Influence of growth regulators on distribution of trichomes and the production of volatiles in micropropagated plants of Plectranthus ornatus

ABSTRACT The profile of volatile organic compounds, the glandular and non-glandular trichomes of Plectranthus ornatus, obtained by in vitro cultivation, was evaluated in plants grown in Murashide and Skoog medium supplemented with benylaminopurine at 4.5, 9.0, and 18.0 µM + naphthaleneacetic acid at 5.37 µM, kinetin at 4.7, 9.3 and 18.5 µM + naphthaleneacetic acid (5.37 µM) or Murashide and Skoog 0 medium (as a control). Scanning Electron Microscopy was performed on samples of the third leaf node of the 90 days old plants obtained from treatment with 4.5 or 9.0 µM benylaminopurine, and 4.7 or 9.3 µM kinetin. Headspace Solid Phase Micro-Extraction of the 30, 60 and 90 days old in vitro plants permitted to determinate by GC/MS the composition comprised of 62 compounds. The data were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis and Hierarchical Clustering Analysis and, the major constituents of these oils after treatment and aging were monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Morphoanatomical analysis of trichomes, by Scanning Electron Microscopy, enabled the identification of non-glandular trichomes and four types of glandular trichomes, which comprised capitate and peltate glandular trichomes that were distributed on both sides of the leaf. We observed that the regulators influenced qualitative and quantitative profiles of the volatile organic compounds and the number and distribution of hairs on the leaf surface.

In vitro callogenesis of Poincianella pyramidalis (catingueira)

ABSTRACT This work describes the establishment of procedures to induce in vitro callogenesis from Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) L. P. Queiroz, Fabaceae, explants. Nodal, internodal and leaf segments were isolated from in vitro germinated seedlings and cultured in MS medium with 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg l-1 of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. After 30 days, the explants with induced callus showed a quadratic response for the segments nodal, internodal and leaf, with increasing the callus formation in 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid concentrations of 6.28, 6.49 and 4.91 mg l-1, respectively. In 30 days there was a linear oxidation rise with the increase to the 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. After 60 days, oxidation values were minimum, at 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid concentrations of 5.13 mg l-1 (internodal) and 3.98 mg l-1 (leaf). The highest callus production was observed after 30 days in the presence of 6.09 mg l-1, 5.82 mg l-1 and 4.91 mg l-1 of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in nodal, internodal and leaf segments, respectively. After 60 days these segments showed peaks of production at 7.0 mg l-1 (nodal), 6.15 mg l-1 (internodal) and 5.08 mg l-1 (leaf) of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. For callus induction the intake of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid was essential. The greater intensity in callus formation was observed in 4.91 mg l-1 in leaf segments after 30 days.

Phytochemical Profile and Qualification of Biological Activity of an Isolated Fraction of Bellis perennis

This study describes the isolation and identification of apigenin-7-O-ghicopyranoside, a flavonoid isolated from the flowers of Bellis perennis L., Asteraceae, an species with a broad spectrum of biological activities. The in vitro antioxidant activity and the inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase were evaluated. The flavonoid showed strong in vitro antioxidant potential, because of the capacity of removal of hydroxyl radicals and nitric oxide, and also prevented the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. These parameters were inhibited at the highest concentration of ApG at rates of 77.7%, 72% and 73.4%, respectively, in addition to inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, suggesting potential use in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Review of the genus Ipomoea: traditional uses, chemistry and biological activities

Approximately 600-700 species of Ipomoea, Convolvulaceae, are found throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Several of those species have been used as ornamental plants, food, medicines or in religious ritual. The present work reviews the traditional uses, chemistry and biological activities of Ipomoea species and illustrates the potential of the genus as a source of therapeutic agents. These species are used in different parts of the world for the treatment of several diseases, such as, diabetes, hypertension, dysentery, constipation, fatigue, arthritis, rheumatism, hydrocephaly, meningitis, kidney ailments and inflammations. Some of these species showed antimicrobial, analgesic, spasmolitic, spasmogenic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, psychotomimetic and anticancer activities. Alkaloids, phenolics compounds and glycolipids are the most common biologically active constituents from these plant extracts.

Immunomodulatory and antibacterial activities of extracts from Rutaceae species / Atividade imunomoduladora e antibacteriana de extratos de espécies da família Rutaceae

Rutaceae is a taxon with species very well distributed in Brazilian semi-arid area, commonly used in folk medicine. Species from this genus have diverse biological activity described in literature. In this work, immunomodulatory and bactericidal activity are described for chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of three of them (Esenbeckia grandiflora Mart., Pilocarpus spicatus A.St.-Hil. and Galipea simplicifolia Schult.). Initially all the samples had their cytotoxicity evaluated, aiming to determine the LC50. The immunomodulatory potential was evaluated in cultures of murine splenocytes stimulated or not with concanavalin A and in a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) using splenocytes from BALB/c (H-2d) mice immunized with splenocytes from C57Bl/6 (H-2b) mice. Four samples had higher values of lymphoproliferation inhibition in concanavalin A-stimulated cultures and were evaluated in MLR. The antibacterial activity of extracts was also evaluated and the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for two active samples were 1.0 and 5.0 mg/ml for extracts from Esenbeckia grandiflora Mart. and Galipea simplicifolia Schult., respectively. Thus, our results reinforce data of literature relating biological activity for many species of the Rutaceae family and encourage studies with these species aiming to discover active compounds, candidates to new medicines.

A família Rutaceae apresenta espécies vegetais muito bem distribuídas no Semi-Árido Brasileiro e comumente usadas em medicina popular. Espécies dessa família tem diversas atividades biológicas descritas na literatura. Neste trabalho, atividades imunomoduladora e bactericida são descritas para o extrato acetato de etila e clorofórmico de três espécies da família (Esenbeckia grandiflora Mart., Pilocarpus spicatus A.St.-Hil. e Galipea simplicifolia Schult.). Todas as amostras foram inicialmente avaliadas quanto à sua citotoxicidade, com objetivo de determinar a LC50. O potencial imunomodulador foi avaliado em culturas de esplenócitos murinos estimulados ou não com concanavalina A e também em reação mista linfocitária (RML), usando também esplenócitos de camundongos BALB/c (H-2d) imunizados com esplenócitos de camundongos C57Bl/6 (H-2b). Quatro amostras tiveram os mais elevados valores percentuais de inibição da proliferação de linfócitos ativados pela concanavalina A e foram avaliados em RML. A atividade antibacteriana dos extratos foi também avaliada e a concentração mínima inibitória (CMI) para duas amostras ativas foi de 1.0 e 5.0 mg/mL, respectivamente para as espécies Esenbeckia grandiflora Mart. and Galipea simplicifolia Schult. Assim, os dados aqui apresentados reforçam informações da literatura científica relacionados à atividade biológica para muitas espécies da família Rutaceae e incentivam outros estudos com estas visando descobrir substâncias ativas, potenciais candidatas a novos fármacos.

Immunomodulatory activity of extracts from Cordia superba Cham. and Cordia rufescens A. DC. (Boraginaceae), plant species native from Brazilian Semi-arid / Atividade imunomoduladora de extratos de Cordia superba Cham. and Cordia rufescens A. DC. (Boraginaceae), espécies de plantas nativas do semi-árido brasileiro

The family Boraginaceae is widely distributed in Brazil and in the Northeastern region some species are popularly used to treat symptoms of rheumatism, painful menstruation and dyspepsia. In this work we studied Cordia superba Cham. and C. rufescens A. DC., native from Brazilian Semi-arid region, in order to investigate their immunomodulatory activity. Six extracts were prepared from aerial parts of C. superba and C. rufescens. The cytotoxicity was evaluated using splenocytes from BALB/c mice. The immunomodulatory activity was determined by in vitro assays using activated mouse macrophages and lymphocytes. Peritoneal macrophages obtained from BALB/c mice were stimulated with IFN-gamma and LPS in the presence/absence of the samples. The NO production was measured indirectly through Griess method. Three samples inhibited the production of nitric oxide in values near 50 percent at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. To evaluate the effects of the extracts on lymphocytes, splenocytes from BALB/c mice were incubated with the samples and concanavalin A. Proliferation inhibition was determined by analysis of ³H-thymidine uptake. Samples from the two species had a strong inhibitory activity on lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 production. Two chloroform extracts prepared from aerial parts of C. rufescens had the lowest IC50 values (7.6 and 11.0 µg/mL).

A família Boraginaceae é amplamente distribuída no Brasil e na região nordeste algumas espécies são usadas popularmente no tratamento de reumatismo, dores menstruais e dispepsias. Neste trabalho foram estudadas as espécies Cordia superba Cham. and C. rufescens A. DC., nativas da região semi-árida brasileira, objetivando investigar a atividade imunomoduladora. Seis extratos foram preparados a partir de partes aéreas das espécies. A citotoxicidade foi avaliada usando culturas de esplenócitos de camundongos BALB/c. A atividade imunomoduladora foi determinada por ensaios in vitro usando macrófagos e linfócitos murinos ativados. Macrófagos peritoneais obtidos de camundongos BALB/c foram estimulados com IFN-gama and LPS na presença/ausência das amostras. A produção de NO foi medida indiretamente através do método de Griess. Três amostras inibiram a produção de NO em valores próximos a 50 por cento (100 µg/mL). Os efeitos das amostras sobre os linfócitos foram avaliados cultivando esplenócitos de camundongos BALB/c em presença destas amostras e de concanavalina A. A proliferação foi determinada pela análise da incorporação de ³H-tritiada. Amostras de duas espécies apresentaram uma forte atividade inibidora sobre a proliferação de linfócitos e sobre a produção de IL-2. Dois extratos clorofórmicos (partes aéreas de C. rufescens) tiveram os menores valores de IC50 (7,6 and 11,0 µg/mL).

Estudo fitoquímico de Davilla rugosa: flavonóides e terpenóides / Phytochemical study of Davilla rugosa: flavonoids and terpenoids

Este trabalho descreve o isolamento e caracterização de alguns metabólitos presentes nos caules de Davilla rugosa (Dilleniaceae), conhecida vulgarmente como cipó-caboclo e utilizada pela população na medicina tradicional brasileira para diversas enfermidades. O extrato hidrometanólico foi particionado entre hexano, clorofórmio e acetato de etila. Da fase hexânica foram obtidos a friedelina, sitostenona e ácido betulínico. Da fase clorofórmica foram isolados através de técnicas cromatográficas o ácido betulínico e a narigenina. Enquanto que do extrato acetato de etila foram obtidos dois outros flavonóides, quercetina e 4’-O-metil taxifolina. As substâncias tiveram suas estruturas elucidadas através da análise de dados no UV e de RMN.

This work describes the first chemical study of the Brazilian medicinal plant Davilla rugosa (Dilleniaceae) popularly known as “cipó-caboclo”. The hydromethanolic extract of the stems was partitioned between hexane, CHCl3 and EtOAc. Chromagraphic methods of fractions resulted in isolation of friedelin, sitostenone, betulinic acid, narigenin, quercetin and 4’-O-methyl taxifolin. The compounds were identified by spectrometric data analyses.

Atividade antioxidante da epicatequina-(2β→7,4β→8)-epicatequina isolada de Dioclea lasiophylla

This work describes the evaluation of the antioxidant activity in the system b-carotene / linoleic acid and radical scavenging effects of the substances epicatechin-(2β→7,4β→8)-epicatechin, epicatechin, epigalocatechin-(2β→7,4β→8)-epicatechin, luteolin 3-β-Dglicopiranoside and crisoeriol 7-β-D-glicopiranoside isolated of the extract AcOEt of the stem of Dioclea lasiophylla, in comparison with the standards n-propyl gallate, BHT and a-tocopherol.