The genus Mansoa (Bignoniaceae): a source of organosulfur compounds

The genus Mansoa belongs to the family Bignoniaceae and it includes eleven species that occur mainly in the dry and wet forests of Brazil and from Argentina to the Southeast of Mexico. These species in the Brazilian Amazon region are known as cipo-de-alho, that in means garlic vine, in reference to the pungent garlic-like smell of the leaves when crushed. Cipo-de-alho has several uses in folk medicine and among them, the most cited are the treatment for cold, fever, pain and inflammation of arthritis and rheumatism. In spite of all those uses, it still has little application in phytotherapy when compared to garlic (Allium sativum). The essential oils of Mansoa spp. show the presence of allyl polysufides that contribute to the characteristic aroma and flavor. The chemical composition of the organic extracts of Mansoa has been reported and it includes alkanes, alkanols, triterpenoids, flavonoids, lapachol derivatives' and organosulfur compound alliin. The uses, chemical composition, biological activities and agricultural aspects of Mansoa species and their relationship with A. sativum are presented.