The goal of this research was to obtain quality control parameters for the identification of the plant drug of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) L. R. Landrum that occurs in Brazilian savannah. So, two samples were collected, one in Minas Gerais state - Brazil, and the other one in Brasilia city - DF - Brazil, and the vouchers were deposited in the UFG Herbarium code number UFG-27159 and Ezechias Paulo Heringer Herbarium code number 21745-0, respectively. Part of the botanical material in both samples was prepared for microscopic analysis. The other one was air-dried, crushed to powder and used for phytochemical screening. The study has shown that P. pseudocaryophyllus leaves are hypostomatic, there are abundant unicellular trichomes in abaxial surface, there are secretory cavities with oily content and epidermal cells have thick wall. Tannins, phenolic compounds and flavonoids were detected in the phytochemical screening. The tannins had been quantified by different methods involving colorimetric and protein precipitation reactions, getting different results. This fact calls the attention for the necessity of specifying the method used together with the minimum tannins limit established. The results configure as important parameters for the quality control of the plant material and denote that the species in study take an important potential as herbal medicine that it deserves to be investigated in pharmacologic and toxicologic studies.
Quality control; morpho-anatomy; phytochemical screening; Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus
