ABSTRACT Solidago chilensis Meyen, belonging to the family Asteraceae, is a plant native to South America and the only representative of the genus in Brazil. This species is popularly known as “arnica” and is used to treat bruises, muscle pain and inflammation. The objective of this work was to contribute to the pharmacognostic standardization of S. chilensis. Cross-sections were obtained, by freehand, for microscopic analysis of root, stem and leaf; for these parts of the plant maceration was also performed according to the method of Jeffrey. For the leaf were still made paradermal sections, scanning electron microscopy analysis, phytochemical and histochemical tests. Thus, it was determined anatomical features useful for diagnosis of the species which, together with identification of the chemical compounds and its histolocalization, provides support to their quality control.

Acanthospermum hispidum DC., Asteraceae, is widely used in folk medicine in Brazil to treat respiratory diseases; this biological property has been attributed to its phytosterol content. This study evaluated the spectrophotometric assay method to quantify the total phytosterol content in raw materials and extracts from roots of A. hispidum. The procedure was based on the quantification at 625 nm after the Liebermann-Burchard reaction. The method was evaluated for linearity, repeatability, intermediate precision, accuracy and robustness. The date indicated that the procedure is a valid analytical tool for materials and herbal derivatives from A. hispidum.

O Lapachol é uma naftoquinona isolada de várias espécies de plantas da família Bignoniáceas, encontrado facilmente nas regiões norte e nordeste do Brasil. Conhecido por suas propriedades anticancerígenas, possui ainda antiinflamatória, analgésica, antibiótica, antimalária antitripanossoma, e antiulcerogênica. O LAFEPE® em parceria com o Departamento de Antibióticos da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE disponibiliza o Lapachol na forma de cápsulas de 250 mg e pretende, com este trabalho, apresentar uma revisão bibliográfica sobre a segurança e eficácia do Lapachol na terapêutica de modo a proporcionar uma maior difusão de conhecimentos na sua prescrição e torná-lo medicamento de referência dentro da política de genéricos do país.