**4. Medicinal and nutritional applications of phenolic compounds and related plant species**

From the development of public policies that include natural products and medicinal plants in Brazil, these alternatives have become even more viable in primary health care. This has been observed since the year 2006, when the National Program of Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines was created, which provides an identification of the population with the treatments they use, considering that this knowledge comes, in most cases, from the community itself [31]. Several of the species that are used in traditional medicine in Brazil have a high concentration of phenolic compounds in their composition, with the associated mechanisms of action relating precisely to these chemical components and several of the species associated with these strategies are highlighted in ethnopharmacological studies [5].

Coumarins are also phenolic compounds and stand out for having a widely used representative, due to their anticoagulant potential, warfarin, an oral anticoagulant traditionally used in thrombophilic disorders which has its chemical representation indicated in **Figure 5**, where it is possible to identify the various phenolic groups present in its structure. In the caatinga biome, among the main representative species rich in coumarins, is the amburana (*Amburana cearensis*). This potential can serve as a basis, including for the study of synthetic alternatives, for the identification of optimized pharmaceutical products [26].

*Brazilian Caatinga: Phenolic Contents, Industrial and Therapeutic Applications DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99223*

#### **Figure 5.**

*Structural representation of a phenolic compound widely used in medicine as an anticoagulant (coumarin). Warfarin.*

Some of the main species of the caatinga with a high content of phenolic compounds are shown in **Table 1**, some of them can also be seen in **Figure 6** with their respective representations in studies that use High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) as part of the research. These cited species are frequently referenced in ethnopharmacological studies, especially those with a focus on medicinal activity, whether by antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory action, among others [17, 32].

In Nutrition, some medicinal plants can also be considered functional foods, and the beneficial effects occur, since the compounds can act simultaneously on different cellular targets. Among the bioactive compounds already identified are soluble and insoluble fibers, antioxidants (such as polyphenols, carotenoids, tocopherols, phytosterols, isoflavones, organosulfur compounds), plant steroids and phytoestrogens [41]. However, the prescription of medicinal plants must be performed with caution considering the possibility of side effects and interactions with drugs and nutrients, which can generate organic imbalances [42]. Among phytochemicals, there is a growing interest in the discovery and identification of phenolic compounds that occur naturally in plant species, with the aim of finding new and promising sources of antioxidants for human health [43]. In food, they are responsible for color, astringency, aroma and oxidative stability [44].

The main food sources of phenolic compounds are citrus fruits, such as lemon, orange and tangerine, in addition to other fruits such as cherry, grape, plum, pear, apple and papaya, being found in greater concentration in the pulp and in the fruit juice, in addition to green pepper, broccoli, red cabbage, onions, garlic and tomatoes, which are also excellent sources of these compounds [45]. In addition, we can emphasize some plants that belong to the caatinga biome that have a great antioxidant potential and also potential for nutritional use, such as *Moringa oleifera*, characterized as nutritious and with a wide variety of uses, almost all parts of it can be used, its leaves being a food source to combat malnutrition [46], in addition to containing considerable amounts of proteins and several micronutrients, among them vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, iron and calcium. They are also a good source of phytonutrients, such as carotenoids, and tocopherols [47].

These plants are also classified as unconventional food plants (UFP), because although they are edible, they are commonly underutilized, neglected and even considered weeds. Although not widespread, UFPs are alternatives for food and income improvement for family farmers, and can also be grown in urban backyards, adding food value to meals and even giving an exotic touch to some dishes. They are characterized by rusticity, weather resistance, longevity and great adaptability to different climates and regions. They are, in general, less demanding in fertility and irrigation,


#### **Table 1.**

*Caatinga plants with high concentration of phenolic compounds/medicinal use.*

easy in maintenance and can be planted using seeds or seedlings. With extremely diversified possibilities of flavors and very interesting nutritional characteristics, the UFPs contribute to the improvement of the local diet in the communities involved, and are also a true cultural rescue [48].

From that definition, these plants are also distinguished for being considered for localized, regional and/or seasonal consumption, with limited distribution and with no established production chain [48]. In addition, if carried out in a sustainable manner, it can be considered a form of land use with low impact on agriculture, associated with environmental conservation. Thus, the dissemination of studies carried out to the communities can help in a better direction of the use of these resources, where through them it can contribute to an improvement of health, as well as provide strategies to fight hunger in these localities, using these species in favor of the individuals who live in their surroundings [49].

*Brazilian Caatinga: Phenolic Contents, Industrial and Therapeutic Applications DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99223*

#### **Figure 6.**

*High performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) of the crude extract of Caatinga plants. 1 –* Mimosa tenuiflora *(Jurema preta); 2 –* Anacardium occidentale *(caju roxo); 3 –* Myracrodruon. Urundeuva *(aroeira do sertão); 4 –* Anadenanthera colubrina *(Angico); 5 –* Amburana cearensis *(amburana); P1 – Rutine + quercetin; P2 – Gallic acid.*
