African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12496

Full Length Research Paper

Chemical study of Peganum harmala seeds

Isabela Araujo e Amariz
  • Isabela Araujo e Amariz
  • Center for Drug, Food and Medicine Analysis, Federal University of São Francisco Valley - Petrolina (PE), Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Jacyara Pereira da Silva
  • Jacyara Pereira da Silva
  • Center for Drug, Food and Medicine Analysis, Federal University of São Francisco Valley - Petrolina (PE), Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Emanuella Chiara Valença Pereira
  • Emanuella Chiara Valença Pereira
  • Center for Drug, Food and Medicine Analysis, Federal University of São Francisco Valley - Petrolina (PE), Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Nathália Andrezza Carvalho de Souza
  • Nathália Andrezza Carvalho de Souza
  • Center for Drug, Food and Medicine Analysis, Federal University of São Francisco Valley - Petrolina (PE), Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
José Marcos Teixeira de Alencar Filho
  • José Marcos Teixeira de Alencar Filho
  • Center for Drug, Food and Medicine Analysis, Federal University of São Francisco Valley - Petrolina (PE), Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Renan Nunes Pereira
  • Renan Nunes Pereira
  • Center for Drug, Food and Medicine Analysis, Federal University of São Francisco Valley - Petrolina (PE), Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Ana Paula de Oliveira
  • Ana Paula de Oliveira
  • Center for Drug, Food and Medicine Analysis, Federal University of São Francisco Valley - Petrolina (PE), Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Larissa Araújo Rolim
  • Larissa Araújo Rolim
  • Center for Drug, Food and Medicine Analysis, Federal University of São Francisco Valley - Petrolina (PE), Brazil.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 05 February 2019
  •  Accepted: 12 April 2019
  •  Published: 22 May 2019

Abstract

Peganum harmala belongs to the family Zygophyllaceae and is popularly known as "Arruda of Syria". It presents a broad therapeutic potential, highlighting the anti inflammatory, anticancer, analgesic, antiseptic and antibacterial activities. It is used in the preparation of religious rituals beverages with effects on the central nervous system as an inhibitor of the enzyme monoaminoxidase, whose action is due to the presence of harmonic alkaloids of the β–carbolines group, with harmine and harmaline being the most found in P. harmala seeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical and pharmacognostic characteristics of P. harmala seeds with the aid of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Pharmacognostic characterization was performed following the 5th edition of the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. Scanning electron microscopy coupled to X-ray dispersive energy spectroscopy was performed for the seeds elemental identification. The compounds present in the species were identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Phytochemical evaluation demonstrated the major secondary metabolites. The scanning electron microscopy coupled to X-ray dispersive energy spectroscopy analysis showed the morphology of the surface and interior of the seeds, as well as the atomic chemical analysis of the structures. By gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, the chemical profile of P. harmala seeds was identified and the β–carbolines (harmaline and harmine) were identified, which are compounds of great pharmacological importance for the species. Therefore, it is concluded that this study is of great contribution to the plant material standardization that will serve as the basis for the future development of a pharmaceutical product.
 
Key words: Arruda of Syria, characterization, gas chromatography, β-carbolines, Peganum harmala.