Preclinical studies of hydroalcoholic extract of Calea uniflora Less / Estudios preclínicos de extracto hidroalcohólico de Calea uniflora Less

Calea uniflora Less known popularly as Arnica in Brazil, is a native plant from Brazil, popular used by coastal populations from south of Santa Catarina. The purpose of this study was to verify the safety profile in of hydroalcoholic extract of C. uniflora in florescences.The hydroalcoholic extract of C. uniflora in florescences was evaluated for its acute and sub-acute toxicity. Acute topical toxicity was performed using the methodology of guideline 402 from OECD. Acute oral toxicity was performed using the methodology of guideline 423 from OECD and sub-acute toxicity was performed using the methodology adapted of guideline 407 from OECD. The single dose for oral or topical administration of C. uniflora showed DL50> 5000 mg/kg b.w. The sub-acute treatment induced animal death in groups, which was administered extract in the doses 100, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg. The main signs of toxicity observed were respiratory difficulty, increase in lung weigh, lung damage and muscular relation. The topical or oral administration of C. uniflora extract in short period did not caused toxicological effects in animals, however, when administered for a longer period and in concentrations of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg (oral.) caused lung damage and even the death of the animal.

Calea uniflora Less conocida popularmente como Arnica en Brasil, es una planta nativa de Brasil, popularmente utilizada por poblaciones costeras del sur de Santa Catarina. El objetivo de este estudio fue verificar el perfil de seguridad del extracto hidroalcoólico de inflorescencias de C. uniflora. El extracto hidroalcoólico de inflorescencias de C. uniflora fue evaluado en cuanto a su toxicidad aguda y subaguda. La toxicidad tópica aguda se realizó utilizando la metodología de la directriz 402 de la OECD. La toxicidad oral aguda fue realizada usando la metodología de la directriz 423 de la OECD y la toxicidad subaguda fue realizada usando la metodología adaptada de la directriz 407 de la OECD. La dosis única para administración oral o tópica de C. uniflora mostro DL50> 5000 mg/kg. El tratamiento subagudo indujo la muerte de animales en grupos a los que se administró extracto en las dosis de 100, 250, 500 y 1000 mg/kg. Los principales signos de toxicidad observados fueron dificultad respiratoria, aumento del peso del pulmón, daño pulmonar y relación muscular. La administración tópica oral del extracto de C. uniflora a corto plazo no causó efectos toxicológicos en los animales, mientras que, cuando se administró por un período mayor y en las concentraciones de 250, 500 y 1000 mg/kg (oral) causaron danos en los pulmones y hasta la muerte del animal.

Effect of Intestinal Flora in Rats on Metabolism and Transformation of Effective Components in Polygonum orientale Inflorescences / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the metabolic characteristics of effective components from Polygonum orientale inflorescences in intestinal flora of rats. Method:The incubating samples of effective components from P. orientale inflorescences in rat intestinal flora in vitro were detected by UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS, the mobile phase was consisted of 0.1%formic acid solution-0.1%formic acid acetonitrile solution and eluted in gradient mode at a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min-1.The mass spectral analysis was detected with electrospray ionization under positive ion mode and negative ion mode.The metabolites and possible biotransformation pathways of effective components form P. orientale inflorescences in rat intestinal flora in vitro was analyzed by Metabolite ToolsTM, mass defect filtration(MDF) and other metabolite analysis techniques and combined with the accurate relative molecular weight of the compounds, the fragment ion information and the literature data. Result:Eighteen metabolites were detected after incubation of effective components from P. orientale inflorescences in rat intestinal flora.The main biotransformation pathways were reduction, oxidation, hydrolysis in Ⅰ phase reaction and methylation in Ⅱ phase reaction. Conclusion:The effective components of P. orientale inflorescences can be transformed into a variety of metabolites under the action of intestinal flora in rats.It is suggested that whether the metabolites are bioactive components should be considered when P. orientale inflorescences is used as medicine.

Glucide Factors of the Inflorescence Sap of Four Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) Cultivars from Côte D’ivoire.

To assess physicochemical characters related to the glucide contents of the sap provided by four coconut cultivars. Study Design: Thirty-six coconut saps from thirty-six healthy coconut trees inflorescences, replicated two times. Trees were randomly selected; cultivars were the most widespread coconut types in Côte d’Ivoire. The whole coconut saps consists of three batches of three samples per cultivar. Place and Duration of the Study: Station Marc Delorme for the coconut Research at Port Bouet, National Centre of Agronomic Research (CNRA) of Côte d’Ivoire during 2012 and 2013. Methodology: Inflorescences saps from four coconut cultivars namely Malayan Yellow Dwarf, West African Tall, and PB 121+ and PB 113+ hybrids were investigated according to their carbohydrate content. Nine coconut trees were randomly selected per cultivar on experimental fields and their unopened inflorescences (spathes) of rank 8 have undergone the production of sap. The sap was harvested twice a day and samples from both harvestings were stored at -20ºC. Even quantities of the daily samples were mixed and a slight volume was taken from this mixture for analysis. Five traits (pH, contents of total soluble solids, dry matter, total soluble sugars and reducing sugars) related to glucidic richness of the coconut sap were assessed. Then the main carbohydrates components (sucrose, glucose, fructose, mannose and glycerol) were elucidated using a high performance ionic chromatography and led to the evaluation of the sweet index. Results: The effect of coconut cultivars on the pH and contents of total soluble solids, dry matter, total soluble sugars, sucrose, mannose, glycerol and sweet index was significant at P = .05. The sap of MYD recorded highest means of pH (7.32). This type of sap contained also highest contents of total soluble solids (16.31%), dry matter (16.47g/100ml), total soluble sugars (16.08g/100ml), mannose (0.019g/100ml) and glycerol (0.094g/100) contents and provided the greatest sweet index (16.00). Sucrose was the main carbohydrate of coconut sap. The MYD obtained higher sucrose content (12.24g/100ml) than the WAT (9.40g/100ml). Hundred (100ml) of saps from PB 121+ and PB 113+ provided respectively 10.31g and 10.38g of sucrose, which intermediate both means above. The contents of reducing sugars, glucose and fructose were respectively between 2.41 and 3.73g/100ml; 1.63 and 1.84g/100ml and from 1.24 to 1.52g/100ml, but didn’t differentiate saps originating with MYD, WAT, PB 121+ and PB 113+ cultivars. Reducing sugars were significantly composed of glucose (r = 0.83) and fructose (r = 0.91). Conclusion: The richness in glucides of coconut inflorescence sap is related to the contents of total soluble solids, dry matter and the whole carbohydrates. Thanks to their higher sucrose, glucose and fructose contents, the saps of the MYD, PB121+ and PB113+ cultivars could be suitable for the production of syrup, sugar and alcohol in order to improve benefits derived from the coconut.

Anatomía microscópica y metabolitos secundarios volátiles en tres estadios del desarrollo de las inflorescencias de Lantana camara (Verbenaceae)

Microscopic anatomy and volatile secondary metabolites at three stages of development of the inflorescences of Lantana camara (Verbenaceae). Plants of the Verbenaceae family, like L. camara, have called the attention of researchers, not only because of its high diversity and its distribution around the world, but also for its variable use as popular medicine to treat diseases like tetanus, rheumatism and malaria, and as bactericide and insecticide. To assess this, the morphology and ontogeny of the inflorescences of Lantana camara and the chemical composition of volatile secondary metabolites were analyzed at three different ontogeny stages. Plants were collected from the experimental crop area in CENIVAM, Bucaramanga, Colombia. Fresh inflorescence stages were established and analyzed using a stereoscopic microscope, fixed in FAA and included in parafine. Transversal and longitudinal 10μm thick sections were prepared using a rotative microtome, safranine-fastgreen stained and were observed and photographed using a light microscope. The chemical composition of volatile secondary metabolites were analyzed for each stage. The analytes, obtained from 0.7g of plant, were isolated by solid phase micro-extraction in the headspace mode (HS-SPME) and were placed in 20ml vials. The components were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Stage I was microscopically characterized by an immature development in which the meristematic differentiation begins with a mass of cells. In Stage II, the morphogenetic movement gives way to the formation of the respective floral sexual structures, calyx and corolla. In Stage III, the different organs are conspicuous: four stamens epipetals and didynamous, monocarpelar, biloculate and globose gynoecium, upper ovary and lateral stigma; the flowers are hermaphroditic. The main secondary metabolites detected by GC-MS were bicyclosesquiphellandrene, E-β-farnesene, E-β-caryophyllene, Υ-muurolene + Υ- curcumene and α-zingiberene. Nevertheless, this study reports for the first time in plant species α-gurjunene, Υ-amorphene, α-muurolene, sesquithujene, α-trans-bergamotene and transcadina-1,4-diene. The diversity of compounds found can be only explained by the extraction methods employed, the developmental stages and section of the plant, the geographic conditions, collection time and the genetic constitution of the evaluated species. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (1): 473-486. Epub 2011 March 01.

Las plantas de la familia Verbenaceae, entre ellas la especie Lantana camara L., poseen una alta diversidad botánica además de su variable uso. Se describe el avance morfoanatómico de tres etapas de desarrollo de las inflorescencias de L. camara L. (Verbenaceae), recolectadas en Bucaramanga, Colombia. Para esto se tincionaron las estructuras vegetales mediante la técnica fast-green, previo a los análisis con microscopía óptica convencional. El aislamiento de los analitos de cada estadio se realizó mediante la técnica de microextracción en fase sólida en el modo headspace (HS-SPME) y su posterior análisis de componentes, mediante cromatografía de gases acoplada a espectrometría de masas (GC-MS). En el Estadio I se apreció un grupo de células en donde se inicia la diferenciación meristemática. En el Estadio II, los movimientos morfogenéticos dan paso a la formación de las respectivas estructuras sexuales florales, el cáliz y la corola. Al llegar al Estadio III, se observaron claramente los diferentes órganos. Los metabolitos detectados en este estudio y que no fueron encontrados en la bibliografía revisada fueron, el α- gurjuneno, el Υ-amorfeno, el α-muuroleno, el sesquitujeno, el α-trans- bergamoteno y el trans-cadina-1,4-dieno. Los principales metabolitos secundarios detectados fueron: biciclosesquifelandreno, E-β-farneseno, E-β-cariofileno, Υ- muuroleno+Υ-curcumeno y α-zingibereno. Una función importante de éstas y otras esencias florales es la defensa y la protección durante el estrés abiótico de la planta.

Morfología, anatomía, ontogenia y composición química de metabolitos secundarios en inflorescencias de Lippia alba (Verbenaceae)

Morphology, anatomy, ontogeny and chemical composition of inflorescences volatile secondary metabolites of Lippia alba (Verbenaceae) at three stages of development. There is an increased interest to know and scientifically validate traditional knowledge of medicinal plants. Lippia alba belongs to Verbenaceae family and has been of interest, not only because of its worldwide extensive distribution, but also for its variable use as antiviral, bactericide, citostatic, analgesic and sedative. To study this, the morphology and ontogeny of Lippia alba inflorescences and the chemical composition of its volatile secondary metabolites were analyzed during three different stages of development. Plants were collected at the experimental crop field in CENIVAM, Bucaramanga, Colombia. The inflorescence’s morphology and ontogeny, and the chemical composition of volatile secondary metabolites were analyzed using a stereoscopic microscope and chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. Fresh material corresponding to each stage was fixed in F.A.A (formol, acetic acid and alcohol), included in paraffin and cutted in transversal and longitudinal sections. Sections were stained with safranine-fastgreen, photographed and decribed. The chemical composition of volatile secondary metabolites at each ontogenic stage, was extracted by solid phase micro-extraction in the headspace mode and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Stage I showed a meristematic mass of cells in vegetative apex and bracts, with an outline of floral whorls. In Stage III, the stamens were adnate, epipetals and didynamous, bicarpelar and syncarpic gynoecium, with superior ovary and decurrent stigma. The main secondary metabolites detected were the bicyclosesquiphellandrene followed by carvone, limonene and trans-β-farnesene, that constituted the 78% of the total relative amounts of compounds. Other metabolites such as β-copaene, γ-amorphene and cis-β-guaiene, were reported for the first time in this study. When compared to other studies, morphological differences reported in this study are possibly related to adaptation to environmental conditions or pollinators, which let us suggest that there is no specific ontogenic pattern. Similarly, the qualitative and quantitative variations in the detected compounds could be explained because one or more of them are used as precursors of others. Rev. Biol. Trop. 58 (4): 1533-1548. Epub 2010 December 01.

La especie Lippia alba (Verbenaceae) llama la atención de los investigadores por su amplia distribución en todo el mundo y sus diversas propiedades. Se establecieron tres etapas durante el desarrollo de sus inflorescencias, fueron recolectadas en Bucaramanga, Colombia para analizar los cambios morfoanatómicos. Para ello, las muestras se trataron mediante la técnica safraninafastgreen y se observaron utilizando microscopio óptico convencional. Se realizó el aislamiento de los metabolitos secundarios volátiles usando la técnica de microextracción en fase sólida en el modo headspace (HS-SPME) y su posterior análisis de componentes, mediante cromatografía de gases acoplada a espectrometría de masas (GC-MS). En la Etapa I se observó una masa de células meristemáticas en el ápice vegetativo. En la Etapa II la acción de procesos morfogenéticos dan paso a la formación de los verticilos florales del perianto. En la Etapa III se establecen todos los verticilos florales. Los principales metabolitos secundarios constituyen el 78% de la cantidad relativa total. Ellos son el biciclosesquifelandreno, la carvona, el limoneno y el trans-β-farneseno. Los metabolitos β-copaeno, γ-amorfeno y cis-β-guaieno, no estαn registrados en la bibliografνa revisada. Estos compuestos activos pueden variar de acuerdo con el estado de desarrollo de la planta, la parte empleada para la extracciσn y el mιtodo implementado para ello.

Composição química, atividade antibacteriana in vitro e toxicidade em Artemia salina do óleo essencial das inflorescências de Ocimum gratissimum L., Lamiaceae / Chemical composition, antibacterial activity in vitro and brine-shrimp toxicity of the essential oil from inflorescences of Ocimum gratissimum L., Lamiaceae.

O óleo essencial das inflorescências de Ocimum gratissimum L., Lamiaceae foi obtido por hidrodestilação e analisado por CG/EM. Os constituintes majoritários identificados foram eugenol (81,94 por cento) e γ-muuroleno (12,58 por cento). O óleo essencial das inflorescências demonstrou atividade antibacteriana frente a todas as cepas bacterianas testadas pelo método de microdiluição em caldo. Merece destaque a atividade verificada frente às cepas resistentes de Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus e Escherichia coli. Os valores obtidos de concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) e a concentração bactericida mínima (CBM) variaram, respectivamente, entre 0,5-2 mg/mL e 1-4 mg/mL. Valores de CL50 de 233,8 (200,7-272,0) µg/mL para o óleo essencial e 186,1 (144,1-228,5) µg/mL para o eugenol, utilizado como controle positivo, foram observados frente à Artemia salina L.

The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of the inflorescences of Ocimum gratissimum L. was analyzed by GC/MS. The main constituents were eugenol (81.94 percent) and γ-muurolene (12.58 percent). Antibacterial activity was shown against all assayed strains by the broth microdilution method. It's worth noting the activity against resistant strains of Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values ranged between 0.5-2 mg/mL and 1-4 mg/mL, respectively. Preliminary toxicity assayed by the brine-shrimp (Artemia salina L.) test showed LC50 values of 233.8 (200.7 - 272.0) µg/mL and 186.1 (144.1 - 228.5) µg/mL, respectively for the essential oil and eugenol (positive control).

Produção e distribuição de fitomassa no guaranazeiro (Paullinia cupana H.B.K. var. sorbilis (Mart.) Ducke) / Production and distribution of phytomass in guarana plants

Apesar da importância econômica do guaranazeiro (Paullinia cupana H.B.K. var. sorbilis (Mart.) Ducke) em algumas regiões do Brasil, existem poucas informações sobre sua caracterização fenológica. Assim, realizou-se um estudo cujo objetivo foi de quantificar a produção de fitomassa e sua distribuição, em uma população de guaranazeiros, originadas de propagação sexuada. Foram avaliadas cinco plantas adultas, que lançaram mais de 100 ramos por planta ano-1, dos quais apenas 50 por cento produziram frutos. As plantas lançaram entre 445 e 1294 inflorescências por ano, porém, de 67 por cento a 98 por cento produziram apenas um fruto. A produção de matéria seca total foi estimada em 15,8 kg por planta ao ano, o que corresponde 6350 kg ha ano-1. Nas plantas, o maior acúmulo de matéria seca apresentou a seguinte ordem: folhas>ramos>sementes>ráquis>casca dos frutos+arilo> pecíolos.

The commerce of guarana seeds (Paullinia cupana H.B.K. var. sorbilis (Mart.) Ducke) is economically important in some regions of Brazil. However, few studies are found about its phenological characteristics. The aim of this paper was to study the production and distribution of organic matter in adult plants of guarana. Five individuals, which had more than 100 branches per plant/year, were evaluated. One found out that only 50 percent of the branches had fruits. The guarana plants had between 445 and 1294 inflorescences but of these, 67 percent to 98 percent had only one fruit. The total organic matter was evaluated in 15.8 kg per plant year-1 which means around 6350 kg ha year-1. The organic matter storage in guarana plant had the following sequence: leaves>branches>seeds>rachis> fruit peel+aril> petiole.

Frutos da floresta amazônica. parte i: myristicaceae

Descriptions and line drawings of fruits and seeds from woody plants of the family Myristicaceae occuring in Amazon, and their habitat, distribution and seed dispersal. Including a visualised glossary of widely used botanical terms.

Descrições e desenhos de frutos e sementes das espécies da família Myristicaceae,na Amazônia legal, são apresentadas, juntamente com informações adicionais sobre o hábito, habitat, distribuição geográfica e dispersão de sementes de cada espécie. O presente trabalho consta de um glossário visualizado, dos termos botânicos amplamente utilizados.