A Study on Acid-Base Indicator Property of Flowers of Gomphrena globosa

Indicators are used to determine the equivalence point in acid � base titrations (neutralization titrations). They exhibit sharp color change with respect to change in pH. Popularly used indicators for neutralization titrations are synthetic chemicals. They are found to have hazardous effects in human body. The highly colored pigments obtained from plants are found to exhibit color changes with variation in pH. A study was done to check the indicator action of aqueous extract of flower pigments and compared with that of already existing synthetic indicators. Extraction was done using hot water and a definite volume of extract was added which gave accurate and reliable results for different types of neutralization titrations - strong base against strong acid, strong acid against a weak base, weak base against strong acid and weak acid against weak base. The work proved to be acceptable in introducing flower pigments as a suitable substitute to the synthetic indicators.

Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Gomphrena celosioides Linn.

Aims: This study was therefore aimed to evaluate potential anti-inflammatory activity of Aqueous and Ethanolic extracts of Gomphrena celosioides (C. Mart) and to determine the most active extract in rat. Study Design: Gomphrena celosioides was collected from Bingerville, District of Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire). The plant was identified and authenticated by the “Centre National de Floristique”, University Felix Houphouet Boigny, Cocody. Place and Duration of Study: Analysis on the plant samples were done at the ‘’Laboratoire de Pharmacodynamie-Biochimique, UFR Biosciences, Université de Cocody-Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), and Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire, Département de Biochimie médicale & fondamentale’’ between September 2013 and June 2014. Methodology: The anti-inflammatory activities were investigated by utilizing carrageenan induced paw edema and CRP concentration in rat. These extracts were administrated intraperitoneally at differents doses (100 and 200mg/kg body weight) to rats. Result: The present study showed a significant anti-inflammatory activity at 200mg/kg. b.w. to both extracts which were comparable to the Diclofenac (10mg/kg) inhibition. However, the inflammation inhibition is raised more than 2.6% with the ethanolic extract when this comparison is made with the aqueous extract. This study showed an increased CRP concentration (p <0.05) at rats treated with carrageenan with regard to extracts and Diclofenac rats groups. But there is no significant difference between CRP concentration with extracts and diclofenac rats groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Gomphrena celosioides have a potential anti-inflammatory properties. However, this anti-inflammatory activity is more raised with ethanolic extract and seems to have the most active extract. So, ethanolic and aqueous extracts can be utilized for therapeutic purposes.

Atividade alelopática de extratos aquosos de plantas medicinais na germinação de Lactuca sativa L. e Bidens pilosa L. / Allelopathic activity of aqueous extracts of medicinal plants on the germination of Lactuca sativa L. and Bidens pilosa L.

O potencial alelopático de quatro diferentes extratos de plantas medicinais (Eclipta alba, Gomphrena globosa, Tabernaemontana catharinensis e Tithonia diversifolia) foi avaliado na germinação de Bidens pilosa e Lactuca sativa. Dentre os resultados obtidos no teste de germinação, notou-se um maior poder inibitório do extrato de G. globosa sobre sementes e plântulas de Bidens pilosa e Lactuca sativa independente da concentração utilizada e aumento da atividade inibitória de extratos T. catharinensis e de T. diversifolia com aumento da concentração destes. Quanto ao Índice de Velocidade de Germinação, os dados demonstraram redução do índice devido a elevada mortalidade das plântulas submetidas aos extratos de G. globosa e de T. catharinensis e a germinação tardia das sementes submetidas ao extrato de T. diversifolia. Quanto ao vigor das sementes, as menores porcentagens de sobrevivência ocorreram extratos à 2,5 por cento para B. pilosa e 10 por cento para L. sativa.

The allelopathic potential of four different extracts of medicinal plants (Eclipta alba, Gomphrena globosa, Tabernaemontana catharinensis and Tithonia diversifolia) was evaluated on the germination of Bidens pilosa and Lactuca sativa. The results obtained in the germination test indicated a greater inhibitory activity of G. globosa extract on Bidens pilosa and Lactuca sativa seeds and seedlings, regardlessof the used concentration, and an increase in the inhibitory activity of T. catharinensis and T. diversifolia extracts with an increase in their concentrations. As to Germination Speed Index, the data demonstrated a reduction due to the high mortality of seedlings subjected to G. globosa and T. catharinensis extracts and a late germination of seeds subjected to T. diversifolia extracts. As to the vigor of seeds, the smallest survival percentages occur at 2.5 percent for B. pilosa and at 10 percent for L.sativa.

Anatomia foliar, morfologia e aspectos ecológicos das espécies da família Amaranthaceae da Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Cara Preta, em Alto Paraíso, GO, Brasil / Leaf anatomy, morphology and ecological aspects of Amaranthaceae species from Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Cara Preta, in Alto Paraíso, GO, Brazil

A família Amaranthaceae é formada por cerca de 2.360 espécies, 145 delas encontradas no Brasil. Cerca de 94 espécies da família subsistem em diversas fitofisionomias do Bioma Cerrado e 27 espécies aparecem em listas regionais de espécies ameaçadas de extinção. O objetivo deste trabalho foi inventariar e estudar a anatomia foliar e a morfologia de espécies da família Amaranthaceae de uma Unidade de Conservação de Alto Paraíso, GO, relacionando-as ao metabolismo fotossintético. Foram localizadas uma espécie de hábito subarbustivo (Pfaffia townsendii) e cinco espécies herbáceas (Froelichiella grisea, Gomphrena hermogenesii, G. lanigera, G. prostrata e P. gnaphalioides), a maioria demonstrando comportamento pirofítico e anemocoria, bem como sistemas subterrâneos bem desenvolvidos associados com anfiestomia foliar. A anatomia Kranz foi caracterizada em três espécies (todas do gênero Gomphrena), indicando o metabolismo fotossintético C4. Duas espécies são endêmicas da área e duas espécies são consideradas ameaçadas de extinção. Aspectos de anatomia e morfologia são discutidos em relação ao hábito das espécies, comportamento ecológico, duração das porções aéreas e significado funcional. Os dados demonstram a importância da família como indicadora da biodiversidade das áreas abertas dos cerrados e da importância da ampliação das pesquisas na Chapada dos Veadeiros, que tem potencial para o registro de novas espécies, inclusive endêmicas, dado o comportamento sazonal de algumas dicotiledôneas herbáceas e as dificuldades para localizá-las, identificá-las e coletá-las.

The Amaranthaceae family is composed of 2,360 species of which 145 are found in Brazilian vegetation. About 94 species of this family subsist in different phytofisionomies of the Cerrado Biome (a savanna-like vegetation) and 27 species are cited in Brazilian regional lists of endangered species. This work aimed to inventory and to study the leaf anatomy and morphology of the Amaranthaceae species found in one Conservation Area in Alto Paraíso, GO, relating them to the species' photosynthetic metabolism. It was found one subshrub species (Pfaffia townsendii) and five herbaceous species (Froelichiella grisea, Gomphrena hermogenesii, G. lanigera, G. prostrata and P. gnaphalioides), most of them showing pirophytic and anemocoric behavior and well developed subterraneous systems associated with leaf amphistomy. The Kranz anatomy was verified in three species (all Gomphrena genus), which indicates the C4 pathway of photosynthesis. Two species are endemic of the area (Chapada dos Veadeiros) and two are considered endangered species. The anatomy and morphology aspects are discussed in relation to the species habit, ecological behavior, life span of the aerial organs and functional data. The results indicate the Amaranthaceae importance as biodiversity indicator of open vegetation areas of Cerrado and the necessity of further research in Chapada dos Veadeiros, which has the potential to register new plant species, including endemic ones, since this work displays the seasonal behavior of some dicotyledonean herbaceous species and the difficulties to locate, identify and collect them.