LAUSR

BACKGROUND The pecan nutshell contains phytochemicals with various biological activities that are potentially useful in the prevention or treatment of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and metabolic imbalances associated with heart diseases. OBJECTIVE To update this topic by means of a literature review and include those that contribute to the knowledge of the chemical composition and biological activities of pecan nutshell, particularly of those related to the therapeutic potential against some chronic degenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress. METHOD Exhaustive and detailed review of the existing literature using electronic databases. CONCLUSION The pecan nutshell is a promising natural product with pharmaceutical uses in various diseases. However, additional research related to the assessment of efficient extraction methods and characterization, particularly the evaluation of the mechanisms of action in new in vivo models, is necessary to confirm these findings and development of new drugs with therapeutic use.