Anatomical, Histochemical and Biological Studies of Clusia grandiflora Splitg. (Clusiaceae)

Abstract Clusia grandiflora belongs to an important botanical family which is known for its medicinal value, however there are few reports in literature about the species, highlighting the relevance of this study. Anatomical studies with leaves and stems were performed using traditional techniques. In this investigation it was identified particularities of the species such as the presence of vascular system arranged in an opened arc-shaped with the flexed ends towards the inside of the arch with accessory bundles in the petiole. In histochemical studies, performed with different reagents, alkaloids, phenols substances, carbohydrates and lipids were located. The cytotoxic activity of the extracts was performed by tetrazole salt and showed promising results for ethanolic extracts of stems (IC50 human colon cells of 24.30 μg/ mL) and leaves (IC50 ascites gastric cells of 44.15 μg/ mL), without cell membrane disruption of erythrocytes. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by tryptic soy agar and minimal inhibitory concentration assays and showed positive results for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, with better result for adventitious roots (32 μg/ mL and 16 μg/ mL, respectively), stems (64 μg/ mL and 32 μg/ mL, respectively) and leaves (64 μg/ mL and 32 μg/ mL, respectively) ethanolic extracts. Thus, these studies were able to characterize the species and show its potential as promising source of active substances.

Useful woody species and its environmental availability: the case of artisanal fishermen in Itaúnas, Brazil / Espécies lenhosas úteis e sua disponibilidade no ambiente: o caso dos pescadores artesanais em Itaúnas, Brasil

Ethnobotanical studies involve research with human societies and their different interaction with plants, and the quantitative approaches from thes estudies are important to select conservation priority of species in natural environment. This research aims to quantify use-values for woody plants mentioned by fishers in Itaúnas, state of Espírito Santo, and evaluate the relationship between use- values and species availability (absolute density and frequency, and importance value) in two distinct resting vegetation formations. It also proposes to identify priority species for conservation. It was selected 30 species cited in individual semi-structured interviews with key-informant in fishers' community and who were also on list of structural survey of two vegetation phytophysiognomies in the restinga regions. The data used was collected in previously published work. It was performed a correlation analysis between use-values and structural parameters of the mentioned woody species. Protium heptaphyllum, P. icicariba and Byrsonima sericea present the highest use-values. It was not observed relation between use-value and species availability in each vegetation formation. It was classified two and eight species as priority for conservation on shrubby and forest formations, respectively.

Estudos etnobotânicos envolvem pesquisas com sociedades humanas e suas diferentes interações com as plantas, e abordagens quantitativas deste estudos são importantes para selecionar prioridades de conservação das espécies nos ambientes naturais. Esta pesquisa objetiva quantificar os valores de uso das plantas citadas por pescadores em Itaúnas, Espírito Santo, e avaliar as relações entre os valores de uso a disponibilidade das espécies (densidade e frequência absoluta e valor de importância) em duas formações vegetais distintas de restinga. É também proposto identificar o índice de prioridade de conservação das espécies. Foram selecionadas 30 espécies citadas em entrevistas individuais semiestruturadas com informantes-chave na comunidade de pescadores e que também estavam em listas de levantamentos estruturais de duas fitofisionomias vegetais de restinga na região. Os dados utilizados foram coletados em trabalhos previamente publicados. Foi feita a análise de correlação entre os valores de uso e os parâmetros estruturais das espécies lenhosas mencionadas. Protium heptaphyllum, P. icicariba e Byrsonima sericea apresentaram o maior valor de uso. Não foi observado relação entre o valor de uso a disponibilidade das espécies em cada formação vegetal. Foram classificadas duas e oito espécies para prioridade de conservação nas formações arbustivas e florestais respectivamente.