Phytochemical study of leaves and fruits and determination of condensed tannins of Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) march

Protium heptaphyllum (Burseraceae) is a species endemic to the tropical region of South America, mainly Brazil, popularly known as true white breu, used in folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, expectorant, and healing properties. Until now, most studies have focused on the resin, with limited information on its chemical composition. In this study, extracts were collected from the bark, leaves, and immature fruits with seeds, and the content of condensed tannins and non-tannin compounds was quantified using the Stiasny method. The chemical profile of the fruits and bark of the species was analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS. The results of the study indicated that the fruits have a higher amount of condensed tannins, followed by the leaves and bark. In addition, the bark and leaves had a higher Stiasny index, revealing a proportionally higher tannin content in their extract compared to the fruits. Phytochemical analysis revealed that the aqueous extracts of P. heptaphyllum fruits and leaves consist mainly of phenolic compounds, including quinic acid, the flavonoids taxifolin and kaempferol, and their derivatives, which have not been reported in the literature for P. heptaphyllum to date. Therefore, the extracts showed potential for future pharmacological investigations.