RESUMO
Introducción: Jatropha curcas L. (Euforbiaceae) es un árbol con múltiples propósitos; fuente alternativa para la obtención de biodiesel, alimentación humana y animal, producción de fertilizantes y en medicina tradicional. En los últimos años, el aumento en la prevalencia de bacterias multirresistentes y la aparición de cepas con reducida susceptibilidad a los antibióticos han propiciado la búsqueda de principios activos naturales, que controlen infecciones y plagas y minimicen los efectos secundarios producidos por las sustancias sintéticas. Objetivo: establecer la importancia química y las aplicaciones biológicas, farmacológicas e industriales de Jatropha curcas frente a sus efectos tóxicos. Métodos: se realizó una revisión exhaustiva y actualizada sobre diferentes investigaciones, que permitió identificar los aspectos más relevantes de los principales compuestos químicos presentes en cada una de las partes de la planta. Igualmente, se determinó la aplicación biológica, la utilidad medicinal, la toxicidad y la importancia industrial de Jatropha curcas. Resultados: Jatropha curcas se emplea de manera tradicional para el tratamiento de infecciones bacterianas y fúngicas o para enfermedades con episodios febriles, dolor muscular o ictericia. También es utilizada para la obtención de nuevos medicamentos mediante la identificación de principios activos, que permitan eliminar patógenos o inhibir signos y síntomas de enfermedades humanas y veterinarias. Conclusiones: de las especies con aplicaciones medicinales y diversidad en la obtención de productos útiles para la industria, Jatropha curcas es una de las que presenta gran número de reportes que evidencian su utilidad en la industria farmacéutica, agrícola, cosmética y alimenticia.
Introduction: Jatropha curcas (Euforbiaceae) is a multipurpose tree, an alternative source for biodiesel production, food, feed, fertilizers and in traditional medicine. In recent years, the increasing prevalence of multidrug resistant bacteria and the emergence of strains with reduced susceptibility to antibiotics have led to the search for natural active ingredients to control pests and minimize infections and side effects caused by synthetic substances. Objective: to ascertain the chemical importance and the biological, pharmacological and industrial applications of Jatropha curcas as well as its toxic effects. Methods: a thorough updated review of various studies was conducted to identify the most relevant traits of the main chemical compounds in every part of the plant. Additionally, the biological application, the medical benefits, the toxicity and the industrial importance of Jatropha curcas were determined. Results: Jatropha curcas is traditionally used to treat bacterial and fungal infections or febrile diseases, muscle pain or jaundice. It is also used for obtaining new drugs through the identification of active ingredients to eliminate pathogens or inhibit signs and symptoms of human and veterinary diseases. Conclusions: among the species with diverse medicinal applications Jatropha curcas is one having wide recognition due to its utility for obtaining useful products in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, cosmetic and food industries.
RESUMO
Verificou-se a atividade repelente do timol, mentol, ácido salicílico e salicilato de metila sobre larvas de Boophilus microplus. Essas substâncias foram usadas em emulsões em dimetilsulfuxido aquoso a 1 por cento ou solução aquosa. Para cada substância foram testadas três concentrações, 1,0 por cento; 0,5 por cento e 0,25 por cento, com cinco repetições cada. Cerca de 100 larvas, com 21 dias de idade, foram inseridas na base de hastes de madeira para avaliação da repelência, a cada duas horas, totalizando 12 horas. As concentrações mais elevadas apontaram que as quatro substâncias causaram alteração no comportamento das larvas. Timol, com mortalidade de 65 por cento e 35 por cento de repelência e mentol e salicilato de metila, ambos com 80 por cento de repelência foram os mais eficientes.
The repellent activity of thymol, menthol, salicylic acid and methyl salicylate on Boophilus microplus larvae was studied. These substances were tested according to their solubility: emulsions in 1 percent aqueous dimethylsulphoxide or in pure water. Three concentrations were tested for each substance, 1.0 percent, 0.5 percent and 0.25 percent, with five repetitions for each. Approximately 100 larvae at 21 days of age were placed on the base of wooden sticks and then observed for repellent action every two hours, during twelve hours. The results obtained from the higher concentrations showed that the four substances caused alterations on the larvae behavior. However, thymol (65 percent of mortality and 35 percent of repellency), menthol (80 percent of repellency) and methyl salicylate (80 percent of repellency) were the most efficient.