The chemical investigation of the species Pilocarpus spicatus - popularly known as jaborandi and used in traditional medicine for diseases, such as stomatitis, fever, bronchitis and psoriasis - aimed to isolate and / or identify the active substances and evaluate the antiparasitic activity of the extracts against the Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigote forms. The study resulted in the identification of nine substances, such as tridecanone, 2-heptadecanone, spathulenol, aromadendrene, β-caryophyllene, 3α-hydroxytirucalla-7,24-dien-21-oic acid, (+)-isoangenomaline, episesamin and sesamin. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature data. The hexane and methanol extracts from leaves and roots were tested in vitro against Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain and showed trypanocidal activity.
Rutaceae; Pilocarpus spicatus; trypanocidal activity
