Charles Daniel dos Anjos Carvalho¹, Alessandra Sussulini¹

Traditional knowledge associated with the use of medicinal plants in riverside communities of the Brazilian Amazon represents a rich source of empirical knowledge and pharmacological potential that remains largely underexplored by modern science. Among popular practices, “garrafadas” (liquid preparations containing plant extracts in hydroalcoholic or aqueous solutions) stand out for their widespread use in the treatment of gynecological disorders, chronic pain, and inflammatory conditions. Despite their recurrent use, these formulations lack scientific validation regarding their chemical composition and therapeutic safety, which hinders their formal recognition as therapeutic resources.

In this context, the present study aims to investigate and characterize pharmaceutically relevant biomolecules contained in a “garrafada” commercialized in a riverside community in the State of Pará using untargeted metabolomics. Metabolomics enables the characterization of complex metabolic profiles and, therefore, serves as a tool to enhance traditional practices through a scientific perspective. Ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) was used to map the main metabolites present in a “garrafada” sample.

The data obtained by UHPLC-HRMS was analyzed with the aid of bioinformatics software such as MZmine and GNPS, allowing compound annotation, molecular network construction, and chemical characterization of the sample. It is expected to identify chemical classes such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids, which are frequently associated with pharmacological bioactivity, in addition to generating data that may support future functional studies. The analysis focuses on identifying and interpreting the presence and abundance of the identified metabolites, with discussion based on available scientific literature, especially concerning their potential anti-inflammatory activities, aiming to propose a correlation between chemical composition and the reported traditional use.

Preliminary data indicate the presence of glycosylated terpenoids, sugars, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Among the molecules already suggested by GNPS, some have documented anti-inflammatory activity, corroborating their popular use in different contexts for the treatment of several illnesses affecting the population in the Amazon region.

The study also intends to relate the compounds found in the “garrafada” to the community empirical knowledge, verifying the coherence between the chemical profile and traditional use. The central hypothesis suggests that the synergistic combination of compounds present in the “garrafada” may act as selective modulators of hormonal receptors, which would justify its use in conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and uterine fibroids, which are pathologies associated with hormonal dysregulation and inflammatory processes.

This research contributes to strengthening the dialogue between science and traditional knowledge, situating itself within the fields of metabolomics and ethnopharmacology. In addition to validating traditional practices, it seeks to promote the scientific valorization of natural products, while respecting ethical principles and the conservation of Amazonian biocultural heritage.

Agradecimentos: CNPq, FAPESP, CAPES e FINEP