Traditional knowledge as basis for phytochemical prospecting of Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Roem. & Schult.) T.D. Penn. aiming at conservation in the Brazilian semi-arid zone

Abstract

Background: The predatory exploitation of medicinal plants has been one of the factors with great impact on biodiversity, especially when the part used affects the survival of the plant. The bark of Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Roem. & Schult.) T.D. Penn. (Sapotaceae, common name quixabeira or jungleplum) is the part most frequently used in traditional medicine, and this study had as objective to verify if the leaves present the same metabolites as the the bark. Furthermore, based on the reported preparation mode, it was also analyzed whether there is a change in the quality of the metabolites extracted when different extraction methods are used (aqueous, cachaça or sugarcane liquor, as used in garrafadas, and ethanolic).Methods: Quixabeia leaves and bark were collected, dried and ground, to prepare the raw extracts (aqueous, cachaça and ethanolic) separately. Phytochemical screening was performed to evaluate for the following chemical constituents: alkaloids, flavonols, flavones, flavononols, xanthones, triterpenes, tannins, saponins and steroids. Results:The results obtained with both alcoholic extracts and with the aqueous extract showed similarity between the classes of medicinal interest compounds both in the leaves and in the bark. The results demonstrate that there are no losses of metabolites when the population uses cachaça or aqueous extract. Conclusions:The obtained results open the possibility of replacing the use of the bark by the use of the leaves, reducing the impact of the extraction, promoting more time for the regeneration of the bark and favoring the conservation of the species, without loss of medicinal characteristics so appreciated by the local populations.

HPLC–DAD analysis and antimicrobial activities of Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae)

“…Both the solution and the insoluble residue were reserved for further tests. The detection of each metabolite class was carried out following specific protocols, as widely reported in the literature (Morais-Braga et al 2016b;Barbosa et al 2019;Carvalho et al 2020).…”