Phytochemical screening of the Dicksonia sellowiana leaves and its structures

Abstract Dicksonia sellowiana (Dicksoniaceae) is a tree fern characteristic of the mixed ombrophilous forests of southern Brazil in the Atlantic Forest. Due to its extensive use in the past for making garden pots, this species is at risk of extinction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition of D. sellowiana leaves and their structures and correlate it with their antioxidant potential. Measurements of moisture content, extraction yield, preliminary phytochemical analysis, chemometric analysis by 1H NMR PCA, UPLC-PDA-MS analysis, total polyphenol content, and antioxidant activity were conducted on the leaves and their structures. The phytochemical composition confirmed the presence of polyphenols, including tannins and flavonoids (derived from kaempferol), with higher concentrations in the pinna and lower in the rachis. The pinnule exhibits high diversity and concentration of phytochemical compounds, which justify its antioxidant activity due to the presence of polyphenols. In conclusion, this study highlights that the pinnae and leaves of D. sellowiana exhibit a similar and more diverse phytochemical composition compared to the other evaluated structures, showing higher concentrations of polyphenols and antioxidant activity. The results reinforce the preservation of the endangered species and its potential as a resource for pharmacological and nutritional phytochemical compounds.