Pharmacobotanical study of aerial vegetative organs of Senna splendida (Leguminosae): a species of ethnomedicinal interest

Abstract

. Senna splendida (Vogel) H.S.Irwin & Barneby (Leguminosae) is a ethnomedicinal species native to Brazil, popularly known in the country as “fedegoso-grande and “feijão-brabo”, it is used against kidney diseases, bronchitis, rheumatism, anemia and inflammations. A pharmacobotanical study of the aerial vegetative organs of S. splendida was carried out, looking for morphoanatomical data that can contribute to the taxonomy and quality control of its ethno-drugs. Paradermic sections of both epidermal surfaces and cross sections of the leaf and stem were made freehand. Histochemical tests were also performed to indicate the types of plant metabolites. Senna splendida is a sub-shrubby to shrubby, with cylindrical stems, leaves with 4-leaflets, sub-cylindrical petiole