Histochemical and phytochemical study of amburana cearensis (Fabaceae) seed oil

Abstract

Amburana cearensis seed oil is used in traditional medicine to treat respiratory diseases. However, investigations of the chemical compounds present in this oil are necessary to prove their effectiveness. Thus, we aimed to analyze the compounds present in A. cearensis seeds it was analyzed by histochemical and phytochemical tests. Fatty acids profiles were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector, which detected the presence of high concentrations of oleic (50.1%), palmitic (15.7%), linoleic (9.7%) acids and linolenic (5.0%). Volatile components were analyzed by headspace extraction and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, with emphasis on the presence of a coumarin, which may be associated with the bronchodilator effect of the oil. Histochemical analysis of the seed oil revealed presence of alkaloids in the cell vacuoles and lipophilic components in drops in the cell cytoplasm. The analysis of A. cearensis seed oil contributed to the understanding of the therapeutic actions of the species and to the prospection of promising compounds for the development of new drugs.