Justicia L. (ACANTHACEAE) in Cerrado Goiano - Toxicity evaluation

The Cerrado biome has a rich biodiversity of fauna and flora, but the degradation of plant formations due to various impactful anthropogenic activities, such as the expansion of the agricultural frontier, the increase in the road network and urban growth, has the effect of reducing the genetic diversity of species. Among the various plant families that exist in the Cerrado biome, the Acanthaceae family stands out, with around 275 genera and 3,167 species. Within this family, the genus Justicia comprises approximately 2,000 species and is characterised by being the largest genus in this family. Many of the species in this genus are popularly used and are mainly characterised by the presence of alkaloids, lignins, flavonoids and terpenoids, which are compounds responsible for their pharmacological potential. However, in order to truly identify the species of the genus Justicia, it is necessary to carry out morphoanatomical control of the species. Species belonging to this genus are used to treat asthma, coughs and bronchitis, but morphoanatomical and phytochemical studies of J. pectoralis are still scarce.