The plant known as „Quina“ Strychnos pseudoquina A. St. Hil. (Loganiaceae) and its medicinal use in southwestern Mato Grosso, Brazil

It was studied the occurrence and bioactive use of Quina (Strychnos pseudoquina A. St. Hil. (Loganiaceae) in southwestern MatoGrosso (MT-sw), Brazil from 2003 to 2008. Data from fieldwork were collected for characterization of occurrence and the environment and the medical use of the plant. Alternatives were found in seedling nursery. It was evaluated in the laboratory, the bioactivity of leaf crude methanol extract (EMeQ) on larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). It seems that Quina is in MT-sw, its native occurrence is in preserved savannah, but only in places with sparse vegetation. It also seems that Quina is threatened with extinction. The local population uses the bark of the Quina to treat diarrhea, worms, fever, ulcer, and as purifying and contraceptive. The plant parts are sold in boxes of herbs in fairs in the city. The knowledge of the healers on medicinal value and uses of Quina derived from the population ancestors. In the nursery, it was found that the seeds of Quina have low germination. The seedlings and plants show an extremely slow growth. Incentives to Quina growing are needed to prevent its regional extinction. Laboratory study showed that the extract EMeQ interferes with larval development of S. frugiperda, preventing the insect from completing its cycle, causing its death. In addition to the medicinal value of Quina, its biocidal effect is presented as an alternative for pest control.

Keywords: Mato Grosso, Brazil, Bioactivity, Strychnos pseudoquina, Spodoptera frugiperda

Acknowledgement: For Fapemat – financial support, and for UNEMAT – institutional support; To the collaborators colleagues from the research group FLOBIO – (Plants carrying Bioactive substances)