Kielmeyera variabilis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malpighiales |
Family: | Calophyllaceae |
Genus: | Kielmeyera |
Species: | K. variabilis
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Binomial name | |
Kielmeyera variabilis |
Kielmeyera variabilis (malva-do-campo or pau santo) is tree growing to a height of 3–6 meters, found in savannah regions of eastern and central Brazil (the Cerrado).[1] K. variabilis is traditionally used in folk medicine to treat tropical diseases including schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, malaria, as well as fungal and bacterial infections.[2]
K. variabilis has been shown to contain three flavonols and a biflavone known to show antioxidant activity: quercitrin, quercetin-3-O-β-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-β-galactoside; and podocarpusflavone A (the biflavone).[3]
In 2019 a new acylphoroglucinol isolated from the branches of the tree showed activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).[4]