Plantas medicinais utilizadas em 9 comunidades rurais de Itacoatiara e aspectos anatômicos e histoquímicos de duas espécies (Pogostemon cablin Benth e Tripogandra glandulosa (Seub.) Rohw)

Abstract

Medicinal plants are those that, in fact, may cause some effect on the human organism and its use contributes to systematization of knowledge and appreciation of local knowledge. This study’s aim was to identify via ethnobotanical research, medicinal plants, therapeutic indications and use of medicinal plants in rural communities in Arari, Itacoatiara, AM; highlight (Cyperus luzulae (L.) Rottb ex Retz and Tripogandra glandulosa (Seub.) Rohw.) as new folk medicine records; anatomically and histochemically study Pogostemon cablin Benth and Tripogandra glandulosa. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with those knowledgeable about medicinal plants using the Snowball method. Plant material was deposited in the Center for Higher Studies Herbarium, Itacoatiara. Loyalty level (FL) and Planning Priority (ROP) were analyzed, Similarity estimates used Ward's method, Diversity (Shannon Wiener) and Equitability indices verified species diversity. Testing the two species were truely newly-recorded used Capes Portal database and Scielo, selecting 100 articles to test species-absence from the literature. For Anatomical studies adult leaves were collected, fixed in FAA and preserved in 70% alcohol. Slide preparation followed standard protocols. Histochemical tests determined presence of starch, lipids, proteins, pectins, phenolics and tannins. SEM preperation involved dehydration, critical point drying and microscope slide interpretation. Informants were women, with 55-78 years the commonest age group (69,5%). Species accumulation curves indicated 36 residents provided adequate sample coverage. Informants were listed 104 species in 40 plant families. Lamiaceae predominated (11.53%). Leaves were the most commonly used plant parts (84%), and most often as a tea. Species are still used in the preparation of baths for treating spiritual ills. The ten most-cited species were: Ruta graveolens, Mentha pulegium, Kalanchoe pinnata, Byrsonima intermedia, Mentha villosa, Portulaca pilosa, Gossypium hirsutum, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Aloe vera and Vernonia condensata. The commonest use was in treat stomach ailments and ''evil eye''. By Loyalty Rates and Order of Priority, aloe was the most important plant (respectively, 0.8 and 0.64), then mastruz (0.72 and 0.51) and hortela grande (0.66 and 0.43). Medicinal plant use knowledge was only present in the older generation, being at very low frequency among young people, indicating a need to implement strategies to rescue traditional medicinal plant awareness in this social group. Two species tampão (Cyperus luzulae) and tapacu (Tripogandra glandulosa) were each cited by only one informant (one each in São João do Araçá and Nossa Senhora de Fatima) in each case as effective in treating diarrhea. The Database trawl found no articles mentioned these species medicinally. In Itacoitiara municipality, circulatory system diseases are responsible for the greatest number of deaths and emergency room visits. In the current study, patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) was the plant most cited for treating heart disease and other circulatory system problems. Anatomical studies of tapacu were first for the literature. Pogostemon cablin had many glandular trichomes, indicating a high concentration of essential oils. Leaves were functionally hypostomatic (stomata on both sides of the epidermis). Histochemical analysis identified, lipids, proteins, phenolics, tannins, pectins and starch. Tapucu had hypostomatic leaves with stomata on the epidermal abaxial surface. Glandular and simple trichomes were present. Bulliform epidermis cells and raphides were present. Tapucu tested positive for starch, pectin, proteins, tannin and phenolic compounds.