Controle botânico, físico-químico e atividade anti-inflamatória de Glechon spathulata Benth. (Lamiaceae)

Abstract

The quality of plant-derived drugs must be ensured through tests of authenticity (organoleptic features, macro and microscopic identification), purity and integrity (foreign matter, total ash, acid insoluble ash, loss on drying, microbiological contaminants and heavy metals) and also by qualitative and quantitative determinations of active (s) principle (s) and / or chemical (s) marker (s) characteristic (s) of the species. Many plant species are used in traditional medicine without scientific evidence of its pharmacological properties. The purpose of this work lies in the botanical characterization, physico-chemical and anti-inflammatory activity of Glechon spathulata. Among the macroscopic features of G. spathulata leaves stand out the spatulate form and subrevolute margin, finely crenulate in the middle-upper. Microscopically, the uniseriate epidermis shows straight to slightly sinuous cells, diacytic stomata, and non-glandular and glandular trichomes, dorsiventral mesophyll. Vascular bundles are collateral closed, and no crystals were identified. These features help to the botanical quality control of G. spathulata, and when analyzed in conjunction with its organoleptic properties, allow to ensure the authenticity of the sample. Furthermore, the procedures which measure the extractives content, particle size, volatile oil content, swelling index, bitterness and foaming index, and the chromatographic profile of crude ethanolic extract (CEE), its fractions and essential oil by thin layer chromatography (TLC), allow to verify the authenticity besides to reveal information about purity and integrity of this species. The chromatographic fingerprinting of CEE of G. spathulata by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was carried out in order to determine the nature of the main compounds, and the presumptive identification of the flavonoids rutin and luteolin, also it allowed the verification of the major compound rutin. Besides the authenticity of the extract obtained from aerial parts, the chromatographic fingerprinting of G. spathulata enabled to monitor its quality and to characterize its phenolic compounds. Therefore, the significant anti-inflammatory activity observed by the oral treatment with CEE of G. spathulata in chronic inflammation in rats is probably exerted by polyphenolic compounds. The performed analyses were based on techniques described in literature, official textbooks and Brazilian legislation and were useful in establishing some parameters for the quality control of aerial parts of G. spathulata as raw material for the pharmaceutical and / or food industries.