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Exclusive plant from the Caatinga had its chemical composition analyzed by researchers from Univasf and revealed dozens of new compounds.
The discovery of a new exclusive plant from the Brazilian Caatinga led researchers from the Federal University of the São Francisco Valley (Univasf) to investigate, for the first time, the chemical composition of the species Isabelcristinia aromatica.
The study, published in the Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society (JBCS), identified about 38 molecules present in the plant’s leaves, including compounds associated with relevant biological activities.
The species was found in rocky areas located on the border between Pernambuco and Paraíba and draws attention for characteristics considered unusual within its botanical family.
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The research involved specialists from different Brazilian and international institutions. The discovery of the species was made by Professor José Alves Siqueira, a faculty member of the Biological Sciences Collegiate at Univasf and director of the Reference Center for the Recovery of Degraded Areas of the Caatinga (CRAD).
The chemical investigation was coordinated by Professor Jackson Gudes de Almeida, head of the Center for Studies and Research of Medicinal Plants (Neplame).
Caatinga plant is unique in the world
The Isabelcristinia aromatica is the only known representative of its genus worldwide. Additionally, the species exists exclusively in the Caatinga, a Brazilian biome recognized for its biodiversity adapted to dry climate conditions.
The researchers located the plant in rocky areas between the states of Pernambuco and Paraíba. According to the scholars, the shrub stood out for its intense aroma and its ability to withstand a harsh environment.
Another factor that sparked scientific interest was the botanical family of the species, called Linderniaceae. Generally, plants from this group are found in aquatic environments. However, the new species exhibited different behavior from the others, developing in dry regions of the Caatinga.
The official description of the species was carried out by researchers from the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB).
Origin of the new species’ name
The name Isabelcristinia aromatica was created as a tribute to Professor Isabel Cristina Machado, a faculty member at the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE). The choice was made by a researcher from UFPB.
Coincidentally, Isabel Cristina was also the PhD advisor of José Alves Siqueira, responsible for the discovery of the plant.
Currently, the CRAD is the only place where the species is being cultivated.
Research investigated substances present in the plant
The scientific work analyzed the chemical compounds found in the leaves of the species. For this, researchers prepared plant extracts and used specific laboratory techniques to identify the substances present.
Among the procedures employed in the study are:
- High-performance liquid chromatography;
- Mass spectrometry;
- Chemical data comparison through the international GNPS platform;
- Analysis of methanolic extracts of the leaves.
The GNPS platform gathers information shared by scientists from different parts of the world and assists in identifying molecules present in natural products.
Using these tools, researchers were able to detect approximately 38 molecules in the species. The analysis focused mainly on medium and high polarity metabolites.
Compounds found may expand scientific studies
The study indicated that the Caatinga plant has a large amount of iridoids, compounds known for exhibiting different biological activities. Flavonoids were also identified in the species’ composition.
According to the researchers, the discovery opens the way for new stages of scientific investigation, including tests aimed at the cytotoxic activity of the plant extract.
According to Jackson Gudes de Almeida, the work represents an advancement by involving a species previously unknown to science.
“The innovation of this work lies in it being a new plant, never before described, and being the first chemical study to describe the occurrence of iridoids and flavonoids, compounds with very interesting biological activities,” stated the researcher.
The scientists explain that iridoids have recognized action against some tumor cell lines, which increases the interest in further studying the plant.
Partnerships were essential for conducting the analyses
Part of the chemical analyses was carried out with the support of the University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto campus.
At the time the research was conducted, Univasf still did not have the necessary infrastructure for conducting analyses by LC-MS, a technique used to identify chemical compounds.
Professor Norberto Pepolini Lopes, from USP, participated in the scientific collaboration that allowed the use of the infrastructure of the São Paulo institution.
Additionally, the study had international support. Professor Fausto Carnevali Neto, from the University of Washington, in the United States, collaborated in the interpretation of the data obtained during the research.
Discovery reinforces the importance of preserving the Caatinga
According to José Alves Siqueira, the study shows that the union between different fields of knowledge contributes to deepening the understanding of Brazil’s native species.
The researcher highlighted attributes of the recently identified plant, such as its resilience, adaptability, and aesthetic value. The research also reinforces the relevance of preserving the Caatinga, the only entirely Brazilian biome.
The discovery of a new species, combined with the identification of chemical compounds still little explored, highlights the great scientific potential present in the vegetation of the northeastern semi-arid region.
While the studies continue, new analyses should seek the isolation of the compounds found and a more in-depth evaluation of their biological properties.
Source: UNIVASF
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