Structural organization and phytochemical analysis of Pimenta dioica (L.) Merrill (Myrtaceae) leaves collected from Gois State, Brazil

摘要

Several biological properties are attributed to the Pimenta dioica plants that are native to Central America. Given the possible variabilities in both the morpho-anatomical and chemical aspects of the species that grow in different locations, this study aimed to contribute to the pharmacognostic study of P. dioica leaves from Brazil. Therefore, we morpho-anatomically described the plants, performed a phytochemical screening, analyzed the chemical composition of the essential oil and determined the quality parameters of P. dioica leaves that were collected in Goiás State. The leaves are simple and exhibit a camptodromous-brochidodromous venation pattern. The blades exhibitanomocytic stomata on the abaxial side, a dorsiventral mesophyll, secretory cavities on both sides, and a uniseriate epidermis. Trichomes can be observed in the petiole. The tests revealed the presence of phytochemical saponins, tannins and flavonoids in the samples. The major components of the essential oil were eugenol (60.8%) and myrcene (19.3%). The results regarding the moisture content (7.87% w/w), total ash (8.84% w/w), HCl-insoluble ash (1.74% w/w) and total flavonoids (1.88% w/w) can be used as parameters for quality control of botanical material. Additionally, the results of this study indicates strong similarities between the chemical compositions of the leaves of P. dioica plants that were grown in Goiás, Brazil and those from other parts of Brazil and the world.