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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Frontiers in Pharmacology

Phytochemistry, pharmacology, safety, and applications of Buddleja globosa Hope [Scrophulariaceae]: a systematic review from bioactive metabolites and mechanisms to translational perspectives

  • Gonzalo Fuentes-Barros1,2
  • Sebastián Castro-Saavedra1,3
  • Nicolas Montalva4
  • Marco Mellado5,6
  • Rolando Vernal7,8
  • Marcela Hernández7,9
  • Antonia Díaz-Valdés4,10,11
  • Camila Zoppi1
  • Javier Echeverría3
11 affiliations
  1. 1SAPHYCHEM
  2. 2Programa de Doctorado en Políticas Públicas, Universidad Mayor
  3. 3Departamento de Ciencias del Ambiente, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile
  4. 4Centro de Investigación en Sociedad y Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Artes, Universidad Mayor
  5. 5Dirección de Investigación, Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins
  6. 6Laboratorio de Espectroscopía y Química Aplicada, Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas Aplicadas, Universidad Central de Chile
  7. 7Laboratorio de Biología Periodontal, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Chile
  8. 8Departamento de Odontología Conservadora, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Chile
  9. 9Departamento de Patología y Medicina Oral, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Chile
  10. 10Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Artes, Psicología, Universidad Mayor
  11. 11Centro de Gerociencia para la Salud Cerebral y el Metabolismo
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Abstract

Background: Buddleja globosa Hope [Scrophulariaceae] is a shrub native to South America, known in Chile as matico or pañil . Its leaves are widely used in traditional medicine and have commercial applications, primarily as aqueous extracts administered orally or topically. Its use is supported by over a century of traditional practice, and it is one of the few native species recognized as a traditional herbal medicine in Chile based on long-standing use and emerging scientific evidence.

Methodology: We retrieved bibliographic data on the traditional uses, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and biological activities of B. globosa from Web of Science®, Scopus®, PubMed®, SciFinder®, University of Chile Repository® and grey literature. We conducted a systematic review in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines.

Results and discussion: Fifty studies were included in the systematic review. Traditional uses have made B. globosa one of the most important medicinal plant species in Chile for both internal and topical applications, although the strength of evidence varies by indication. Its use in treating gastric ulcers and promoting skin wound healing is particularly noteworthy, with pharmacological activities reported in in vitro studies, murine models, and clinical trials. The species contains a remarkable diversity of bioactive metabolites ( n = 119), including verbascoside, echinacoside, buddledin A, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, luteolin, and apigenin; however, its essential oil remains poorly characterized. Furthermore, the review identified important knowledge gaps, particularly in medicinal cultivation and silvicultural management, chemical standardization, metabolomic variability, toxicological and safety assessment, and preclinical and clinical validation. Addressing these gaps will be essential to support the development of standardized phytotherapeutic products based on B. globosa .

Conclusion: Buddleja globosa represents a strategic medicinal resource due to its long history of traditional use, its widespread use in Chile, and the growing body of scientific evidence suggesting its biological properties, particularly in wound-healing applications. This review documents several bioactive metabolites, including verbascoside, amyrins, and flavonoids. In this context, future research should focus on strategies that promote knowledge transfer and on developing public policies to implement Good Manufacturing Practices, translating their use into evidence-based healthcare.

Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261450024 .

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{fuentesbarros2026phytochemistry,
  title = {{Phytochemistry, pharmacology, safety, and applications of Buddleja globosa Hope [Scrophulariaceae]: a systematic review from bioactive metabolites and mechanisms to translational perspectives}},
  author = {Gonzalo Fuentes-Barros and Sebastián Castro-Saavedra and Nicolas Montalva and Marco Mellado and Rolando Vernal and Marcela Hernández and Antonia Díaz-Valdés and Camila Zoppi and Javier Echeverría},
  journal = {Frontiers in Pharmacology},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fphar.2026.1940132},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1940132/full},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Phytochemistry, pharmacology, safety, and applications of Buddleja globosa Hope [Scrophulariaceae]: a systematic review from bioactive metabolites and mechanisms to translational perspectives
AU  - Gonzalo Fuentes-Barros
AU  - Sebastián Castro-Saavedra
AU  - Nicolas Montalva
AU  - Marco Mellado
AU  - Rolando Vernal
AU  - Marcela Hernández
AU  - Antonia Díaz-Valdés
AU  - Camila Zoppi
AU  - Javier Echeverría
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/14
JO  - Frontiers in Pharmacology
DO  - 10.3389/fphar.2026.1940132
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1940132/full
AB  - Background: Buddleja globosa Hope [Scrophulariaceae] is a shrub native to South America, known in Chile as matico or pañil . Its leaves are widely used in traditional medicine and have commercial applications, primarily as aqueous extracts administered orally or topically. Its use is supported by over a century of traditional practice, and it is one of the few native species recognized as a traditional herbal medicine in Chile based on long-standing use and emerging scientific evidence.  Methodology: We retrieved bibliographic data on the traditional uses, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and biological activities of B. globosa from Web of Science®, Scopus®, PubMed®, SciFinder®, University of Chile Repository® and grey literature. We conducted a systematic review in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines.  Results and discussion: Fifty studies were included in the systematic review. Traditional uses have made B. globosa one of the most important medicinal plant species in Chile for both internal and topical applications, although the strength of evidence varies by indication. Its use in treating gastric ulcers and promoting skin wound healing is particularly noteworthy, with pharmacological activities reported in in vitro studies, murine models, and clinical trials. The species contains a remarkable diversity of bioactive metabolites ( n = 119), including verbascoside, echinacoside, buddledin A, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, luteolin, and apigenin; however, its essential oil remains poorly characterized. Furthermore, the review identified important knowledge gaps, particularly in medicinal cultivation and silvicultural management, chemical standardization, metabolomic variability, toxicological and safety assessment, and preclinical and clinical validation. Addressing these gaps will be essential to support the development of standardized phytotherapeutic products based on B. globosa .  Conclusion: Buddleja globosa represents a strategic medicinal resource due to its long history of traditional use, its widespread use in Chile, and the growing body of scientific evidence suggesting its biological properties, particularly in wound-healing applications. This review documents several bioactive metabolites, including verbascoside, amyrins, and flavonoids. In this context, future research should focus on strategies that promote knowledge transfer and on developing public policies to implement Good Manufacturing Practices, translating their use into evidence-based healthcare.  Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261450024 .
SN  - 1663-9812
ER  -