Cactaceaes of the Brazilian Semiarid: Source of Bioactive Compounds

The semiarid region of Brazil stands out as one of the spaces with the highest diversity of plant species in the world, and the Cactaceae family the one that best represents the Brazilian semiarid. However, although there are many species of cacti in Brazil, their chemical potential has yet to be discovered. Given this, the present review aims to record the bioactive metabolites of native cactaceaes or not in Brazil, encompassing a description of its habitat and traditional uses. Compilations of ethnobotanical studies point to the importance of cacti species in the daily life of local cultures. Cactaceaes are used for food, economic, ornamental, and mystical purposes, among others, and stand out for their importance in traditional medicine, used to treat various diseases. Bioactive compounds in this family belong mainly to alkaloid groups, such as betalain, phenolic acids, terpenes and fatty acids. This review displays the relevance of the Cactaceae family in the face of the remarkable production of bioactive compounds.