Summary
Quassinoids, a group of bitter triterpenes widely distributed within the Simaroubaceae family, are responsible for an extended list of pharmacological activities that have been attributed to different species in this family. Several biological activities including antitumour, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic and insecticidal have been described for these compounds. Furthermore, and due to the pharmacological importance of quassinoids, these compounds have also been obtained by means of synthesis from precursors already present in the bark. In the case of Picrasma crenata, many of the medicinal uses claimed for this plant are being studied in order to be validated, although it is important to point out that, at least in the case of Southern Brazil and Northeastern Argentina, the most popular use of this plant is in the field of pediculosis.

Plantas medicinales autóctonas de la Argentina. Bases científicas para su aplicación en atención primaria de la salud / Jorge Alonso y Cristian Jorge Desmarchelier. - 1a ed. - Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires: Corpus Libros Médicos y Científicos, 2015.