Bitter amapa (Parahancornia fasciculata (Poir.) Benoist) produces a latex, which is presumed to have medicinal properties, as it is used in the treatment of malaria, lung problems, gastritis, and as healing agent. This study aimed to analyze structural and histochemically the sites of production and/or accumulation of biologically active compounds, as well as to determine the kind of flavonoids present in the leaf blade of bitter amapa. For structural and histochemical analysis we used standard protocols in plant anatomy. Whereas to assay flavonoids we used absorption spectrometry in the ultraviolet-visible region. The secretory system of bitter amapa leaves is constituted of both secretory idioblasts and branched laticifers. Histochemical tests revealed different types of chemical substances in the cell protoplast of idioblasts and laticifers. Pharmacological properties of bitter amapa latex can be attributed to two chemical compounds (flavonoids and alkaloids) found in this study, both of them are present in idioblasts and laticifers.
Bitter amapa; Amapa milk; alkaloids; flavonoids
