Anatomical and histochemical characterization of stem and leaves of Bauhinia pulchella Benth. (Fabaceae)

Abstract

Bauhinia pulchella Benth. (Fabaceae), is native to Brazil and popularly known as pata-de-bode. In folk medicine, it is used to treat diabetes. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated different properties, such as cytotoxic and antioxidant, and different chemical constituents, such as essential oil, triterpenoids, steroids, among others. In order to highlight the morphological differences of the species B. pulchella from the others of the genus, and its pharmacological potential, the present study aimed to carry out the anatomical and histochemical characterization of the stem and leaves of B. pulchella. Usual methods in plant anatomy were used in the preparation of semi-permanent slides containing cross sections of the stem, petiole and leaf blade and paradermal sections of the leaf blade for analysis in light microscopy and polarized light. Histochemical tests were also performed to localize the metabolites in the stem and leaf blade. The stem of B. pulchella has a cylindrical outline, the bark is composed of 7-8 layers of cells and discontinuously distributed sclerenchyma; petiole presents flat convex contour, prominences in the adaxial region, concentric amphicrivral vascular bundle, surrounding a small concentric anfivasal intramedullary bundle, adaxially two accessory bundles and tector trichomes; leaf blade with anisocytic and tetracytic stomata on the adaxial surface and anisocytic, tetracytic and anomocytic on the abaxial surface; and midrib with plain-convex outline, 1-2 layers of collenchyma and covering trichomes. Characteristics that differ from other species of the genus Bauhinia. Alkaloids, phenolic compounds, lipophilic compounds, lignin, triterpenes, steroids and tannins were observed in the species. The results are fundamental for the pharmacobotanical standardization of the studied species.

Full text

1/8Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2023, vol. 83, e273614 | https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.273614
Original Article
THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON NEOTROPICAL BIOLOGY
THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENT
ISSN 1519-6984 (Print)
ISSN 1678-4375 (Online)
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use,
distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Bauhinia pulchella Benth. (Fabaceae), is native to Brazil and popularly known as pata-de-bode. In folk medicine, it
is used to treat diabetes. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated different properties, such as cytotoxic and
antioxidant, and different chemical constituents, such as essential oil, triterpenoids, steroids, among others. In
order to highlight the morphological differences of the species B. pulchella from the others of the genus, and its
pharmacological potential, the present study aimed to carry out the anatomical and histochemical characterization
of the stem and leaves of B. pulchella. Usual methods in plant anatomy were used in the preparation of semi-
permanent slides containing cross sections of the stem, petiole and leaf blade and paradermal sections of the leaf
blade for analysis in light microscopy and polarized light. Histochemical tests were also performed to localize the
metabolites in the stem and leaf blade. The stem of B. pulchella has a cylindrical outline, the bark is composed of 7-8
layers of cells and discontinuously distributed sclerenchyma; petiole presents flat convex contour, prominences in
the adaxial region, concentric amphicrivral vascular bundle, surrounding a small concentric anfivasal intramedullary
bundle, adaxially two accessory bundles and tector trichomes; leaf blade with anisocytic and tetracytic stomata
on the adaxial surface and anisocytic, tetracytic and anomocytic on the abaxial surface; and midrib with plain-
convex outline, 1-2 layers of collenchyma and covering trichomes. Characteristics that differ from other species
of the genus Bauhinia. Alkaloids, phenolic compounds, lipophilic compounds, lignin, triterpenes, steroids and
tannins were observed in the species. The results are fundamental for the pharmacobotanical standardization
of the studied species.
Keywords: Bauhinia pulchella, histochemical analysis, pharmacobotany.
Resumo
Bauhinia pulchella Benth. (Fabaceae), é nativa do Brasil e popularmente mais conhecida como pata-de-bode.
Na medicina popular, é utilizada no tratamento de diabetes. Estudos farmacológicos demonstraram diferentes
propriedades, como por exemplo, citotóxica e antioxidante, e diferentes constituintes químicos, como óleo essencial,
triterpenoides, esteroides, entre outros. A fim de evidenciar as diferenças morfológicas da espécie B. pulchella das
demais do gênero, e seu potencial farmacológico, o presente estudo teve como objetivo realizar a caracterização
anatômica e histoquímica do caule e das folhas de B. pulchella. Métodos usuais em anatomia vegetal foram utilizados
na preparação de lâminas semipermanentes contendo seções transversais do caule, pecíolo e lâmina foliar e seções
paradérmicas da lâmina foliar para análises em microscopia óptica de luz e luz polarizada. Testes histoquímicos
também foram realizados para localizar os metabólitos no caule e lâmina foliar. O caule de B. pulchella apresenta
contorno cilíndrico, casca composta de 7-8 camadas de células e esclerênquima distribuído descontinuamente;
pecíolo apresenta contorno plano convexo, proeminências na região adaxial, feixe vascular concêntrico anficrivral,
circundando pequeno feixe concêntrico anfivasal intramedular, adaxialmente dois feixes acessórios e tricomas
tectores; lâmina foliar com estômatos anisocíticos e tetracíticos na face adaxial e anisocíticos, tetracíticos e
anomocíticos na face abaxial; e nervura central com contorno plano-convexo, 1-2 camadas de colênquima e
tricomas tetores. Características que difere de outras espécies do gênero Bauhinia. Alcaloides, compostos fenólicos,
compostos lipofílicos, lignina, triterpenos, esteroides e taninos foram observados na espécie. Os resultados são
fundamentais para a padronização farmacobotânica da espécie estudada.
Palavras-chave: Bauhinia pulchella, análise histoquímica, farmacobotânica.
Anatomical and histochemical characterization of stem and
leaves of
Bauhinia pulchella
Benth. (Fabaceae)
Caracterização anatômica e histoquímica de caule e folhas de Bauhinia pulchella Benth.
(Fabaceae)
J. L. Carvalhoa , C. S. Magalhãesb , R. O. Rodriguesc  and K. P. Randaua,b* 
a Universidade Federal de Pernambuco – UFPE, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências
Farmacêuticas, Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Recife, PE, Brasil
b Universidade Federal de Pernambuco – UFPE, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Inovação Terapêutica,
Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Recife, PE, Brasil
c Universidade Federal do Ceará – UFC, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Laboratório de Imunologia, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
*e-mail: karina.prandau@ufpe.br
Received: April 3, 2023 – Accepted: September 29, 2023

Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2023, vol. 83, e2736142/8
Carvalho, J.L. et al.
can significantly contribute to the diagnosis of the
characteristics that help to differentiate the species of the
genus and elaborate new drugs. For this purpose, this study
aims to anatomically characterize the aerial vegetative
organs of B. pulchella, in addition to identifying the points
of accumulation of metabolites present in the species
through histochemistry to contribute with information
on the species differentiation for greater quality control.
In addition, the description of native plants contributes
to the recognition of Brazilian biodiversity.
2. Material and Methods
According to standard herbarium techniques (Bridson
and Forman, 2010), adult shrub specimens of B. pulchella
were collected in the city of São Benedito - Ceará, on the
state road CE-321, km 59, geographical coordinate 4°4’54”
S, 40°50’21’ W. Exsiccate No. 29.463 was deposited in
the Herbarium Jaime Coelho de Moraes of the Federal
University of Paraíba in the Campus de Areia and identified
by Professor Dr. Leonardo Pessoa Felix.
For anatomical characterization, the material was fixed
in FAA50 (formaldehyde Vetec®, acetic acid Vetec®, and
50% ethyl alcohol Vetec®, 1:1:18 v/v) (Johansen, 1940).
Cross-sections of stem in secondary structure, petiole,
and leaf blade were obtained freehand, using steel blades
and pith of the embaúba petiole (Cecropia sp.) as support
material. For the leaf blade, paradermal sections were
performed on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Then, the
sections were subjected to a sodium hypochlorite (Vetec®)
solution (50%) for decolorization (Kraus and Arduin, 1997).
After washing in distilled water, the cross-sections were
stained according to the technique described by Bukatsch
(1972), with Safranin (Ranylab®) and Astra blue (Ranylab®);
paradermal sections were stained with methylene blue
(Ranylab®) (Krauter, 1985). Subsequently, all sections
were mounted on semi-permanent slides, following usual
procedures in plant anatomy (Johansen, 1940; Sass, 1958).
Histochemical tests were performed on cross-sections
of stem and fresh leaf blades obtained by the same method
used for anatomical characterization. The following
reagents were used to indicate the presence of metabolites:
potassium dichromate (Interlab®, 10%) for phenolic
compounds (Johansen, 1940), Dragendorff (Synth®) for
alkaloids (Yoder and Mahlberg, 1976), hydrochloric vanillin
(Synth®) for tannins (Mace and Howell, 1974), Sudan III
(Interlab®) for lipophilic compounds (Sass, 1958), antimony
trichloride (Dinâmica®) for triterpenes and steroids
(Mace et al., 1974), Lugol (Interlab®) for starch (Johansen,
1940), phloroglucinol (Interlab®) for lignin (Johansen,
1940), and hydrochloric acid (Vetec®, 10%) to establish
the nature of crystals (Jensen, 1962). Controls without
reagents were performed in parallel to the histochemical
tests, and semi-permanent slides were prepared containing
cross-sections (Johansen, 1940; Sass, 1958).
The analysis was conducted on images using an optical
light microscope (Leica DM750M) coupled with a digital
camera (Leica ICC50W) and processed in software (LAS EZ).
1. Introduction
The Fabaceae (Lindl.) family corresponds to the largest
family in the number of species in Brazil with a cosmopolitan
distribution, with 253 genera and about 3031 species in
the country (JBRJ, 2023). Due to the ecological plasticity of
this family, it presents centers of biodiversity in different
habitats with varied climates, soils, and topography
(Wojciechowski, 2003; Wojciechowski et al., 2004).
For many years, the family has been studied in taxonomic
(Bentham, 1865; Cronquist, 1981; Ribeiro, 1998; Lima, 2000;
Gomes et al., 2017), economic, ornamental and medicinal
research (Miotto et al., 2008; Souza and Lorenzi, 2008;
Martins, 2009; Souza and Souza, 2011; Pereira et al., 2019).
The genus Bauhinia L. is included in the Fabaceae
family and belongs to the Cercidoideae subfamily, which
is considered a monophyletic subfamily according to
phylogenetic studies (Vaz and Tozzi, 2005). In Brazil, several
representatives of the genus are used in traditional medicine
as hypoglycemic agents. The leaves have antidiabetic,
diuretic, and hypocholesteremia properties, popularly
used against cystitis, intestinal parasites, and elephantiasis
(Mors et al., 2000). In addition, antifungal, antibacterial,
antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties
were attributed to the genus (Silva and Cechinel-Filho,
2002; Rashed and Butnariu, 2014; Prabhu et al., 2021).
The medicinal potential of the genus is quite high, with
three representatives on the National Relation of Medicinal
Plants of Interest to the Unified Health System (RENISUS)
list: B. affinis Vogel, B. forficata Link and B. variegata L.
(Brasil, 2022).
Among the species of the genus, B. pulchella is native
to Brazil and occurs in the phytogeographic regions of the
Amazon, Caatinga, and Cerrado (Santos et al., 2019), where it
is popularly known as catingueira, miroro, mororo, mororo-
de-bode, pata-de-cabra, pata-de-bode, and pata-de-vaca
(Queiroz, 2009; Aguiar and Barros, 2012). As some popular
names suggest, it has a split leaf in the middle, forming
two lobes or leaflets, which resembles a bovine or goat
foot, with morphological characteristics that are similar to
representatives of the genus Bauhinia (Lorenzi and Matos,
2008; Lusa and Bona, 2009), confusing its identification
and, in some cases, leading to intoxication, since in the
genus may contain some toxic species (Rivera et al., 1994;
Nogueira and Sabino, 2012).
In folk medicine, the leaves and stem bark of B. pulchella
are used as a tea to treat diabetes (Aguiar and Barros, 2012).
Pharmacological studies have shown that the plant has
larvicidal activity against the Aedes aegypti and cytotoxic,
anthelmintic, and antioxidant properties (Sousa et al., 2016;
Lopes et al., 2016; Carvalho et al., 2018). Reports from the
literature emphasize that the vegetable extracts used to
treat diabetes also have a significant antioxidant effect
(Khalil et al., 2008; Cunha et al., 2010). Moreover, chemical
studies have shown flavonol glycosides (Sousa et al., 2016;
Carvalho et al., 2018), triterpenoids, steroids, phenolic
compounds and essential oil (Monteiro et al., 2022).
Highlighting the morphological similarity of Bauhinia
species, the pharmacological potential presented by
B. pulchella, and the scarcity of chemical studies of the
species, it is evident the need for more studies, which

Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2023, vol. 83, e273614 3/8
Anatomical and histochemical of Bauhinia pulchella.
3. Results and Discussion
In the cross-section of the stem of B. pulchella in secondary
growth, a cylindrical contour with a bark composed of
7-8 layers of flattened oblong cells is observed, followed
by 5-6 layers cortical parenchyma (Figure 1a and 1b).
Sclerenchyma is observed discontinuously distributed
throughout the stem surrounding the vascular cylinder
(Figure 1b). The vascular cylinder is a closed collateral
(Figure 1a and 1b). In the central region, medullary
parenchyma is observed (Figure 1a). Duarte and Debur
(2003) described the stem of B. microstachya (Raddi) J.
F. Macbr. with a flattened shape which is slightly enlarged
in the central portion, with periderm with tabular cells
constituting the bark. Adjacent to it, parenchyma cells and
a sclerenchymatic sheath involving the vascular system
were described. In the central region, the pith formed four
poles resembling a cross with thick-walled parenchymatic
cells where idioblasts containing crystals were observed,
often prismatic and, rarely assuming the drusen form. In B.
pulchella, no crystals were observed.
In the cross-section, the convex plane contour of the
petiole can be observed with its prominences in the
adaxial region (Figure 2a). The epidermis is uniseriate
(Figure 2a and 2b) and covered by a thick cuticle
(Figure 2b). Adjacent to the epidermis is the fundamental
parenchyma composed of 5-6 cell layers (Figure 2a and 2b).
Sclerenchymatic tissue is observed surrounding the
entire vascular bundle (Figure 2c). It is observed a large
amphicribral concentric vascular bundle, surrounding
a small intramedullary amphivasal concentric bundle
(Figure 2c), and being flanked adaxially by two small
collateral accessory bundles (Figure 2a and 2d). Tector
trichomes can be observed throughout the petiole
epidermis (Figure 2e). Duarte and Debur (2003) described
the petiole of B. microstachya with a semicircular contour
and slightly flattened on the adaxial surface, presenting a
unistratified epidermis. Then, 4-6 layers of fundamental
parenchyma were described, and in the central region, an
anficrival vascular bundle with sclerenchymatic sheath
involving the entire vascular system. The authors did not
describe accessory bundles for B. microstachya, a feature
that differs from the present study. Ferreira et al. (2003),
analyzing the characters of B. blakeana Dunn., described the
petiole with a flat-convex contour with two protrusions,
unistratified epidermis covered by a striated cuticle,
followed by 3-4 layers of collenchyma with prism and
druse crystals. The fundamental parenchyma is formed by
6-7 layers of cells, and discontinuous sclerenchymatic tissue
surrounds the vascular region. The authors also described
8-10 vascular bundles for B. blakeana; of these, one to
two collaterals in each salience and the other bilaterals
located in the central region. In addition, unicellular and
multicellular tector trichomes were observed, and rare
glandular trichomes were also noted. Lusa and Bona
(2009) described the B. forficata petiole with an elliptical
shape presenting two lateral projections. On the adaxial
surface, the uniseriate epidermis is covered by a thin
cuticle. Internally to the epidermis, there is a discontinuous
band of collenchyma, followed by cortical parenchyma
and an extensive sheath of fibers, which surrounds
the vascular cylinder with a collateral vascular bundle.
Elbanna et al. (2016) described the B. vahlii Wight and
Arnott. petiole with circular contour, epidermis covered
by smooth cuticle, followed by 7-9 layers of collenchyma,
with an open collateral vascular bundle and observed
the presence of non-glandular trichomes and prism-like
crystals detected in all layers of the petiole and the pith
may have agglomerated.
In the paradermal sections, the leaf blade of B. pulchella
presents epidermal cells with slightly curved walls on both
adaxial (Figure 3a) and abaxial (Figure 3b-d) surfaces.
The leaf blade is classified as amphistomatic with anisocytic
and tetracytic stomata on the adaxial surface (Figure 3a)
and anisocytic, tetracytic, and anomocytic stomata on
the abaxial surface (Figure 3b-d). Lusa and Bona (2009)
observed in B. forficata an adaxial surface with slightly
curved walls and an abaxial surface with straight anticline
walls. Anomocytic stomata were observed on both surfaces.
Pereira et al. (2018) described the anatomical characters
of B. cheilantha (Bong.) Steud., B. pentandra (Bong.)
Steud., and B. ungulata L., observed straight to slightly
curved epidermal walls in B. cheilantha, B. pentandra,
and B. ungulata on the adaxial surface. On the abaxial
surface of B. cheilantha and B. pentandra they observed
curved walls, and in B. ungulata, curved and papillose
Figure 1. Cross-section of the stem of B. pulchella. (a) Stem
in secondary growth; (b) Details of sclerenchyma, phloem,
cortical parenchyma, bark, and xylem. vc: vascular cylinder; scl:
sclerenchyma; ph: phloem; cp: cortical parenchyma; mp: medullary
parenchyma; ba: bark; xy: xylem.

Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2023, vol. 83, e2736144/8
Carvalho, J.L. et al.
walls. Furthermore, the authors described Bauhinia
species with amphistomatic leaves with anomocytic and
anisocytic stomata occurring on both surfaces. Paracytic-
type stomata were also observed on both surfaces of B.
pentandra and B. ungulata. Antunes et al. (2021) described
the species B. monandra Kurz with sinuous to straight cell
walls on the adaxial surface and straight on the abaxial
surface, classifying the leaf blade as amphistomatic with
paracytic and anomocytic stomata on the abaxial surface.
The stomata are scarce on the adaxial surface.
The midrib exhibits a flat-convex contour (Figure 3e).
The epidermis is uniseriate (Figure 3e and 3f) and covered
by a thin cuticle (Figure 3f). The midrib comprises 1-2 layers
of collenchyma on the adaxial surface (Figure 3e and 3g),
and the fundamental parenchyma fills the entire vein
(Figure 3e and 3f). The vascular bundle is the collateral type
(Figure 3g). Around the vascular bundle, sclerenchymatic
tissues are observed (Figure 3f and 3g). Tector trichomes
are distributed on the abaxial face (Figure 3f). Duarte and
Debur (2003) described the leaf blade of B. microstachya as
a biconvex contour with prominence on the abaxial surface;
the epidermis is uniseriate with collenchyma interrupting,
being replaced by the fundamental parenchyma where a
collateral vascular bundle surrounded by a sclerenchyma
sheath is immersed. The species B. cheilantha, B. pentandra,
and B. ungulata presented uniseriate and papillose
epidermis, with a thick cuticle in B. cheilantha and B.
ungulata but a thin cuticle in B. pentandra. The midrib
of the species is flat-convex, with collateral vascular
bundles delineated by two sclerenchyma ribbons, with a
crystalline sheath and collenchymatous cortex with sparse
drusiferous idioblasts; The median portion of the midrib of
B. cheilantha has an arch-shaped central vascular bundle,
“V” shaped in B. pentandra and “U” shaped in B. ungulata
(Pereira et al., 2018). Antunes et al. (2021) described the
B. monandra uniseriate epidermis adjacent to the abaxial
epidermis, with two layers of collenchyma, 5-6 collateral
vascular bundles interconnected by a band of parenchyma
and surrounded by a thick layer adjacent to the phloem,
constituted by septate fibers, in addition to describing
the species with drusen-like crystals in the parenchyma.
The mesophyll is dorsiventral, composed of 2-3 layers of
palisade parenchyma and 1-3 layers of spongy parenchyma
(Figure 3h). Ferreira et al. (2003) described B. blakeana
as a dorsiventral mesophyll with 3-4 layers of palisade
parenchyma and 4-5 layers of spongy parenchyma with
large intercellular spaces. The mesophyll of B. ungulata is
dorsiventral in the cross-section, with a layer of palisade
parenchyma; in B. cheilantha and B. pentandra, two layers
of the same parenchyma are observed with drusiferous
idioblasts; The spongy parenchyma showed 2–4 layers in B.
cheilantha and B. pentandra, with small intercellular spaces;
In B. ungulata, the spongy parenchyma has 4-5 layers, with
large intercellular spaces; Prismatic crystal idioblasts were
observed in the vascular systems of secondary bundles,
mainly in B. pentandra (Pereira et al., 2018). Antunes et al.
(2021) described the species B. monandra as a dorsiventral
mesophyll with two layers of palisade parenchyma
and about two layers of spongy parenchyma. Also, the
authors observed the presence of drusen-like crystals in
the mesophyll.
Figure 4 shows the stem in cross-sections subjected
to histochemical characterization. Figure 4a shows
the stem without any reagent. Alkaloids (Figure 4b),
starch (Figure 4c), and phenolic compounds (Figure 4d)
were evidenced in the cortical parenchyma. In the
suber and parenchyma, lipophilic compounds were
observed (Figure 4e). Figure 4e shows lignin observed
Figure 2. Cross-section of the B. pulchella petiole. (a) General aspect of the petiole; (b) Details of the epidermis, cuticle, and fundamental
parenchyma; (c) Detail of the vascular bundle and sclerenchyma; (d) Detail of the accessory vascular bundle; (e) Detail of the tector
trichome. ct: cuticle; ep: epidermis; scl: sclerenchyma; ab: accessory beam; ph: phloem; vb: vascular bundle; fp: fundamental
parenchyma; tt: tector trichome; xy: xylem.

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Anatomical and histochemical of Bauhinia pulchella.
in the sclerenchyma and in the xylem. Tests for tannins,
triterpenes and steroids were negative. Monteiro et al.
(2022), using Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography
and semi-preparative HPLC, identified triterpenoids,
steroids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds in the stem
of the species B. pulchella, corroborating, in part, with the
findings in the present study. Tests for starch were negative.
Monteiro et al. (2022), using Sephadex LH-20 column
chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC, identified
triterpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds
in the stem of the species B. pulchella, corroborating, in
part, with the findings in the present study.
Figure 5 shows the leaf blade in cross-sections subjected
to histochemical characterization. Figure 5a shows the leaf
blade without any reagent. Alkaloids were evidenced in
the fundamental parenchyma (Figure 5b), and phenolic
compounds in the sclerenchyma and the fundamental
parenchyma (Figure 5c). In the cuticle, lipophilic compounds
were observed (Figure 5d). Figure 5e shows lignin
observed in the sclerenchyma and the vascular bundle
Figure 3. Paradermal and transverse sections of the B. pulchella leaf blade. (a) Adaxial surface; (b-d) Abaxial surface; (e-h) General
appearance and details of the leaf blade; (f) General appearance of the mesophyll; (h) Details of the mesophyll. co: collenchyma; ct:
cuticle; ep: epidermis; scl: sclerenchyma; sto: stoma; ph: phloem; vb: vascular bundle; sp: spongy parenchyma; fp: fundamental
parenchyma; pp: palisade parenchyma; tt: tector trichome; xy: xylem.

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Carvalho, J.L. et al.
of the midrib, highlighted in the xylem. Triterpenes and
steroids were evidenced in the sclerenchyma (Figure 5f),
the fundamental parenchyma, and the trichome (Figure 5g).
In the fundamental parenchyma, clusters of tannins were
also observed (Figure 5h). Tests for starch were negative.
4. Conclusion
The present study enabled the identification of
anatomical and histochemical parameters for the diagnosis
of the species B. pulchella, since different representatives
of the genus Bauhinia are recommended in the RENISUS
list for their medicinal potential. In the light microscopy
evaluation, it was possible to identify and anatomically
characterize the stem, petiole, and leaf blade, showing
differentiating characteristics such as stem shape, absence
of collenchyma and organization of vascular bundles in
the petiole, stomata typification, presence and absence
of glandular and non-glandular trichomes in the leaf
blade, absence of prismatic crystals or druses in the stem,
the petiole and leaf blade. Therefore, these findings are
essential to corroborate the data in the literature on the
species studied. Through the histochemical analysis,
alkaloids, phenolic compounds, lipophilic compounds,
lignin, triterpenes, steroids and tannins were observed
in the species. With this, this study contributed to the
pharmacobotanical standardization of the B. pulchella
species, to evidence and corroborate with findings already
described for the Bauhinia genus in the scientific literature
and to assist in the differentiation of species through
Figure 4. Histochemistry of the stem of B. pulchella. (a) control; (b) Dragendorff; (c) Iodine solution; (d) Potassium dichromate; (e)
Sudan III; (f) Phloroglucinol.
Figure 5. Histochemistry of the leaf blade of B. pulchella. (a) control; (b) Dragendorff; (c) Potassium dichromate; (d) Sudan III; (e)
Phloroglucinol; (f-g) Antimony trichloride; (h) Hydrochloric vanillin.

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Anatomical and histochemical of Bauhinia pulchella.
anatomy since external morphological characteristics are
similar, such as the leaf blade, for instance.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Federal University
of Ceará, Federal University of Pernambuco and Federal
University of Paraíba.
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