Medicinal plants have been increasingly used due to their preventive, palliative and curative properties, besides being an alternative therapy that brings a large number of benefits to their users. The species Mikania glomerata belongs to the Asteraceae family and is popularly known as guaco, being employed to treat diseases of the respiratory tract. This study aimed to carry out a literature review about the pharmacology, pharmacobotany and phytochemistry of the secondary metabolites of M. glomerata, particularly coumarin, its biosynthesis and biological actions. The bronchodilator, expectorant, anti-inflammatory and antiallergic actions, as well as the interactions with some antibiotics and anticoagulants, were also described in this study.
phytotherapy; guaco; secondary metabolites; biosynthesis
