Accumulation of macronutrients in cowpea and weeds in competition and under soil water deficit / Acumulação de macronutrientes em feijão-caupi e plantas daninhas em competição e sob déficit hídrico no solo

The ability of a plant species to succeed in colonization of agroecosystem depends on its efficiency in the use of growth resources even in deficient conditions. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of competition and water deficit in the soil on the accumulation of macronutrients of Vigna unguiculataL. Walp., Commelina benghalensis L. and Waltheria indica L. The study was conducted in a greenhouse, in randomized block design, with four replications. The treatments were arranged in a 5 × 2 factorial, with the first factor corresponding to types of interaction among species (V. unguiculata + C. benghalensis; V. unguiculata + W. indica; V. unguiculata in monoculture, C. benghalensis in monoculture and W. indica in monoculture), and the second of water regimes (irrigated and water deficit).The water deficit differently affects macronutrient content on the species, with decreased of K, Ca and Mg in cowpea, and N, P, K and Ca in W. indica. For C. benghalensis, the water deficit does not reduce the macronutrient contents on the plant. The competition between plants intensifies the effects of water deficit only on C. benghalensis, with a decreased on the content of all macronutrients studied. Under irrigated conditions, competition between plants was more damaging the weeds compared to cowpea. The C. benghalensis specie, free from interference, has a high potential for nutrient extraction under irrigated and water deficit regimes.

A capacidade de uma espécie vegetal para ter sucesso na colonização do agroecossistema depende da sua eficiência na utilização dos recursos de crescimento mesmo em condições deficientes. Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da competição e déficit hídrico no solo no conteúdo de macronutrientes de feijão-caupi (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.), trapoeraba (Commelina benghalensis L.) e malva-branca (Waltheria indica L.). Foi conduzido estudo em casa de vegetação, em delineamento em blocos casualizado, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em fatorial 5 × 2, com o primeiro fator correspondente aos arranjos de competição entre as espécies (V. unguiculata + C. benghalensis; V. unguiculata + W. indica; V. unguiculataem monocultivo; C. benghalensis em monocultivo e W. indica em monocultivo), e o segundo dos regimes hídricos (irrigado e déficit hídrico). O déficit hídrico afeta de forma diferenciada o conteúdo de macronutrientes nas espécies, com redução de K, Ca e Mg no feijão-caupi, e N, P, K e Ca em W. indica. Para C. benghalensis, o déficit hídrico não reduz os conteúdos de macronutrientes na planta. A competição entre plantas intensifica os efeitos do déficit hídrico apenas em C. benghalensis, com redução do conteúdo de todos os macronutrientes estudados. Em condições irrigadas, a competição entre plantas foi mais prejudicial as plantas daninhas do que o feijão-caupi. Aespécie C. benghalensis, livre de interferência, apresenta elevado potencial de extração de nutrientes sob regimes irrigado e de déficit hídrico.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of essential oil of Waltheria indica / Actividades antiinflamatorias y nociceptivas del aceite esencial de Waltheria indica

This paper reports for the first time volatile compounds, anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of essential oils from the leaves of Waltheria indica L. (Stericullaceae) growing in Nigeria. The essential oil was hydro-distilled and characterized by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated on carrageenan induced rat paw edema while the anti-nociceptive test was based on hot plate model. The hydro-distillation afforded 0.41% (dry weight basis) of light green oil. Forty compounds representing 99.8% were identified in the oil. The main constituents of the oil were limonene (34.7%), sabinene (21.2%) and citronellal (9.7%). The anti-nociceptive property of the essential oils statically inhibited edema development (p<0.001) at a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg independent of time of exposure. However, the 100 mg/kg Waltheria indica essential oils (WIEO) displayed a relatively low inhibition (p<0.01-p>0.5) which declines as exposure time increases. The anti-inflammatory activities shows a steady rate and non-dose dependent activity (p<0.001) up to the 3rd h of inflammation study. Conversely, a sharp reduction at the rate of p<0.5, 0.1 and 0.01 for the 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg WIEO doses respectively. Overall, the results presented sustain and establish the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties and justifies the need for further evaluation and development of the essential oils from this plant.

Este artículo informa por primera vez de compuestos volátiles, actividades anti-nociceptivas y antiinflamatorias de aceites esenciales de las hojas de Waltheria indica L. (Stericullaceae) que crecen en Nigeria. El aceite esencial fue hidro-destilado y se caracterizó por cromatografía de gases-detección de ionización de llama (GC-FID) y cromatografía de gases junto con análisis de espectrometría de masas (GC-MS). La actividad antiinflamatoria se evaluó en el edema de pata de rata inducido por carragenano, mientras que la prueba antinociceptiva se basó en el modelo de placa caliente. La destilación hidráulica proporcionó 0,41% (en peso seco) de aceite verde claro. Cuarenta compuestos que representan el 99.8% fueron identificados en el aceite. Los principales componentes del aceite fueron el limoneno (34,7%), el sabineno (21,2%) y el citronelal (9,7%). La propiedad anti-nociceptiva de los aceites esenciales inhibió estáticamente el desarrollo del edema (p<0.001) a una dosis de 200 y 400 mg/kg independientemente del tiempo de exposición. Sin embargo, los aceites esenciales de Waltheria indica de 100 mg/kg (WIEO) mostraron una inhibición relativamente baja (p<0.01-p>0.5) que disminuye a medida que aumenta el tiempo de exposición. Las actividades antiinflamatorias muestran una tasa constante y una actividad no dependiente de la dosis (p<0.001) hasta la tercera hora del estudio de inflamación. Por el contrario, una fuerte reducción a una tasa de p<0.5, 0.1 y 0.01 para las dosis de 100, 200 y 400 mg/kg de WIEO respectivamente. En general, los resultados presentados sostienen y establecen las propiedades anti-nociceptivas y antiinflamatorias y justifican la necesidad de una mayor evaluación y desarrollo de los aceites esenciales de esta planta.

Antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the leafy stems of Waltheria indica L. (Sterculiaceae).

Aim of the study: The existence of numerous side effects following the use of anti inflammatory drugs has led to the present study about Waltheria indica (Sterculiaceae), prescribed in the treatment of many inflammatory diseases component to discover phytomedicines secondary effects mitigated. Materials and methods: The chemical principles have been demonstrated by test characterization in liquid medium according the method of Ciulei (1949). In vivo, the model of edema induced by carrageenan to cause inflammation and the model of acetic acid induced pain were used to assess the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the extract. In vitro, the effects of the aqueous extract on the DPPH°° radical, the lipoxygenase and lipid peroxidation has been demonstrated. Results: Phytochemical study of leafy stems of the plant showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, sterols, triterpenes, saponins, reducing compounds, coumarins etc. In vivo, the results showed the aqueous extract and anti- edematous effects of the analgesic of the plant. In vitro, the results revealed the aqueous extract of W. indica inhibited the radical of DPPH°°, the lipoxygenase and the lipid peroxidation. Conclusion: The presence of chemical compounds and biological properties obtained justify the contribution of the plant in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases with inflammatory component.