Caracterização do extrato hidroalcoólico atomizado de Aspidosperma tomentosum Mart. (Apocynaceae)

Abstract

Species of Aspidosperma genus comprise trees from medium to large size and are broadly distributed through the continent, with about 50 species catalogued in Brazil. Aspidosperma tomentosum is a Brazilian native tree which can reach 15 meters high and which presents studies, although rare, describing its antineoplasic, on cardiovascular system, antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Furthermore, alkaloids have been isolated from it. Considering the described biological activities, contrasting with the scarcity of studies found, we performed a work with the stem bark hydroalcoholic (crude) extract, aiming the identification of bioactive compounds, the obtainment and characterization of a pharmaceutical in a powder form, the isolated compounds quantification and the evaluation of antioxidant activity. A precipitate in methanol was obtained derived of the crude extract, from which was possible to isolate and identify the flavonoids quercetin and isorhamnetin. The crude extract was spray dried, using colloidal silicon dioxide as drying adjuvant (10%), and a finely powdered product, with yield of 49%, was made. Infrared spectroscopy showed the same absorptions for crude and spry dried extracts. The product exhibited thermal stability, low moisture content (5.29%) and elevated residue above 600 ºC. Flavonoid quantification by HPLC showed that the content of these compounds in the spray dried extract (17,32%) is lower than in the crude extract (44%). Data of quantification and thermal analysis suggest that an accumulation of adjuvant took place during the drying process. Crude extract, spray dried extract and the precipitate exhibited antioxidant activity in the analyzed concentration (4.95 μg/mL).