ABSTRACT
A large number of medicinal plants are part of the regional economy of northeastern Brazil, constituting a source of income of vital importance to many local communities. The latex of Himathantus drasticus (janaguba – Apocynaceae), a tree species found in the Brazilian savanna, is commonly used to treat several diseases, such as gastritis, anaemia, inflammation, worms and many types of cancer (Lucetti et al. 2010). The results from pharmacological studies using the leaves, bark and latex of this species have supported its popular use as an anti-tumoral and immune-stimulant (Sousa et al. 2010, Mousinho et al. 2008, Rebouças et al. 2011). Its distribution is restricted to Brazil, occurring predominantly in the northeast of the country (Spina 2013).
