ABSTRACT
Abstract:The seed dispersal process is a crucial stage in plant regeneration and maintenance of forest biological diversity. While the number of removed seeds is quantitative, the distance to which a seed is removed from its origin is qualitative, because it affects the probability that a seed will germinate and recruit to the next life stage. However, the creation of forest margins can negatively affect the seed dispersal process, especially for largediaspore plant species. In this study, the diaspore removal and dispersal distance of Caryocar coriaceum, a tree with large diaspores that is in danger of extinction, were analyzed. The study was conducted for two consecutive years in a protected forest in Northeastern Brazil. Each year, 1 200 diaspores with a nylon wire and a satin tape yellow were used and equally distributed in 120 experimental stations established on the forest margin and in the interior. During the first year of the study, no differences in diaspore removal and dispersal distance were found among the investigated environments. However, for the second year of the study, the number of removed diaspores differed significantly; nevertheless, the dispersal distance was not different between the forest margin and the interior. The low diaspore removal percentages suggest that species recruitment may be compromised because the diaspore accumulation close to the relatives enables higher fungi and insect attack. In addition, most of the few removed diaspores were found at short distances from their sources (up to 5 m), which can lead to low genetic variability. Virtually no diaspore was found buried by hoarding rodents, and no diaspore was found preyed upon by these animals. Evidence found in this study suggests the local loss of species dispersers, which can compromise the maintenance of forest biological diversity. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (3): 1117-1127. Epub 2016 September 01.
ResumenEl proceso de dispersión de semillas es una etapa crucial en la regeneración de las plantas y el mantenimiento de la diversidad biológica de los bosques. Mientras que el número de semillas removidas es cuantitativo, la distancia a la que se elimina una semilla desde su origen es cualitativa, porque afecta la probabilidad de que una semilla germine y sea reclutada para la próxima etapa del ciclo de vida. Sin embargo, la creación de márgenes de los bosques puede afectar negativamente el proceso de dispersión, especialmente para especies de plantas con diásporas grandes. En este estudio, analizamos la remoción diásporas y la distancia de dispersión de C. coriaceum, un árbol de diásporas grandes que está en peligro de extinción. El estudio se llevó a cabo durante dos años consecutivos en un bosque protegido en el Noreste de Brasil. Cada año, un total de 1 200 diásporas fueron igualmente distribuidas, con un hilo de nylon y una cinta amarilla de satén, en 120 estaciones experimentales establecidas en el margen y en el interior del bosque. En el primer año del estudio, no se encontraron diferencias en la remocíon de las diásporas y la distancia de dispersión entre los ambientes estudiados. Sin embargo, en el segundo año el número de diásporas retiradas difería significativamente, pero la distancia de dispersión no fue diferente entre el margen de bosques y el interior. El bajo porcentaje de remoción encontrado sugiere que el reclutamiento de especies puede estar comprometido, ya que la acumulación de diásporas próximas unas de otras es propicio para un mayor ataque de hongos e insectos. Además, la mayoría de las pocas diásporas removidas fueron encontradas a pequeñas distancias de su origen (hasta 5 m), lo que puede generar una baja variabilidad genética. Prácticamente ninguna diáspora fue encontrada enterrada por los roedores recolectores y ninguna estaba depredada por estos animales. La evidencia encontrada en este estudio indica la pérdida local de dispersores de las especies, lo que puede poner en peligro el mantenimiento de la diversidad biológica de los bosques.
Subject(s)
Ericales/physiology , Plant Dispersal/physiology , Seasons , Seeds/physiology , Time Factors , Brazil , Forests , BiodiversityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Excessive production of free radicals causes direct damage to biological molecules such as DNA, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates leading to tumor development and progression. Natural antioxidant molecules from phytochemicals of plant origin may directly inhibit either their production or limit their propagation or destroy them to protect the system. In the present study, Monodora myristica a non-timber forest product consumed in Cameroon as spice was screened for its free radical scavenging properties, antioxidant and enzymes protective activities. Its phenolic compound profile was also realized by HPLC. RESULTS: This study demonstrated that M. myristica has scavenging properties against DPPH',OH',NO', and ABTS'radicals which vary in a dose depending manner. It also showed an antioxidant potential that was comparable with that of Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) and vitamin C used as standard. The aqueous ethanol extract of M. myristica barks (AEH); showed a significantly higher content in polyphenolic compounds (21.44 ± 0.24 mg caffeic acid/g dried extract) and flavonoid (5.69 ± 0.07 quercetin equivalent mg/g of dried weight) as compared to the other studied extracts. The HPLC analysis of the barks and leaves revealed the presence of several polyphenols. The acids (3,4-OH-benzoic, caffeic, gallic, O- and P- coumaric, syringic, vanillic), alcohols (tyrosol and OH-tyrosol), theobromine, quercetin, rutin, catechine and apigenin were the identified and quantified polyphenols. All the tested extracts demonstrated a high protective potential on the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and peroxidase activities. CONCLUSION: Finally, the different extracts from M. myristica and specifically the aqueous ethanol extract reveal several properties such as higher free radical scavenging properties, significant antioxidant capacities and protective potential effects on liver enzymes.
Subject(s)
Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Free Radical Scavengers/pharmacology , Spices , Annonaceae/chemistry , Polyphenols/chemistry , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Peroxidases/drug effects , Picrates/metabolism , Sulfonic Acids/metabolism , Superoxide Dismutase/drug effects , Flavonoids/analysis , Biphenyl Compounds/metabolism , In Vitro Techniques , Cameroon , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Catalase/drug effects , Forests , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Hydroxyl Radical/metabolism , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Plant Bark/chemistry , Benzothiazoles/metabolism , Nitric Oxide/metabolismABSTRACT
Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) Landrum é a única espécie representante brasileira deste gênero de Myrtaceae. Tem sido popularmente utilizada no tratamento de diversas enfermidades, assim como condimento e aromatizante de bebidas, por seu sabor muito similar ao cravo-da-índia. Em menor escala, é empregada em carpintaria e na arborização urbana. Diversos autores analisaram a composição química do óleo essencial da espécie em diferentes regiões do Brasil, encontrando eugenol, metileugenol, (E) metilisoeugenol, chavibetol, geranial e neral como composto predominante nos espécimes estudados. Visando ressaltar a importância de P. pseudocaryophyllus como potencial fonte de recursos assim como subsidiar ações de manejo adequado esta revisão apresenta os principais aspectos botânicos, ecológicos, etnobotânicos e farmacológicos da espécie.
Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) Landrum is the only Brazilian species representative of this Myrtaceae genus. It has being traditionally used in the treatment of many diseases as well for seasoning food and flavoring beverages due to its similarity with clove flavor. In a minor scale, it is used in carpentry and as urban tree. Many authors have analyzed the chemical composition of the leaf essential oil in different regions of Brazil, founding eugenol, metileugenol, (E) metilisoeugenol, chavibetol, geranial e neral as main component in the specimens studied. Aiming to highlight the importance of P. pseudocaryophyllus as potential source of natural products and to provide some base to the adequate management actions, a review on botanical, ecological, ethnobotanical and pharmacological aspects of this species is presented.