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.  
Highlights
The use of natural products for therapeutic purposes comes from the beginning of the civilizations
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
By gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, the chemical profile of P. harmala seeds was identified and the β–carbolines were identified, which are compounds of great pharmacological importance for the species
Summary
The use of natural products for therapeutic purposes comes from the beginning of the civilizations. A large portion of the world's population, especially from developing countries, makes use of herbal medicines relying on them for the cure, prevention and treatment of diseases It is a source of bioactive compounds, which contributes to the development of new therapeutic strategies (Firmo et al, 2018). To the climate of dry regions mainly found in North Africa, Middle East, India and Mongolia (Herraiz et al, 2010). This species has several therapeutic purposes, mainly highlighting the neuropharmacological, antidepressive and hallucinogenic activities. The β-carbolines action is similar to monoamine oxidase (iMAO) inhibitor drugs, which act by deactivating this enzyme responsible for the monoamines degradation (serotonin and catecholamines), and act by regulating and / or increasing their levels in the synaptic cleft (Herraiz et al, 2010; Moloudizargari et al, 2013)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
