''Pothomorphe umbellatum'', or pariparoba, is a plant of Brazilian origin (atlantic wood)that has been traditionally used in folk remedies for digestive and

liver The liver is a major organ only found in vertebrates which performs many essential biological functions such as detoxification of the organism, and the synthesis of proteins and biochemicals necessary for digestion and growth. In humans, it ...

-related maladies. In 2002, a research group based at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University discovered antibacterial properties of the plant specific to ''

Helicobacter pylori ''Helicobacter pylori'', previously known as ''Campylobacter pylori'', is a gram-negative, microaerophilic, spiral (helical) bacterium usually found in the stomach. Its helical shape (from which the genus name, helicobacter, derives) is th ...

''. Two years later in laboratory testing at the Pharmaceutical Sciences College (FCF) of the

University of São Paulo The University of São Paulo ( pt, Universidade de São Paulo, USP) is a public university in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. It is the largest Brazilian public university and the country's most prestigious educational institution, the best ...

, molecules found within the plant were demonstrated to have UVB-protective properties. For its medicinal and cosmetic promise, the Brazilian pharmaceutical company

Natura Natura & Co is a Brazilian global personal care cosmetics group headquartered in São Paulo. The Natura & Co Group currently includes Natura Cosméticos, Aesop, The Body Shop and Avon Products. The Group is present in 73 countries across all cont ...

obtained exclusive marketing rights to products developed from the plant.Protection for the skin, Extract from the Pariparoba exercises antioxidant action against the sun and should reach the market shortly, Dinorah Ereno ''Revista Pesquisa Fapesp'', Print Edition November 2004, https://revistapesquisa.fapesp.br/en/2004/11/01/protection-for-the-skin/ viewed 31 Jul 2019

References

umbellatum {{piperales-stub