Resumo Este estudo objetivou caracterizar a morfoanatomia, histoquímica e fitoquímica dos órgãos vegetativos de Hymenea courbaril, visando detectar estruturas secretoras ou células secretoras que armazenam metabólitos secundários, cujas atribuições conferem potencial medicinal à espécie. A coleta do material vegetal foi realizada em indivíduos nativos de H. courbaril no município de Alta Floresta, MT. O material botânico (folíolos e caule) foi fixado, foram realizadas secções transversais e paradérmicas nos órgãos, montadas em lâminas histológicas e o material fresco foi submetido a testes histoquímicos e fitoquímicos. Foram detectados canais de secreção no folíolo e caule de H. courbaril, a caracterização fito-histoquímica deu positivo para metabólitos secundários como taninos, esteroides, flavonoides, compostos fenólicos, lipídios, saponinas e glicosídeos, a presença destes compostos pode conferir à espécie atividades biológicas importantes no tratamento de diversos tipos de doenças. Além disso, tais substâncias desempenham um importante papel ecológico de manutenção e continuidade da espécie na natureza, como mecanismos contra a herbivoria e a desidratação.

Abstract This study aimed to characterize the morphology, histochemistry and phytochemistry of the vegetative organs of Hymenaea courbaril, aiming to detect secretory structures and secretory cells that store secondary metabolites, whose attributions confer medicinal potential to the species. The collection of plant material was carried out in native individuals of H. courbaril in the municipality of Alta Floresta, MT. The plant material (leaflets and stem) was fixed, transverse and paradermic sections were performed on the organs, mounted on histological slides, and the fresh material was submitted to histochemical and phytochemical tests. Secretion channels were detected in the leaflet and stem of H. courbaril, the phyto-histochemical characterization proved positive for secondary metabolites such as tannins, steroids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, lipids, saponins and glycosides, the presence of these compounds may confer important biological activities in the treatment of various types of diseases. In addition, such substances present an important ecological role in the maintenance and continuity of the species in nature as mechanisms against herbivory and dehydration.

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.

RESUMEN Aspidosperma macrocarpon Mart. (Apocynaceae) es empleada en la medicina popular para el tratamiento de la malaria y el dengue. El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar morfoanatómicamente, histoquímicamente y fitoquímicamente el tronco y la lámina foliar de A. macrocarpon, buscando identificar compuestos secundarios con potencial farmacológico para el tratamiento de ambas enfermedades. Muestras de tallos verdes y hojas de A. macrocarpon fueron recolectados en propiedades particulares en el municipio de Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, Brasil. Las secciones transversales y paradérmicas en los órganos fueron obtenidas a mano libre, con ayuda de lámina de acero, doblemente coloreadas y montadas en láminas histológicas. El material fresco fue sometido a pruebas histoquímicas y fitoquímicas para detección de saponinas, taninos, alcaloides, flavonoides, glucósidos cardiotónicos, antraquinonas, esteroides y terpenos. A. macrocarpon presenta tricomas glandulares, células secretoras y cavidades. Detectamos la presencia de taninos, flavonoides, compuestos fenólicos, glucósidos cardiotónicos y alcaloides, que pueden conferir a esta especie actividad antiplasmódica y propiedades antivirales. El presente estudio fue el primero en identificar aspectos de la composición histoquímica y fitoquímica de ramas jóvenes y hojas de A. macrocarpon que pueden estar asociados al uso popular de esa planta para el tratamiento de la malaria y del dengue en una región de transición entre los biomas Cerrado y Amazonia, donde la malaria y el dengue ocurren endémicamente.