Phytochemical evaluation of Conocarpus erectus leaves

Conocarpus erectus, popularly known as button mangrove, is one of the most common species found in mangroves and it is widely used in folk medicine for anemia, phlegm and diabetes prevention. The present study aimed to evaluate the methanolic extract of leaves of Conocarpus erectus (MELCe) to unravel its phytochemical constituents. The botanical material was collected in Itamaracá,PE, Brazil, mangrove. The extract was obtained by infusion with methanol and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). Analysis on HPTLC showed the presence of phenolic compounds, mainly ellagic acid and p-coumaric acid. In addition, to analyze and to quantify the phenolic compounds, it was performed a flavonoid quantification at concentrations of 1000, 500, and 250 μg/ml. HPLC confirmed the presence of ellagic acid and a quercetin-type compound. Flavonoid quantification assays shows 72.52 ± 5.12, 36.54 ± 1.13, and 17.29 ± 1.45 μg/ml, respectively, obtained as quercetin equivalent. Leaves of C. erectus contain phenolic compounds, and the presence of the flavonoid quercetin is suggested.