Application of phylogenetic information of ITS2 secondary structure in DNA barcoding of Solanum medicinal plant / 中国中药杂志

Internal transcript spacer 2 (ITS2) is one of the broadly used standard core barcodes and also the only nuclear barcode in identification of Chinese traditional medicine. Although the DNA barcode method based on ITS2 is popular and has been used in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, its low discriminatory efficiency is still a problem to its extensive application. Therefore, further study is still necessary to explore its phylogenetic information for medicinal plants identification. In cells, ITS2 activity is based on its secondary structure. The secondary structures are particularly useful in phylogenetic analysis because they include information not found in the primary sequence. In this study ITS2 secondary structure of 40 samples from 26 species were predicted and used to explore their utility in addressing the identification problems of Chinese traditional medicine in Solanum. The secondary structures were predicted and aligned, and their consensus models were generated using the three different software of LocARNA, MASTR and PicXAA-R. RNAstat software was used to transform the secondary structures into 28 symbol code data for maximum parsimony (MP) analysis. The results showed that the phylogenetic information increased 88.57% after ITS2 secondary structure information has been added, and then the support values above 50%, 75% and 90% in the tree increased 19.05%, 66.67% and 66.67%, respectively, indicating that the identification of Solanum medical plants has been well resolved. Thus, our analysis suggests that ITS2 secondary structure information should be incorporated into the current DNA barcoding analysis as a beneficial supplement of phylogenetic information.

Medicinal plant new records in Chongqing / 中国中药杂志

By the fourth survey of Chinese medicinal resources, new medicinal plants records of 1 family, 2 genera and 6 species were reported in Chongqing.They are Annonaceae, Fissistigma, Monochasma, Sophora tonkinensis, Fissistigma retusum, Monochasma sheareri, Primula ranunculoids, Chirita pinnatifida and Hylotelephium sieboldii.All the voucher specimens are preserved in Herbarium of Chongqing Institute of Medicinal Plant Cultivation.

Evaluation of Mutagenic Effects of Monosodium Glutamate Using Allium cepa and Antimutagenic Action of Origanum majorana L. and Ruta chalepensis Medical Plants.

At the present study, Allium cepa root tips were collected during 2,6 and 24 hrs after treated with selected concentrations (1.0,3.0,5.0 and 7.0 g/L) of Mono-Sodium Glutamate (MSG) that used as flavour enhancer in foods. MSG induced mitodepression chromosomal aberrations such as bridges, fragments, disturbance, sticky chromosomes and other morphological abnormalities like enlargement cells. In this study we amid to determine the inhibitory effect of oil extract (1.25 μl/ml) from two medical plant species Origanium majorana L. and Ruta chalepensis on this food additive. Our results demonstrated that these extracts have the potency to suppress MSG by increasing of mitotic index and reduction of the chromosomal aberration and thus could be a promising antimutagenic and antigenotoxic potential.

Evaluation of the hepatotoxicity of Abarema cochliacarpos extracts in mice Mus musculus

Abarema cochliacarpos (Gomes) Barneby & J.W. Grimes, Fabaceae, is a native species of Brazil popularly known as "barbatimão", frequently found along the north coast of the state of Bahia. Local communities make an infusion from its stem bark, which is used to treat several diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the hepatotoxicity of A. cochliacarpos extracts in mice Mus musculus. The bark infusion and hydroalcoholic extract were administered nasogastrically into two groups of eight animals (four male and four female each). After 45 days all mice were killed and the livers were collected for further histological analysis. Hepatic steatosis, congestion of the hepatic vessels and medicinal plantspresence of macrophages and lymphocytes infiltrates in the liver, were observed in both steatosis group of animals, additionally animals that received the stem bark infusion presented an accumulation of pigments. None of the animals belonging to the negative control group showed any of the symptoms described above. In conclusion, the hydroalcoholic extract and infusion of A. cochliacarpos stem bark were proven to cause intoxication in mice. The hepatotoxicity of the infusion was more aggressive in females. Further studies are necessary to isolate compounds responsible for the toxic characteristics of A. cochliacarpos.

Efeito do óleo de copaíba intravaginal no tumor de Walker 256 inoculado na vagina e útero de ratas / The effect of copaiba oil intravaginal on walker 256 carcinoma inoculated into the vagina and uterus of female rats

Objetivo: verificar os efeitos do óleo de copaíba por via intravaginal no tumor de Walker 256inoculado na vagina e útero de ratas. Método: o tumor de Walker 256 foi inoculado na vagina eútero de 20 ratas, e estas distribuídas em dois grupos (n=10), no grupo controle (GC) os animaisforam tratados com água destilada intravaginal na dose de 0,3mL e o grupo copaíba (GCO),tratados com óleo de copaíba na dose de 0,3mL intravaginal. Analisou-se a variação de peso doanimal, peso e volume tumoral, potencial de inibição (PI), além da análise histológica da vagina,útero e reto dos animais. Resultados: a média da variação de peso no grupo controle foi 11,44±8,03g e no grupo copaíba 10,88 ±3,48g, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante(p=0,83). No grupo controle o peso médio do tumor foi de 2,4 ±1,22 g e o volume de 2,52 ±1,41mL e no grupo copaíba o peso médio de 2,31 ±0,88g e o volume médio de 2,36 ±1.13 mL. Opotencial de inibição do óleo de copaíba por via intravaginal foi de 4,74%. Não houve diferençaem relação ao estudo histológico. Conclusão: o óleo de copaíba por via intravaginal nãoapresentou efeitos sobre o tumor de Walker 256, inoculado na vagina e útero de ratas, emrelação ao peso do animal, peso e volume tumoral e características histológicas

Objective: Evaluate the effects of copaiba oil intravaginally on the Walker 256 tumorinoculated into the vagina and uterus of rats. Methods: Was inoculated Walker 256 tumor in thevagina and uterus of 20 rats, they were divided into two groups (n = 10) in control groupanimals were treated intravaginally with distilled water at a dose of 0.3 ml and the groupcopaiba, the animals was treated with copaiba oil at a dose of 0.3 ml intravaginally. Wasanalyzed the variation of body weight, and tumor?s volume and weight and potential forinhibition of the oil. Results: The mean weight change in the control group was 11.44 ± 8.03 gand group copaiba 10.88 ± 3.48 g, there was no statistical difference (p = 0.83). In the controlgroup the mean tumor weight was 2.4 ± 1.22g and the volume of 2.52 ± 1.41 mL in groupcopaiba the average weight was 2.31 ± 0.88g and the mean volume was 2.36 ± 1.13 mL. Thepotential inhibition of copaiba oil intravaginally was 4.74%. Conclusion: The copaiba oilintravaginally had no effect on the Walker 256 tumor inoculated into the vagina and uterus ofrats, relative to the weight of the animal and the tumor volume and weight, and histologycalcaracteristy.

Plantas medicinais comercializadas por raizeiros no Centro de Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul / Medicinal plants from herb sellers operating in downtown Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Foi realizado um levantamento das plantas medicinais mais solicitadas a raizeiros do centro da cidade de Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, ou por eles indicadas. Esse levantamento foi efetuado em duas épocas distintas: 1992 e 2002. A compilação dos dados revelou que 27 espécies foram citadas em 1992 e 32 em 2002. As seis espécies mais freqüentemente consumidas (Maytenus cf. macrodonta, "cancorosa"; Baccharis trimera, "carqueja"; Achyrocline alata, "jateí-kaá"; Stryphnodendron adstringens, "barbatimão"; Cochlospermum regium, "algodãozinho", e Echinodorus macrophyllus, "chapéu-de-couro") foram adquiridas para identificação e avaliação preliminar da sua qualidade. Nas duas épocas, a qualidade das plantas medicinais apresentava itens que reprovavam seu consumo. Em ambos os levantamentos, observou-se uma constância das espécies mais utilizadas e uma coerência satisfatória com os dados disponíveis sobre os hábitos da automedicação da população do município. Os motivos e sintomas mais freqüentes para a aquisição de plantas medicinais foram os relacionados ao uso analgésico, sistemas genitourinário, respiratório e osteomuscular, dispepsia/má digestão e tecido conjuntivo.

A survey of the medicinal plants requested from and/or indicated by herb sellers operating in the central area of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, was performed at two different times - 1992 and 2002. The first survey revealed 27 species being used; the second one, 32 species. The species most often consumed (Maytenus cf. macrodonta, ‘cancorosa’; Baccharis trimera, ‘carqueja’; Achyrocline alata, ‘jateí-kaá’; Stryphnodendron adstringens, ‘barbatimão’; Cochlospermum regium, ‘algodãozinho’, and Echinodorus macrophyllus, ‘chapéu-de-couro’) were acquired for identification and evaluation of their quality. On both occasions, the quality of the samples was negatively affected by features that made them inappropriate for human consumption. The results of both surveys agreed as to the species most used. Also, a satisfactory degree of coherence was found regarding the data available on the self-medication behavior of the population of Campo Grande. These medicinal plants were more often sought for analgesic use and for symptoms related to the genitourinary, respiratory and skeletomuscular systems, connective tissue and dyspepsia/maldigestion.

Níveis séricos de aminotransferases, bilirrubinas e gama-glutamil transpeptidase após a admininstração de óleo de copaíba em ratos

Copaiba oil is a oil-resin used as a phytotherapic in Amazon region in a folkloric way. This use is empirical and little is known about its effect in the organic systems. Objective: To determine serum levels of aminotransferases, bilirrubins and gama-glutamyl transpeptidase after copaiba oil administration. Methods: Male Wistar rats (n=20) divided in two groups of 10 animals: Group Cop which received a daily oral administration of copaiba oil, 0.63ml/kg, during 5 days; Group P in which any substance was administrated. In the sixth day the animals of both groups were submitted to inalatory anesthesia, laparotomy and collection of blood samples (3ml) from inferior vena cava for the determination of serum aminotransferases, bilirrubins and gama-glutamyl transpeptidase levels. Results: The results were compared between groups and analyzed by t-Student test. Group Cop showed AST, ALT and GGT levels significantly decreased when compared with Gruop P (p 0.01), while total bilirrubins levels increased by its direct fraction. Conclusion: Copaiba oil can alter serum levels of aminotransferases, bilirrubins and gama-glutamyl transpeptidase, showing a possible interaction between this substance and liver, but this considerations require posterior evalutaion.

O óleo de copaíba é um óleo-resina empregado como fitoterápico na região Amazônica. Sua utilização se faz de forma empírica e pouco se conhece à respeito de seus efeitos sobre os sistemas orgânicos. Objetivo: Verificar os níveis séricos de aminotransferases, bilirrubinas e gama-glutamil transpeptidase após a administração do óleo. Métodos: Foram utilizados 20 ratos Wistar, machos, pesando entre 250 e 300g, distribuídos em 2 grupos: Grupo Cop (n=10) submetidos diariamente à gavagem com administração de 0,63ml/kg do óleo, por 5 dias; Grupo P (n=10), animais nos quais nenhuma substância foi administrada. Ao sexto dia, em ambos os grupos, procedeu-se anestesia inalatória e obtenção de 3ml de sangue da VCI para dosagem dos níveis séricos de ALT, AST, bilirrubinas e GGT. Resultados: Os resultados obtidos com o GCop foram comparados com os do GP e analisados estatisticamente pelo teste t -Student. O GCop apresentou níveis de ALT, AST e GGT significantemente mais baixos que o GP (p 0,01), enquanto os níveis de BT elevaram-se às custas da fração direta. Conclusão: O óleo de copaíba altera os níveis das aminotransferases, bilirrubinas e GGT, sem alterar os níveis da fração indireta.