Characterizing Casca d´anta: an Apocynaceae used to treat tropical diseases in the Amazonian region

ABSTRACT Aspidosperma macrocarpon Mart. (Apocynaceae) is used in popular medicine to treat malaria and dengue. The aim of the present study was to morphoanatomically, histochemistry and phytochemically characterize A. macrocarpon young branches and leaves, seeking to indicate secondary compounds pre...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Idesia 2019-09, Vol.37 (3), p.65-73
Main Authors: Larocca, Diene Gonçalves, Da Silva, Ivone Vieira, Ribeiro-Júnior, Norberto Gomes, Saldanha, Keyla Laisa Araújo, Rocha, Juliana Almeida, Royo, Vanessa De Andrade
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AGRICULTURE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY
Aspidosperma macrocarpon
histochemistry
histoquímica
medicina popular
pharmacological potential
popular medicine
potencial farmacológico
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:ABSTRACT Aspidosperma macrocarpon Mart. (Apocynaceae) is used in popular medicine to treat malaria and dengue. The aim of the present study was to morphoanatomically, histochemistry and phytochemically characterize A. macrocarpon young branches and leaves, seeking to indicate secondary compounds presenting medicinal potential to treat these diseases. Aspidosperma macrocarpon young branches and leaves were collected in private properties located in municipality of Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Sectional and paradermic sections were set freehand using a steelblade, were doubly stained and assembled on histological slides. The fresh material was subjected to histochemical and phytochemical tests for detection of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiotonic glycosides, anthraquinone, steroids and terpenes. Aspidosperma macrocarpon presented glandular trichomes, cavities and secretory cells. We detected the presence of tannins, flavonoid, phenolic compounds, cardiotonic glycosides and alkaloids, which may confer antiplasmodic activity and antiviral properties to the species. As far as it is known, the present study was the first to identify aspects of the histochemical and phytochemical composition of young branches and leaves A. macrocarpon which may be associated with the popular use of this plant to treat malaria and dengue in a transition region between the Cerrado and Amazon biomes, where malaria and dengue occur endemically.
ISSN:0718-3429
0073-4675
0718-3429
DOI:10.4067/S0718-34292019000300065