2024-09-122024-09-122024-09-122024-07-24https://repositorio.ifal.edu.br/handle/123456789/727The practice of using medicinal plants to treat diseases has been passed down from generation to generation since ancient times. Due to their pharmacological potential, they have been the subject of several studies. The species Cecropia pachystachya, which belongs to the Cecropiaceae family and is popularly known as embaúba, can be cited as one of the most studied species due to its proven therapeutic properties as well as its chemical compounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract of Cecropia pachystachya leaves and to quantify its phytochemical profile. To this end, after obtaining the crude ethanolic extract of Cecropia pachystachya leaves, tests were carried out to quantify phenolic compounds using the Folin-Ciocalteau method and quantify flavonoids using the reaction with aluminum chloride, as well as evaluating antioxidant activity using the DPPH free radical capture method. The results showed quantifications of 686.41 and 509.34 μg/mL for phenolic compounds and flavonoids, respectively. These results were higher than those found in the literature. And the minimum concentration that showed a 50% reduction in free radicals was 433.70 μg/mL. According to the literature, this result can be explained by the quantification of bioactive compounds present in the species. In view of the above, it was possible to conclude that Cecropia pachystachya can be considered a therapeutic alternative for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.Acesso AbertoQuímicaAtividade farmacológicaPlantas medicinaisEmbaúbaMetabólitos secundáriosAntioxidant activityCecropia pachystachyaSecondary metabolitesTrabalho de Conclusão de CursoCNPQ::CIENCIAS EXATAS E DA TERRA::QUIMICA