Morfo-Anatomic-Chemical Study of Medicinal Plants: Cissus Sicyoides and Momordica Charantia, Amazon Plants with Hipoglicemic Effect
Authors: Noronha Thiago Pompeu , Monteiro Janice Barros 
Published: November 2024

Objectives: This study analyzes the morphological, anatomical and chemical characteristics of the plant species Cissus sicyoides and Momordica charantia.

Theoretical Framework: These plants are empirically used by folk medicine to treat diabetes, a disease with high prevalence in Brazil. WHO data indicate a 7.6% prevalence of diabetes in Brazil, compared to 3 to 10% in the United States and Europe. In the Amazon, the prevalence is 3.3%. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia, and is either type 1 or 2. The therapy proposed by traditional medicine for type 1 is insulin, and for type 2, oral hypoglycemic agents, such as sulfonylureas and biguanides. However, in folk medicine, many plants are used to control hyperglycemia, with the same species being used in different countries, which indicates a high probability of drug efficacy.

Method: Macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of plant structures. Using the analytical method of atomic absorption and emission, the leaves presented higher concentrations of inorganic compounds (chemical micro and macro elements).

Results and Discussion: Based on these data, this research investigated the use of these plant species from the Amazonian biodiversity. It was observed, macroscopically, that both are climbing plants and have tendrils. Microscopically, Momordica charantia presents tector hairs and a centralized vascular bundle, while in Cissus sicyoides, its upper epidermis is composed of polyhedral cells with straight walls and six vascular bundles dispersed throughout the fundamental parenchyma. In contrast, the stomata in both are of the anomocytic type. Using the analytical method of atomic absorption and emission, the leaves presented higher concentrations of inorganic compounds (chemical micro and macro elements), in the order of 75% compared to the other plant structures, highlighting that, chemically, Cissus sicyoides has greater hypoglycemic relevance when compared to Momordica charantia.

Research Implications: The implications of this investigation cover several areas, such as: pharmacy, biology, botany, biotechnology and medicine. Plants that can improve diabetes and they can be used as compounds for new medicines, highlighting the need to integrate approaches to preserving the Amazon rainforest with the production of new biotechnological products that will generate financial resources to keep the forest standing, bringing a new possibility of preserving this very important ecosystem for the entire planet.

Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by analyzing innovative approaches for the integration of biotechnology, preservation of the Amazon rainforest and medicine. Its value lies in the need to develop projects that break the monotony of medicine using only synthetic compounds, promoting the possibility of new medicines from medicinal plants that can truly bring improvements in the socioeconomic conditions of the Amazonians who live and live in the forest. Experiences that enable them to preserve and work with it and not just deforest.