A novel approach to Cestrum intermedium (mata-boi): anatomical and physical-chemical characterization, in vitro biological activities, and metabolites of a Brazilian native species

Abstract The Brazilian native species Cestrum intermedium, known as mata-boi, induces hepatotoxicity and death when ingested by cattle. While most studies on this species focus on toxicological features, our study is the first to describe the anatomy and in vitro biological activities of Cestrum intermedium. We investigated adult leaves and stems by histochemistry, described their anatomy, performed physical-chemical analysis, determined in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and identified secondary metabolites. A few noteworthy anatomical features were the anomocytic stomata on the abaxial surface and the absence of trichomes, in addition to the circular shaped petiole with two projections on the adaxial surface. Histochemical analysis showed chemical markers such as alkaloids, usually reported as toxic, and terpenoids. Potassium nitrate (ATR-FTIR) and lupeol palmitate (NMR) were detected on the crude stem extract. Thermogravimetric and physical-chemical analysis provided fingerprint parameters for the species. Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assay revealed that Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Candida albicans were weakly inhibited by extract samples. Chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions presented high phenolic content, which resulted in in vitro antioxidant activity. These novel features expand the knowledge about this species, considering that previous studies mainly focused on its toxicity. Our study also provided characteristics that may help in avoiding misidentification between Cestrum members, especially when taxonomic keys cannot be employed, as in the absence of flowers and fruits.

Chemical Composition and In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oil Obtained from Eugenia pyriformis Cambess. (Myrtaceae)

Abstract Our study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of the essential oil from the leaves of Eugenia pyriformis Cambess., belonging to the Myrtaceae family and native to the Brazilian Atlantic forest. The volatile compounds in the essential oil were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed using GC-MS; 36 compounds accounted for 78.80% of the total oil content. The major compounds were β-caryophyllene, bicyclogermacrene, globulol, and (δ-cadinene. We evaluated their antimicrobial potential of the essential oil and toxicity to Artemia salina. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was evaluated against 12 microorganisms using the broth microdilution method. Our results showed moderate inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MIC, 250 and 125 μg.mL-1, respectively) and toxicity to A. salina (LC50, 125.64 μg.mL-1). Our results establish the biological activity of the essential oil obtained from E. pyriformis.

Phytochemical and morpho-anatomical study of the vegetative organs of Psychotria fractistipula L. B.Sm., R.M. Klein & Delprete (Rubiaceae)

Psychotria fractistipula L.B.Sm, R.M. Klein & Delprete (Rubiaceae) is found in the existing Atlantic Forest in the South of Brazil, in the Paraná and Santa Catarina States. The members of Rubiaceae are characterized chemically by the presence of alkaloids, some pharmacological properties of which include antifungal, antibacterial, analgesic, antioxidant, antimutagenic, and antiviral activities. In this study, we report the results of anatomical, morphological, and histochemical analyses of the leaves and stems of the Rubiaceae family member, P. fractistipula. The anatomical analysis involved of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Morpho-anatomical and histochemical characterization were made using standard methodology. The isolated compounds were identified by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopic analysis. The following structures are highlighted as the distinctive features of the species: presence of petiolate leaves and a petiole base, leaf blade with smooth cuticle on both surfaces, paracytic stomata, and, dorsiventral mesophyll and presence of trichomes on the leaves and stems. Phytosteroids, identified as β-sitosterol and campesterol, were observed in the hexane fraction of the stem. Future studies should focus on the isolation of other fractions of interest and their characterization through specific biological and cytotoxicity assays.

Anatomy and Histochemistry of Leaf and Stem of Brazilian Endemic Species Mollinedia clavigera Tul

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the anatomy and histochemistry of Mollinedia clavigera leaves and stems through photonic microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Noteworthy features of leaves were: presence of paracytic stomata on both surfaces; simple as well as bifurcate non-glandular trichomes; prismatic calcium oxalate crystals; flat-convex midrib with a central and two dorsal bundles; concave-convex petiole with a single vascular bundle in open archh. Stems were cylindrical and showed prismatic and styloid crystals in the pith. Histochemical analysis detected lipophilic and phenolic compounds, starch grains and lignified elements such as brachysclereids and fibers. These features may assist in future identifications and quality control of M. clavigera, avoid misidentification between other genus members, once species and genus studies are scarce.

Conhecimento e uso de plantas medicinais por usuários de Unidades Básicas de Saúde na Região de Colombo, PR / The knowledge and use of medicinal plants by users of primary healthcare facilities in Colombo, PR

Objetivo: Avaliar o conhecimento sobre a utilização de plantas medicinais pela população frequentadora de Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) em Colombo, PR. Material e Métodos: Por meio de um questionário de pesquisa estruturado, foram entrevistados usuários adultos de ambos os sexos, de quatro UBS, entre os meses de maio e junho de 2016. Resultados: Foram entrevistados 101 usuários de UBS. Destes, 72,28% utilizavam plantas medicinais, sendo a maioria do sexo feminino, com idade média de 39 anos. A espécie vegetal mais citada pela população foi a camomila (Matricaria chamomilla L.), seguida da hortelã (Mentha spicata L.) e do capim limão (Cymbopogon citratus L.), sendo que a indicação mais referida pelos entrevistados foi calmante, seguida das afecções estomacais. Aproximadamente 70% dos entrevistados que fazem uso de plantas medicinais relataram que cultivam as próprias plantas para consumo e o entendimento da finalidade terapêutica é proveniente do conhecimento familiar. Dentre as 30 plantas citadas pelos entrevistados, grande parte estão listadas na Relação Nacional de Plantas Medicinais de Interesse ao SUS (RENISUS), no Formulário Fitoterápico e no Memento Fitoterápico da Farmacopeia Brasileira. Conclusão: A partir dos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que os usuários entendem que as plantas medicinais auxiliam na terapêutica como um complemento no tratamento das mais diversas enfermidades.(AU)

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge on the use of medicinal plants by frequent users of Primary Healthcare Facilities (PHF) in Colombo, PR. Material and Methods: Adult users of both sexes from four PHF were interviewed using a structured questionnaire between May and June 2016. Results: A total of 101 PHF users were interviewed. Of these, 72.28% reported using medicinal plants, most of them being female, with a mean age of 39 years. The plant species most frequently cited were chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), followed by mint (Mentha spicata L.) and lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus L.), and the most common indications were soothing, followed by stomach disorders. Approximately 70% of the respondents who use medicinal plants reported that they cultivate the plants themselves for consumption, and that the knowledge of the therapeutic purpose comes from the family. Among the 30 plants cited by respondents, most of them are listed in the National List of Medicinal Plants of Interest to the Brazilian Healthcare System (SUS, RENISUS); in the Phytotherapic Form; and in the Phytotherapic Memento of the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. Conclusion: It is concluded that users understand that medicinal plants help in therapy as an adjunct in the treatment of several diseases.(AU)

Avaliação da atividade antioxidante e antimicrobiana do extrato etanólico bruto e frações orgânicas obtidas a partir da casca do caule da espécie Guettarda uruguensis Cham, & Scthdl, (Rubiaceae) / Assessment of the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the crude ethanolic extract and organic fractions obtained from the stem bark of the specie Guettarda uruguensis Cham. & Scthdl. (Rubiaceae)

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial antioxidante e antimicrobiano do extrato bruto e frações obtidas das cascas do caule da espécie Guettarda uruguensis, Os ensaios antioxidantes indicaram alto potencial antioxidante, No ensaio de redução de fosfomolibdênio, a fração acetato de etila apresentou atividade antioxidante de 41,67% em relação ao padrão de ácido ascórbico e superou em 35,21% a atividade do padrão rutina, No ensaio de redução do DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), a fração acetato de etila apresentou um IC50 de 10,91 µg mL-1, valor próximo ao do ácido ascórbico (IC50 = 4,78 µg mL-1) e da rutina (IC50 = 6,62 µg mL-1), Pelo ensaio de TBA (acido tiobabitúrico) o extrato bruto (IA = 71,48%) e a fração hexano (IA = 47,85%) apresentaram índices superiores ao controle de BHT (butil hidroxi tolueno) (IA = 42,66), Através do ensaio de microdiluição em placas, foi observado que o extrato bruto e frações apresentaram atividade antimicrobiana, O estudo fitoquímico qualitativo revelou a presença de alcaloides, cumarinas, esteroides e/ou triterpenos, heterosídeos saponínicos, taninos e aminogrupos...

This main purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of the crude extract and fractions obtained from the stem bark of the plant species. The antioxidant assays indicated high antioxidant capacity. In the reduction assay of the phosphomolybdenum, the ethyl acetate fraction showed antioxidant activity of 41.67% compared to standard ascorbic acid and exceeded in 35.21% the activity of the standard rutin. In the reduction assay of the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), the ethyl acetate fraction showed an IC50 of 10.91 µg mL-1, equivalent to the ascorbic acid (IC50 = 4.78 µg mL-1) and rutin (IC50 = 6.62 µg mL-1). By the TBA (thiobarbituric acid) assay the crude extract (IA = 71.48%) and hexane fraction (IA = 47.85%) had an index higher than the control of BHT (butyl hydroxy toluene) (IA = 42.675). Through of assay of microdilution on plates was verified that the crude extract and fractions showed antimicrobial activity. The qualitative phytochemical study revealed the presence of alkaloids, coumarins, steroids and/or triterpenoids, saponin glycosides, tannins and amino groups...