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

摘要

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 metghods are used (aqueous, cacha?a directly in the bottle, and ethanolic). Methods: Quixaba leaves and bark were collected, dried and ground, to prepare the raw extracts (aqueous, cacha?a 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 compounds both in the leaves and in the bark. The results demonstrate that metabolites of medicinal interest are present in aqueous and cacha?a extracts, prepared both from the bark and leaves of quixaba. 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.