Atividade Antioxidante da espécie Arrabidaea chica dos municípios de Peri-Mirim e Vargem Grande – MA

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants is a widespread traditional practice in Brazil, especially among communities that value popular knowledge. Among these plants, Arrabidaea chica (pariri) stands out, known for its therapeutic properties attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Considering the scarcity of comparative studies between different parts of the plant and collection regions, this study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of extracts from the leaves and stems of Arrabidaea chica, collected in the municipalities of Peri-Mirim (Três Marias) and Vargem Grande, Maranhão. The extracts were obtained by maceration in 70% ethanol and subjected to phytochemical screening and quantification of total phenols and flavonoids by spectrophotometry, in addition to antioxidant analysis by the ABTS method. The results revealed a greater diversity of secondary metabolites in the leaves compared to the stems, with emphasis on the samples from Três Marias. The phenol content in the leaves of Três Marias (61.34 mg EAG/g of dry extract) was the only one to reach the standard considered high by the literature, while the flavonoid contents were significant in the leaves of both regions (above 60 mg EQ/g of dry extract). The antioxidant activity was also higher in the leaves of Três Marias, with IC₅₀ of 65.13 μg/mL and 3115.88 μg TE/g. Thus, it is concluded that the leaves of Arrabidaea chica have greater bioactive and antioxidant potential, especially those from the municipality of Peri-Mirim, reinforcing their relevance in popular use and in pharmacological studies