Some Considerations on the Uses of Rubiaceae Present in the Lesser Antilles (Caribbean)

Abstract

Rubiaceae is one of the most widespread families of flowering plants in the world, with about a hundred species recorded only in the Lesser Antilles archipelago located in the Caribbean. Although most of them have been introduced and naturalized, these plants have remarkably adapted to a wide variety of habitats, where they play an essential role in maintaining local ecosystems. They also enrich the region’s ethnobotanical practices thanks to their exceptional chemical properties, which are the source of many bioactive compounds. These species are widely used in traditional and modern medicine throughout the world, while offering a multitude of other uses. However, the survival of these species and their habitats is threatened by the intensification of human activities and the impacts of current climate change. This article aims to highlight the diversity of potential uses of Rubiaceae in order to enhance this exceptional botanical heritage and to encourage or strengthen conservation initiatives. The uses reported here, resulting from a preliminary bibliographic research, however require rigorous validation by other scientific studies in phytochemistry and pharmacology to guarantee the veracity of these uses.