ABSTRACT
Studies related to floral biology are essential for the understanding of the ecological relations between different species, and the beginning of breeding programs. In this way, the aim of the study was to elucidate aspects of floral and reproductive biology and floral visitors of this species. Information about floral morphology and morphometry, anthesis, nectaries and pollinator attractive structures, characterization of floral visitors, receptivity of androcytic stigma and maturation, in vitro pollen storage and germination, and characterization of the reproductive system were obtained. The guabiju tree has hermaphrodite flowers, and the floral opening occurs mainly during the night, but also in the morning. Anthers are the main attractive structure to the pollinating insects, releasing fetid odor, attracting mainly flies and wasps characterized as occasional pollinators, and moths characterized as effective pollinators. For the germination of pollen, it is recommend using it without desiccation, collected in post-anthesis, and for the culture medium the use of 11% of sucrose and 7% of boric acid. Pollen presents recalcitrant behavior, so even when stored in refrigerator, freezer, liquid nitrogen and natural environment lose viability in less than 30 days. It presents high reproductive efficiency, and can be considered self-compatible; however, fertilization also occurs by cross-pollination.
Subject(s)
Myrtales/growth & development , Myrtales/chemistry , Pollination/genetics , Reproductive TechniquesABSTRACT
The present study was the first to examine the protective effect and antioxidant potential of two fruits native to the south of Brazil, namely guabiju (Myrcianthes pungens (O. Berg) D. Legrand) and red guava (Psidium cattleyanum Sabine), with respect to reducing the effects of cisplatin-induced hypercholesterolemia in male Wistar rats. The cisplatin-treated animals showed high glucose, LDL cholesterol, oxidized LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels. These native fruits reversed the increase in these parameters. The fat levels in the liver improved with supplementation with the fruits, and there were no differences in the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), creatinine, urea or HDL cholesterol levels, nor in the weight of the organs analyzed, indicating that the dose used did not affect these markers.
O presente estudo foi o primeiro realizado para avaliar o efeito protetor e o potencial antioxidante de duas frutas nativas do sul do Brasil, conhecidas como Guabiju (Myrcianthes pungens (O. Berg) D. Legrand) e araçá vermelho (Psidium cattleyanum Sabine), em relação a reduzir os efeitos da hipercolesterolemia induzida pela cisplatina em ratos Wistar machos. Os animais tratados com a cisplatina apresentaram elevada taxa de glicose, altos níveis de colesterol LDL, colesterol LDL oxidado e colesterol total. Os frutos nativos atuaram protegendo os animais pela redução destes parâmetros. Os níveis de gordura no fígado melhoraram com a suplementação pelos frutos e não houve diferenças nas substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) e níveis de creatina, uréia e colesterol HDL e, também, no peso dos órgãos analisados, indicando que a dose utilizada não foi capaz de afetar tais marcadores.
Subject(s)
Rats , Rats, Wistar/classification , Myrtaceae/classification , Psidium/classification , Hypercholesterolemia/immunology , Fruit/classificationABSTRACT
Os inibidores da enzima acetilcolinesterase (AChE) são uma das principais classes de medicamentos utilizadas no tratamento de sintomas de doenças neurodegenerativas como a doença de Alzheimer (DA), pois são capazes de elevar os níveis de acetilcolina no cérebro. Plantas têm sido uma excelente alternativa na busca de novas moléculas bioativas. No presente trabalho, extratos alcoólicos dos frutos de Myrcianthes pungens (O.Berg) D.Legrand (Myrtaceae), também conhecidos como guabijú ou guabiroba-açú, foram investigados quanto à capacidade de inibição de AChE in vitro por ensaio bioautográfico, utilizando o reagente Fast Blue Salt B. Foi observada a presença de pelo menos quatro diferentes substâncias com capacidade inibitória de AChE nos frutos verdes e maduros desta espécie. Duas das substâncias ativas foram caracterizadas como terpenos por meio de ensaios com reagentes específicos em cromatografia de camada delgada. Estes resultados correspondem ao primeiro relato da atividade de inibição de AChE em espécies do gênero Myrcianthes (Myrtaceae).
Inhibitors of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) are one of the major classes of drugs used in the treatment of symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer?s disease (AD), because they can increase the levels of acetylcholine in the brain. Plants have been an excellent alternative source of bioactive molecules. In the present study, alcoholic extracts of fruits of Myrcianthes pungens (O.Berg) D.Legrand (Myrtaceae), also known as ?guabijú? or ?guabiroba-açú?, were investigated for their ability to inhibit AChE in vitro in a bioautographic assay using Fast Blue Salt B reagent. The presence of at least four different substances capable of inhibiting AChE in unripe and ripe fruits of this species was observed. Two active substances were characterized as terpenes in assays using specific reagents with thin layer chromatography. These results are the first report of the AchE inhibition activity for species of Myrcianthes genus (Myrtaceae).