Química e farmacologia de Ficus insipida e Pourouma guianensis

Abstract

Two brazilian medicinal plants, Ficus insípida Wildenow and Pourouma guyanensis Aublet, were object of phytochemical study and evaluation of biodynamic activity. The hexane extract from leaves of F. Insipida contained the following substances: n-alkans (C27-C33), squalene, simiarenol, sitosterol, stigmastetrol and psoralen. From this fraction isohopenelactone, a new pentacyclic triterpene, was isolated additionally. The latex of F. insípida showed weak antihelmintic activity against Vampirolepis nana and Aspiculuris tetraptera. However, this latex exhibited a high toxicity because of its digestive properties, suggesting the presence of proteolytic enzymes (proteases). This fact, in addition to the availability of new drugs with high efficiency and security in the control of worms makes the use of F. insipida forthis propose unadvisable. P. guyanensis, popular-ly used by the natives as cicatrizant and ant.idiarrheic, had its volatile fr-action analyzed. This resulted in the identification of mono- and sesquiterpenes, and also of methyl salicylate. Condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins) were detected in the hydroalcoholic extracts from leaves, bark of stems, stems and seeds. The study of the hexane extract from leaves resulted in the identification of friedelin, sitosterol and stigmasterol. These substances justify the popular use of P. guyanensis.