ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: The aqueous extract of Aristolochia triangularis leaves showed activity against Artemia salina larvae, with an LD50 of 370.6 µg/mL. In experiments with Allium cepa seeds, the extract caused a 51.26% reduction in the germination index, inhibited mean root growth, and was cytotoxic at concentrations of 668 and 2,000 µg/mL. Its antioxidant activity was additionally assessed in this research and the ferric reducing antioxidant power value was found to be 391.2 µM/g. Such health-beneficial property can be attributed partly to the total phenolic content, spectrophotometrically determined as 52.67 mg/g. The occurrence of cytotoxicity suggested caution when consuming teas from A. triangularis leaves for medicinal purposes, and equally reveals the need for further studies to investigate their adverse effects.
RESUMO: O extrato aquoso de folhas de Aristolochia triangularis mostrou atividade sobre larvas de Artemia salina, com um DL50 de 370,6 µg/mL. Em experimentos com sementes de Allium cepa, o extrato provocou uma redução de 51,26% no índice de germinação, inibiu o crescimento radicular médio e foi citotóxico nas concentrações de 668 e 2.000 µg/mL. Sua atividade antioxidante foi adicionalmente avaliada nesta pesquisa e o valor de poder redutor de íons férrico foi de 391,2 µM/g. Tal propriedade benéfica para a saúde pode ser parcialmente atribuída ao conteúdo de compostos fenólicos totais, espectrofotometricamente determinada como 52,67 mg/g. A ocorrência de citotoxicidade sugeriu cautela ao consumir chás de folhas de A. triangularis para propósitos medicinais, e igualmente revela a necessidade por estudos adicionais para investigar os efeitos adversos deles.
ABSTRACT
Background The aim of the present study was to assess the genetic diversity of Pantaneiro sheep, using microsatellite markers, in order to assist maintenance and management plans, enhance mating systems and reduce the inbreeding rate. A total of 127 animals were genotyped at eight microsatellite loci. They belonged to populations from the Experimental Farm of the Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD) (Dourados/MS/Brazil) and Embrapa Pantanal (Corumbá/MS/Brazil). Results The population of Pantaneiro sheep from the UFGD exhibited a high mean number of alleles (11.13) and allelic richness (10.66). The polymorphic information content was highly informative in the locus studied, resulting in a mean value of 0.71. Observed heterozygosity was lower than expected for all molecular markers assessed. The analysis of molecular variance showed a differentiation rate of 5.2% between populations. Conclusions The results of the statistical parameters indicated that populations of Pantaneiro sheep require special attention on herd management, and it's further necessary to implement breeder exchange programs in order to preserve the genetic variability of these populations. Furthermore, the maintenance of those populations in their typical habitats is rather required to allow different responses from the herds to the interactions between genotype and environment.