.
Conclusion: Burseraceae presents relevant botanical, chemical and ethnopharmacological features, particularly through resin-derived terpenoids. Further studies are needed to clarify molecular mechanisms, biosynthetic pathways, ecological adaptations and sustainable applications of these resins.
Keywords: Burseraceae, Protium, aromatic resins, terpenoids, triterpenes, phylogeny, ethnopharmacology, medicinal plants, pharmacological activities, phytochemistry, cosmetics