PHYTOCHEMICAL PROSPECTING AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT FROM THE FLOWERS OF Melaleuca quinquenervia (CARV.) S. T. BLAKE (MYRTACEAE)

Abstract

Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav) S. T. Blake popularly known as Melaleuca, belongs to the family Myrtaceae. This is the second work on this species. The botanical material was collected in the city of Boa Vista - RR. This work focuses on the phytochemical prospection and biological activities of the ethanolic extract of the flowers of M. quinquenervia (Myrtaceae). The extract was obtained from the dried material and the toxicity determined by a saline solution of microcrustaceans Artemia salina. The phytochemical prospection revealed the presence of secondary metabolites such as phenols, tannins, alkaloids, flavones, flavonols, flavones, chalcones, Aurones and isoflavones., flavonoids, sesquiterpenolactones and other lactones, steroids and triterpenoids. The plant extract showed a high relevance due to the presence of numerous metabolites, thus proving the efficacy and use of the plant for medicinal purposes. For the cytotoxicity test, performed in triplicate of the different concentrations of the ethanolic extract, the solutions presented a lethal dose superior to 100 µg.mL^-1, therefore the extract presents low toxicity. This study contributes to the expansion of knowledge regarding the species M. quinquenervia (Myrtaceae).