A tea made with the leaves or stem bark of Bauhinia pulchella Benth (Fabaceae) is used in the treatment of diabetes. Ethanol (EEF) and aqueous (EAF) extracts were obtained from the leaves and the antioxidant and citotoxic activities were tested, as well as quantify the content of flavonoids and phenolic compounds (TPC). EEF and EAF showed similar profiles by HPLC, with the presence of three compounds. Column chromatography reverse phase (C18) and Sephadex LH-20, followed by semi preparative HPLC-C18 of EAF resulted in three flavonoids. Their structures were identified by 1H and 13C NMR as myricitrin (1), quercitrin (2) and afzelin (3). In assay of determination of reactive substances to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS), with DPPH, ABTS and nitric oxide (NO•) free radicals, EAF showed antioxidant potential higher than the EEF. This is the first report of the occurrence of the flavonoids 1-3, in the species B. pulchella. EEF and EAF were inactive in the cytotoxicity assays. In short, the polar extracts from the leaves of B. pulchella proved to be promising sources of biomolecules phenolic, with antioxidant potential, which may, in the future, be used as chemical markers for species and validation of therapeutic use.

Com o objetivo de contribuir para o conhecimento da fitofisionomia de transição de uma área no município de Campo Maior, recoberto pela vegetação denominada Complexo de Campo Maior, utilizou-se o método de quadrantes, considerando todos os indivíduos lenhosos incluídos cipós, com diâmetro do caule ao nível do solo (DNS) > 3cm. Foram alocados 100 pontos em cada área, Alto do Comandante e Baixão da Cobra, situadas na Fazenda Lourdes. Amostrou-se 46 espécies na primeira área e 44 na segunda, totalizando 68 espécies. Os valores de densidade e de área basal foram 2.730 e 2.799ind ha-1 e 38,22 e 38,58m² ha-1, respectivamente. As espécies com maior Índice do Valor de Importância (IVI) em Alto do Comandante foram Casearia ulmifolia Vahl ex Vent., Aspidosperma subincanum Mart., Combretum leprosum Mart. e Bauhinia ungulata L. A primeira posição de C. ulmifolia foi em conseqüência dos três parâmetros relativos. Apenas as três espécies de maiores IVI contribuíram com os maiores Índices do Valor de Cobertura (IVC). Em Baixão da Cobra, a espécie de maior IVI foi Aspidosperma subincanum Mart., também em conseqüência dos valores dos três parâmetros relativos. Destacou-se ainda, Combretum mellifluum Eichler, Bauhinia pulchella Benth. e Buchenavia capitata (Vahl.) Mart. As quatro espécies com maiores IVI corresponderam as de maiores IVC. O índice de diversidade de Shannon (H') foi de 3,20 e 3,09nats ind-1, para o Alto do Comandante e Baixão da Cobra, estes valores podem ser considerados altos quando comparados aos encontrados em trabalhos desenvolvidos na Caatinga, Carrasco e Cerrado no Nordeste brasileiro.

With the purpose to contribute to the knowledge of the phytophysionomy of transition in a area in Campo Maior province, recover for a vegetation denominated Complex of Campo Maior, utilized the Quadrants Method considering all stem diameter of > 3cm at the soil level. They were allocated 100 points in each area, Alto do Comandante and Baixão da Cobra, located in Lourdes' Farm. Were showed 46 species in Alto do Comandante and 44 in Baixão da Cobra, in a total of 68 species. The density values and of basal area were 2,730 and 2,799ind ha-1 and 38.22 and 38.58m² ha-1, respectively. The species with major rate of importance value (IVI) in Alto do Comandante were Casearia ulmifolia Vahl. ex Vent., Aspidosperma subincanum Mart., Combretum leprosum Mart. and Bauhinia ungulata L. The first position of C. ulmifolia was in consequence of three relative parameter. Only three species of major IVIs contributed with the majors rate of covering value (IVC). In Baixão da Cobra, the specie of major IVI was Aspidosperma subincanum Mart, also in consequence of three relative parameters values. Combretum mellifluum Eichler, Bauhinia pulchella Benth. and Buchenavia capitata (Vahl.) Mart. also stood out. The four species with major IVI corresponded with that ones of major IVC. The rates of diversity of Shannon (H') was 3.20 and 3.09nats ind-1 to Alto do Comandante and Baixão da Cobra, this values can be considered high when compared with the values found in works developed an Caatinga, Carrasco and Cerrado Brazilian Northeast.