Identificación de la presencia de ácido(s) aristolóquico(s) en la planta Zaragoza de los cantones Sucúa y Macas, provincia de Morona Santiago

Abstract

Traditional Ecuadorian medicine has used plants of the genus Aristolochia spp., known locally as "Zaragoza," for their therapeutic properties for generations. However, studies warn of the presence of aristolochic acids (AA-I and AA-II), nephrotoxic and carcinogenic compounds in these plants, which pose a health risk. This study qualitatively determined the presence of these compounds in leaf, stem, and bark samples from Zaragoza plants collected in the cantons of Sucúa and Macas, Morona Santiago province, using traditional extraction techniques (infusion and decoction) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis. The results show Rf values of 0.5–0.6 for AA-I and 0.4–0.5 for AA-II, with a blue green color under UV light at 366 nm, confirming their presence in 14 of 18 samples by decoction and 9 of 18 by infusion. The results indicated that the decoction was more effective than the infusion for AA extraction, likely due to the prolonged heating, which may have facilitated the release of these compounds. The plant bark presented greater chromatographic intensity, indicating higher AA concentrations. These findings highlight the risk of continued use of Aristolochia in traditional medicine and underscore the need to regulate its consumption and educate communities about its toxicity, contributing to a safer use of these plants.