CBMA studies plants with promising applications
A doctoral thesis carried out at the CBMA has shown that carqueja (Pterospartum tridentatum), a plant commonly found in the wild, is beneficial for wound healing in diabetic conditions and for reducing pain. The pilot study, conducted on animals, also confirmed the plant’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, suggesting potential use in pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic products.
This research, led by Inês Laranjeira under the supervision of Filipa Pinto Ribeiro (ICVS, Uminho) and Alberto Dias (CBMA, UMinho), was developed within the PhD programme AgriChains . The project received support from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and involved partnerships with Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), the University of Macau (China) and the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (Brazil). The study also highlighted the medicinal value of two other plants: Baccharis trimera (alecrim-do-campo) and Plectranthus ornatus (estrela-do-egipto).
As part of the research, Inês Laranjeira incorporated carqueja extract into a topical cream, which was applied to wounds in animals with type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis. “We had three groups: one treated with the extract cream, one with cream without extract, and one left untreated. We found that wounds healed significantly faster in the first group,” says the researcher, who is now continuing her work at the ICVS, School of Medicine, UMinho, alongside Filipa Pinto Ribeiro.
The authors believe the cream may also be effective in healing burns and psoriasis in humans, as well as in veterinary use. “This topical cream with carqueja extract is easy for pet owners to apply and may avoid more invasive treatments. However, using it on farm animals is more complex, as it could have implications for meat or milk,” explains Filipa Pinto Ribeiro.
The compound shows clinical potential, although no aesthetic benefits—such as for wrinkle or facial treatments—have yet been proven. The plant may also be included in shampoos or dietary supplements, and is traditionally used in medicine (to aid digestion, for diet regulation, and to help control blood pressure and cholesterol) and in Portuguese cuisine.
Additionally, the thesis confirmed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of alecrim-do-campo and estrela-do-egipto. The former also helps control hyperglycaemia, which is crucial for wound healing in diabetic patients. Estrela-do-egipto was found to reduce chronic inflammation associated with diabetic wounds, supporting tissue recovery.
The next steps in the research may involve advanced methods such as omics approaches and computational modelling to better understand the molecular pathways involved. Medicinal and traditional plants are gaining importance in rural economies, cultural tourism and international trade. There is therefore a growing effort to standardise cultivation, processing and formulation of plant extracts, ensuring quality, safety and efficacy, minimising side effects, promoting sustainability, and contributing to new therapies and natural product-based medicines.