Plantas medicinais comercializadas em Marizópolis PB: perfil fitoquímico e as práticas de consumo da população.

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants for therapeutic purposes has been present in the lives of several people over the years, mainly because it is a knowledge that passes through family generations, who believe in the pharmacological action of the species existing in the Brazilian flora. However, the importance of studying the phytochemical profile of commercialized herbs is highlighted, attesting to the quality of the botanical material through analysis of the concentrations of secondary metabolites present and their therapeutic purposes. In this context, this study seeks to identify and understand the phytochemical profile of medicinal plants sold in Marizópolis-PB and the consumption practices of the population. To this end, he applied a questionnaire with a group of 115 people residing in Marizópolis and 02 local medicinal plant traders, with the purpose of identifying the plants that are most used for therapeutic purposes and the methods of use and storage in that location. 15 medicinal plants were selected based on the number of mentions made by the interviewees and the quantitative determination of Carotenoids and Chlorophyll A, B and Totals was carried out; Flavonoids and anthocyanins and total phenolic compounds. It was found that 82% of respondents had satisfactory results regarding the use of medicinal plants and make use of them. Regarding the phytochemical profile, it was found that the samples of dried plants had a higher concentration of metabolites, especially in the leaves subjected to drying, with emphasis on the Mint with higher content of Flavonoids (322.3 mg.100 g-1) and Capim santo with the highest concentration of total phenolic compounds, (10.62 mg.100 g-1.EAG). Therefore, it was noticed that most of the interviewees use medicinal plants, but they do not know which plants and under what conditions they would provide anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial actions, among other effects. In the context of bioactive compounds, 93% of the plants studied showed concentrations equivalent to data identified in the literature, concluding that plants sold in Marizópolis PB may have phytotherapeutic actions due to the presence of the metabolites.