Plantas condimentares para amenizar os sintomas da endometriose: uma revisão integrativa

Júlia Eliza de Souza Fernandes; Vivian Cristina Ito

doi:10.17765/2176-9192.2025v27e13589

Authors

Júlia Eliza de Souza Fernandes UniCesumar https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6864-655X
Vivian Cristina Ito UniCesumar https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5143-590X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17765/2176-9192.2025v27e13589

Keywords:

Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Biological Activity, Therapeutic Potential

Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the abnormal growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, causing pain and menstrual dysfunction. An emerging alternative for its complementary treatment is the use of herbal medicines, substances derived from plants with therapeutic properties. Condimentary plants such as garlic, turmeric, and ginger have been highlighted in recent research as potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents. This study aimed to conduct an integrative review investigating the use of condimentary plants, including garlic, turmeric, and ginger, to alleviate the symptoms of endometriosis. The databases ScienceDirect, PubMed, and SciELO were used, selecting articles in Portuguese and English published between 2014 and 2024. Studies demonstrated a high anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity from garlic, mainly due to allicin, which inhibits the production of nitric oxide and prostaglandins, preventing the inflammatory process. Ginger showed significant therapeutic potential in relieving symptoms of chronic inflammatory diseases through phenolic compounds, particularly gingerol and shogaol, which inhibit the arachidonic acid cascade and block the production of pro-inflammatory molecules by suppressing cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Turmeric’s therapeutic potential is mainly attributed to curcumin, which can inhibit factors associated with the inflammatory response and interfere with the arachidonic acid cascade. Garlic, turmeric, and ginger emerge as promising adjuvants in the complementary treatment of endometriosis, proving effective in reducing inflammatory markers and oxidative stress. In addition to being low-cost, they contribute to improving the quality of life of countless women facing the symptoms caused by the disease.

Author Biographies

Júlia Eliza de Souza Fernandes , UniCesumar

Graduanda em Nutrição - UNICESUMAR.

Vivian Cristina Ito, UniCesumar

Nutricionista. Doutora em Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos - UEPG. Docente na UniCesumar e no PPG em Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos – UEPG. Atua em alimentos funcionais, PANCs e desenvolvimento de alimentos.

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