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The objective of the present dissertation is to contribute for the enlargment and engrossment of the available data on the drug known as maracujá as well as on its extracts. Comprised topics include comparative morphodiagnostic studies and illustrations for P.alata Dryand., P. quadrangularis L., P. edulis Sims. and P. incarnata L.. The differentiation and characterization of the above mentioned species in terms of chemical composition was accomplished by thin layer chromatographic techniques. Chromatographical profiles were established for flavonoid and alkaloid fractions on the four species in relation to reference standards orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, and isovitexin (for flavonoids), and harman and harmin (for alkaloids). P. alata Dryand. earned a more detailed study. The quantifications of flavonoid and alkaloid fractions were performed densitometricaly by TLC and expressed as orientin and harman, respectively. Pharmacological assays carried out with extracts included acute toxicity and CNS depressor activity.