Cytotoxicity Screening of Sterculia striata A.St.-Hil. & Naudin (Chichá) and Arachis hypogaea L. (Peanut) and Comparative Chemical Profiles Before and After in Vitro Digestion.

This study traced the cytotoxicity, antioxidant activity, and phytochemical profile before and after in vitro digestion of nuts from Sterculia striata A. St.-Hil. & Naudin (Malvaceae) (chichá or monkey's peanut), a native plant from Brazil, in comparison with Arachis hypogaea L. (peanut). The antioxidant activity in the 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay (FRAP) assays was lower in chichá when compared with peanuts, corroborating the lower concentration of polyphenols. None of the samples studied showed significant cytotoxicity in 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromideDAD: diode-array detection (MTT) assays. In vitro digestion altered the phytochemical profile in both plants, increasing the concentration of rutin in fresh and roasted chichá but only in raw peanuts. In roasted peanuts, rutin was converted into quercetin. Chichá nuts have been used by the local population for centuries, and the identification of their bioactive components can be useful to promote their benefits as a functional food.

Proliferative Effect of Food Plant Species from Brazil's Cerrado on Cultured Fibroblasts.

Brazilian Cerrado is the second largest biome in South America and contains many unstudied valuable plant species rich in bioactive substances. In this study we investigated the phenolic content and proliferative effects on cultured fibroblasts of 32 extracts of different polarities prepared from 11 plants found in Cerrado regions. Eight extracts from six species increased cell proliferation and significantly induced ATP production by the cells. Four of these extracts were obtained from plants used as food, specifically from its fruits or seeds. A high phenolic content for these eight extracts, which directly correlated with the induction of cell proliferation, was corroborated by mass spectrometry analysis. We suggest that the bioactive substance content of these species shows an interesting potential use in cosmetic and food industry, which can contribute to the conservation and sustainable development of this region.

Edible fruits from Brazilian biodiversity: A review on their sensorial characteristics versus bioactivity as tool to select research.

The Brazilian flora is very rich in edible fruits but only a fraction of this potential is known and properly used. In this study, we discuss the importance of Brazilian edible fruits using data recovered from the book "Dicionário das plantas úteis do Brasil e das exóticas cultivadas" (Dictionary of Useful Plants of Brazil and Exotic Cultivated), organized by the Portuguese botanist Manoel Pio Corrêa (1874-1934), in 1926. Data from 504 species were recorded from the book and several have attractive and/or sensorial characteristics, as tasty and sweet, that can contribute to stimulating their direct consumption. Only 25% of the recorded fruits have their health benefits determined in studies of bioactivity. A ranking (Priority Index = PI) was constructed in order to know the most promising fruits. Anacardium occidentale, Passiflora edulis and Acrocomia aculeata reached a higher PI. Among the families, Orchidaceae, Verbenaceae, Anacardiaceae and Caryocaraceae have a higher proportion of fruits with higher PI. Besides the health benefits, the market and management of these plants can contribute to biodiversity conservation and improve the income of local populations.

Effects of Rudgea viburnoides (Cham.) Benth. (Rubiaceae) Leaves on Metabolic and Inflammatory Dysfunction Induced by High Refined Carbohydrate-Containing Diet in Mice.

Obesity is characterized by a chronic low-grade inflammation, which has been shown to be involved in the development of comorbidities such as insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and liver damage. Phytochemicals found in plants may modulate inflammation and improve health problems associated with the excess of adiposity. Teas prepared with many plants are used in Brazil for losing weight. In this study, we evaluated the potential of Rudgea viburnoides (Cham.) Benth. on metabolic and inflammatory disarrangement induced by high refined carbohydrate (HC)-containing diet in mice. BALB/c mice were fed with chow or HC diet for 8 weeks. After this period, the HC diet was supplemented for 4 weeks with three different doses, 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg, of crude extract of R. viburnoides. Ethanol extract at the lowest dose (40 mg/kg) reduced adipocyte size, and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. A lower concentration of proinflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and CCL2 in the liver and adipose tissue, and reduced levels of cholesterol and resistin in the serum were also observed. High concentrations of chlorogenic and caffeic acids, and the flavonoids, rutin and quercetin, were confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography/diode array detector. Therefore, these data confirm the potential of R. viburnoides leaves as nutraceutical agents for the treatment of metabolic and inflammatory changes associated with obesity.

Morpho-anatomy of native species used as substitute of quina (Cinchona spp.) in Brazilian traditional medicine: Esenbeckia febrifuga

ABSTRACT Esenbeckia febrifuga (A.St.-Hil.) A. Juss. ex Mart., Rutaceae, is known by several popular names including quina-do-mato. This name is a reference to the use of its bark as febrifuge and in the past was employed as a substitute of Cinchona sp. for treatment of malaria symptoms. This confusion may have been reinforced by the fact that the bark of these plants are similar in appearance and have a bitter taste. In view thereof this study presents the description morphological and anatomical and the histochemistry of the stem bark and contributes to the pharmacobotanical study of plant drugs identified as Brazilian quinas, in sequence to two others studies. Compared with the Cinchona species, the prismatic shape of calcium oxalate crystals and the fibers with adornate end walls proved to be the main characteristics for differentiation.

Evidence of traditionality of Brazilian medicinal plants: The case studies of Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville (barbatimão) barks and Copaifera spp. (copaíba) oleoresin in wound healing.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the potential of plants used in secular traditional medicine and considers this an important source of evidence to assess their effectiveness and safety. Brazil is rich in biodiversity and traditional uses based on the Amerindian culture. However, many processes started with the arrival of the Portuguese in the year 1500. The successive economic cycles, for example, led to destruction of native vegetation and an intense cultural erosion. As a consequence, the information about the use of plants in the past centuries are dispersed and without interpretation. In this study a methodology to evidence the traditionality of Brazilian plants was demonstrated using data about barbatimão barks (Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville - Fabaceae) and Copaiba oleoresin (Copaifera spp. - Fabaceae) in wound healing, was established. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data about use of the plants were recovered from bibliography published between 1576 and 2011. The books (101) were classified using weights, considering the date of publication and the source of Information. Older books that describe primary information received weight 10, while books written more recently and with secondary information received weight 0.4. A score for each category of medicinal use was calculated based on the books weights and the frequency of citation. A review about the current use of both plants was also performed from ethnobotanical studies published in journals. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The traditional secular use of barks of barbatimão and oleoresin of copaiba to treat wounds was confirmed based on the historic bibliographic research. The most frequent use of barbatimão in a timeline of 500 years of Brazil's history, was as astringent, whereas for copaíba was as healing of skin and mucosal lesions. The continuous and current use of these plants to treat wounds, confirmed by recent ethnobotanical studies, is an indicative of the resilience of these remedies and their effectiveness. CONCLUSION: The use of preparations containing barbatimão barks and copaiba oleoresin can be considered effective in the treatment of wounds. Nonetheless, it is necessary to improve the quality of the formulas as established by WHO.

Chemical composition and inhibitory activities on dipeptidyl peptidase IV and pancreatic lipase of two underutilized species from the Brazilian Savannah: Oxalis cordata A.St.-Hil. and Xylopia aromatica (Lam.) Mart.

Brazil has the greatest vegetal biodiversity in the world, but products derived from native species are not optimally utilized. Oxalis cordata and Xylopia aromatica are two underutilized species whose leaves and fruits, respectively, have been used as food in the 19th century. In this study, we used chemical and in vitro assays to evaluate the potential of these species as functional foods. The inhibitory activity on pancreatic lipase and DPP-IV were evaluated using the crude extracts and fractions ethyl acetate, butanol and water of these two species. For polyphenols determination, samples were prepared with different solvents and these were analysed by chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. Finally, fatty acids profile was determinated by gas chromatography. The crude extract (IC50=0.84mg/ml), ethyl acetate extract (IC50=0.88mg/ml) an aqueous fraction (IC50=0.63mg/ml) of C. cordata were inhibitory on pancreatic lipase but inactive against dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV). Extracts from X. aromatica were inactive against the lipase pancreatic enzyme, but a butanolic fraction inhibited DPP-IV (IC50=0.71±0.05mg/ml). The phenolic acids orientin/isorientin, chlorogenic acid (0.32g/100g) and the flavonoid derivatives rutin (0.27g/100g), quercetin and luteolin were observed in all products. Additionally, fatty acid quantification showed that oleic (7.5g/100g) and linoleic acid (6.5g/100g) were predominant in X. aromatica fruit. This study confirms the potential for the use of both plants as functional foods due to their nutritional value, biological activity and important phytochemical content.

Plants from the Brazilian Traditional Medicine: species from the books of the Polish physician Piotr Czerniewicz (Pedro Luiz Napoleão Chernoviz, 1812-1881)

Abstract The Brazilian flora is very rich in medicinal plants, and much information about the traditional use of the Brazilian plants is only available from early literature and we are facing a rapid process of loss of biodiversity. To retrieve data about useful plants registered in the books of the Polish physicist P.L.N. Chernoviz, who lived in Brazil for 15 years in the 19th century. The aim is to improve our knowledge about Brazilian plants, and to ensure the benefits of sharing it with potential users. Data about Brazilian plants were obtained from six editions of the book Formulary and Medical Guide (Formulário e Guia Médico), published in 1864, 1874, 1888, 1892, 1897 and 1920. All this information was then organized in boxes, and correlated with pharmacological studies from PubMed and Lilacs. A total of 238 species were recorded and 117 different traditional uses were registered for the plants. The most common uses were to treat general skin diseases and intermittent fevers, as purgative, diuretics and andidiarrheal. From the total, only 61 species (25.6%) have been to date subject to pharmacological studies and had their activities confirmed. Chernoviz books represent an important source of data about plants used in traditional medicine of Brazil. Their records were collected at a time when Brazil's native vegetation was still largely intact, and traditional medicine was practiced based on native plants. We argue that these plants must be prioritized in development of medicines, submitting them to clinical studies or by considering their traditionality, as established by WHO. Strategies for the protection of the traditional knowledge are also necessary.

Morpho-anatomy and chemical profile of native species used as substitute of quina (Cinchona spp.) in Brazilian traditional medicine. Part II: Remijia ferruginea

ABSTRACT This research is part of a larger study of the Brazilian species that are commonly referred to as "quinas" and used as substitute of Cinchona species. In this study, we have performed the botanical characterization of the stem bark of Remijia ferruginea (A. St.-Hil.) DC., Rubiaceae, by morphological and anatomical description, and the analysis of its chemical profile. Stem bark is thin and has the color and the texture of its external and internal surfaces as diagnostic features. Types and sizes of sclerified cells in the cortical parenchyma and in the secondary phloem are important features for analysis of the transversal sections and in the macerate. Alkaloids, flavonoids and chlorogenic acid were detected in the chemical analysis for TLC. These standard references can be used in the quality control of the bark of quinas.

Antihyperlipidemic and antihyperglycemic effects of the Brazilian salsaparrilhas Smilax brasiliensis Spreng. (Smilacaceae) and Herreria salsaparrilha Mart. (Agavaceae) in mice treated with a high-refined-carbohydrate containing diet.

Roots of Smilax species (Smilacaceae), named as salsaparrilha, have been used for centuries in Asia and Americas as depurative (=for "cleaning blood"), diuretic and sudorific. In southeast of Brazil, roots of Herreria salsaparrilha Mart. (Agavaceae) are also named as salsaparrilha and are used for the same purpose. In this study, we have evaluated the antihyperlipidemic and antihyperglycemic effects of extracts from roots of Smilax brasiliensis and H. salsaparrilha in mice fed with high-refined carbohydrate diet (HC). The chemical composition of the products was determined by LC-DAD and LC-MS. Groups of mice that received the HC diet showed an increase in plasma concentrations of glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol, compared to control group, without treatment (p<0.05). Triglycerides were reduced significantly (p<0.05) in HC diet group that received 100 and 200mg/kg BW/day of both salsaparrilha extracts. Glucose and total cholesterol levels were reduced significantly (p<0.05) in the groups that received the higher doses (200mg/kg BW/day) of both extracts of salsaparrilha. Extracts of S. brasiliensis, at this dose also showed a higher reduction in triglycerides levels (p<0.001) and promoted a significant reduction in the adipocyte area (p<0.05). Both extracts showed the presence of saponins in LC analysis but S. brasiliensis has a higher concentration of phenolics, mainly chlorogenic acid. The presence of steroidal saponins might be responsible for the reduction of the cholesterol levels, while phenolics in S. brasiliensis by the metabolism of triglycerides and better fat distribution. The result is according with the traditional use of these plants and shown their potential for use as functional foods.

Useful Brazilian plants listed in the manuscripts and publications of the Scottish medic and naturalist George Gardner (1812-1849).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Information regarding the beneficial use of native Brazilian plants was compiled by a number of European naturalists in the 19th century. The Scottish surgeon botanist George Gardner (1812-1849) was one such naturalist; however, the useful plants recorded in his manuscripts have not yet been studied in depth. AIM OF THE STUDY: To present data recorded by Gardner in his manuscript Catalogue of Brazilian Plants regarding the use of native plants by Brazilian people and evaluate the extent to which they have been explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on useful plants were obtained from Gardner׳s manuscript Catalogue of Brazilian Plants deposited in the Archives of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK. The identification of each plant was determined and/or updated by consulting the preserved botanical collections of Gardner deposited in the Herbarium of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (hereafter K), and expert determinations in other herbaria where duplicates are held. Correlated pharmacological studies for each plant were obtained from the PubMed database. Information recorded in Gardner׳s diary and previously published elsewhere complemented these data. RESULTS: A total of 63 useful plants was recorded from the Catalogue and a further 30 from Gardner׳s book Travels in the Interior of Brazil (Gardner, 1846). Of the recorded names in the Catalogue, 46 (73%) could be identified to species by consulting specimens collected by Gardner and held at Kew. Thirty-six different traditional uses were registered for the identified plants, the most common being as febrifuges, to treat venereal complaints and as purgatives. Fewer than 50% of these species have been the focus of published pharmacological studies, yet for those which have been thus investigated, the efficacies reported by Gardner were confirmed. CONCLUSION: The data recorded by Gardner represent a rich, relatively unexplored source of information regarding the traditional uses of Brazilian plants which merits further investigation.

The use of an integrated molecular-, chemical- and biological-based approach for promoting the better use and conservation of medicinal species: a case study of Brazilian quinas.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Quina is a popular name originally attributed to Cinchona pubescens Vahl (=Cinchona succirubra) and Cinchona. calisaya Wedd., species native from Peru that have the antimalarial alkaloid quinine. In Brazil, bitter barks substitutes for the Peruvian species began to be used centuries ago, and they still are sold in popular markets. To assess the authenticity and the conditions on which samples of quinas have been commercialized, using the DNA barcode, chemical and biological assays. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Starting with 28 samples of barks acquired on a popular market, 23 had their DNA extracted successfully. The regions matK and rbcL were amplified and sequenced for 15 and 23 samples, respectively. Phytochemical analyses were performed by chromatographic methods, and biological essays were done by antimalarial tests in vitro. RESULTS: The identified species belonged to six different families, many of them endangered or with no correlation with use in traditional medicine as a Brazilian quina. The absence of typical bitter chemical substances indicated that barks have been collected from other species or from very young trees. The results of biological essays confirm the lack of standardization of the sold materials. CONCLUSION: The integrated approaches proved to be efficient to evaluate medicinal plants sold in popular markets and can be useful for promoting their better use and conservation.

Bitter plants used as substitute of Cinchona spp. (quina) in Brazilian traditional medicine.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Bitter tasting plant species are used as tonics and have been previously used to treat intermittent fevers in Brazil, the principal symptom of malaria. Many of these species were named quina and were used as substitutes of Cinchona spp., the source of quinine. AIM OF THE STUDY: To present data on these bitter species named quina and to discuss their potential as sources of bioactive substances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data about the plants were obtained from a survey of the literature and documents written by early naturalists and clinical doctors living in the 18th and 19th centuries in Brazil. Correlated pharmacological studies were obtained from different scientific databases. RESULTS: A total of 29 species were recorded. The largest number of species belonged to the Rubiaceae family (14), being Remijia ferruginea (A. St.-Hil) DC. the most representative. Strychnos pseudoquina A. St.-Hil. (Loganiaceae), Hortia brasiliana Vand. ex DC. (Rutaceae) and Solanum pseudoquina A. St.-Hil. (Solanaceae) were also frequently mentioned in the historical bibliography. Pharmacological studies have shown the presence of bitter bioactive substances useful to treat digestive disorders and/or with antimalarial activities, in all of the recorded botanic families. CONCLUSION: This study shows that several bitter species named quina were used in the past as substitute of Cinchona spp. and studying these plants can lead to the development of new products.

Morpho-anatomy and chemical profile of native species used as substitutes of quina (Cinchona spp.) in Brazilian traditional medicine. Part I: Polyouratea hexasperma

This research is part of a larger study of the Brazilian species that are commonly referred to as quinas and are usually used as substitute of Cinchona species. The purpose of the present study was the botanical characterization of the whole and powdered stem bark of Polyouratea hexasperma (A. St.-Hil.) Tiegh., Ochnaceae, by morphological and anatomical description, and the analysis of its chemical profile. The external texture of the bark, the whitened pit in the inner bark and the presence of cristarque cells, as well as the shape and arrangement of other lignified cells, are the most important macroscopic and microscopic features for the characterization of the bark. Chlorogenic and cafeic acids were detected in the chemical analysis and can also be used in the identification of the bark.

Amazonian Brazilian medicinal plants described by C.F.P. von Martius in the 19th century.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Information regarding the use of beneficial, native Brazilian plants was compiled by European naturalists during the 19th century. The German botanist C.F.P. von Martius was one of the most prominent naturalists and described the use of several Brazilian plants. AIM OF THE STUDY: To present data on Amazonian medicinal plants documented by von Martius in his books. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on Amazonian medicinal plants were obtained from three books published by von Martius. Traditional information about these plants was translated from Latin and the cited plant species reorganised according to current taxonomic criteria. Correlated pharmacological studies were obtained from different scientific databases. RESULTS: A total of 92 native medicinal species from the Amazon were recorded in von Martius' books. These accounts described 117 different medical uses for these plants. Several parts of the plants were used, including many exudates. The principal use of the species recorded was the treatment of dermatological problems, followed by gastro-intestinal, urinary and respiratory disorders. Few species were recorded as purgatives and febrifuges, a result that differs from the observations of other naturalists. The efficacy of the recorded traditional uses has been confirmed for the few species that have been subjected to laboratory studies. CONCLUSION: The data recorded by the German naturalist von Martius represent a rich, unexplored source of information about the traditional uses of Brazilian plants.

Useful Brazilian plants listed in the field books of the French naturalist Auguste de Saint-Hilaire (1779-1853).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Information regarding the use of beneficial, native Brazilian plants was compiled by European naturalists in the 19th century. The French botanist Auguste de Saint-Hilaire (1779-1853) was one of the most important such naturalists; however, his manuscripts (field books) have not yet been studied, especially in the context of useful plants. AIM OF THE STUDY: To present data documented by Saint-Hilaire in his field book regarding the use of native plants by the Brazilians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on useful plants were obtained from field books (six volumes) deposited in the Muséum national d' Histoire naturelle in Paris, France. The vernacular names of the plants, registered as "N.V." or "Nom Vulg." in the field book, were carefully searched. Traditional information about these plants was translated and organised using a computer. The botanical identification of each plant was determined and updated from the original descriptions and names cited in the field books by A. de Saint-Hilaire. Correlated pharmacological studies were obtained from PubMed. RESULTS: A total of 283 useful plants were recorded from the field books and 165 (58.3%) could be identified to genus or species. Fifty-eight different traditional uses were registered for the identified plants; the most common were as purgatives and febrifuges. Other data recovered were related to edible fruits and plants with interesting sensorial characteristics. For the few species that have been subjected to laboratory studies, the efficacy of the recorded traditional uses was confirmed. CONCLUSION: The data recorded by the French naturalist A. de Saint-Hilaire represent a rich, unexplored source of information regarding the traditional uses of Brazilian plants.

Influence of the preparation method on the low efficacy of multi-herb commercial products: the example of João da Costa e Associações / Influência do método de preparação na baixa eficácia de produtos fitoterápicos: o exemplo do João da Costa e Associações

Native medicinal plants have been used for decades by Brazilian pharmaceutical companies to create commercial products. In this study, we have investigated the herb-combined product João da Costa e Associações® (JCA) commercialized for thirty years to treat dysmenorrhoea. JCA is prepared by decoction of Himatanthus lancifolius (Muell. Arg.) Woodson (Apocynaceae), Chondodendron platyphyllum Miers (Menispermaceae), Gossypium herbaceum L. (Malvaceae), Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) and Echites peltata (Apocynaceae), followed by addition of sugar. The efficacy of JCA was verified by antinociceptive studies. The chemical composition was determined by fingerprint analysis in HPLC/ DAD. A weak inhibition of the second phase of the nociceptive effect induced by formalin indicated an activity similar to those steroids and not-steroids anti-inflammatories. Despite being prepared by decoction of five plants, the fingerprint analysis showed only two peaks. None of them corresponds to the chemical compounds observed in ethanol extracts prepared with the same plant material. We argue that the methods of preparation of the formulas should be considered in studies of multi-herbs products, since they can be the responsible for inefficacy or low activity of such products.

Plantas medicinais nativas do Brasil foram usadas por décadas pelas indústrias farmacêuticas nacionais para criar seus produtos. Neste estudo, foi investigado o produto João da Costa e Associações® (JCA) comercializado por mais de trinta anos para o tratamento de dismenorréia e outros problemas relacionados à saúde da mulher. JCA é preparado pela decocção de Himatanthus lancifolius (Muell. Arg.) Woodson (Apocynaceae), Chondodendron platyphyllum Miers (Menispermaceae), Gossypium herbaceum L. (Malvaceae), Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) e Echites peltata (Apocynaceae), seguido de adição de açúcar. A eficácia de JCA foi verificada por meio da avaliação da atividade antinociceptiva. Já a composição química foi determinada por analises em HPLC/ DAD. Uma fraca inibição da segunda fase da nocicepção foi observada no teste da formalina, indicando uma ação semelhante aos antiinflamatórios esteroidais e não esteroidais. Apesar de ser preparado pela decocção de cinco plantas, a análise no HPLC apresentou somente dois picos, e nenhum deles correspondeu aos componentes observados nos extratos etanólicos preparados com as mesmas plantas. Os resultados sugerem que o método de preparação de JCA promove a perda dos componentes químicos das plantas e interfere consideravelmente na eficácia do produto.

Influence of Brazilian herbal regulations on the use and conservation of native medicinal plants.

For decades, several native medicinal species have been used by the pharmaceutical industry in Brazil to create commercial products. In 1995, the Ministry of Health, following the recommendations of the World Health Organization, established herbal regulations (RDC 17) in order to improve the quality of such products. In fact, only plant species with conclusive results from pharmacological and toxicological studies can be used for creating medicines. In this study, we evaluated the consequences of RDC 17 on the use and conservation of native medicinal plants by comparing the plant material used by six companies in 1995/1996 and 10 years later (2005/2006). Eighty-three different species were used in 1995/1996, 50 of them native (60.2%), 16 exotic (19.3%), and 17 imported (20.5%). In 2005/2006, 44 species were used by the companies and only 19 (43.2%) were native. The category of plant material that saw the largest decrease in use was roots, and in 2005/2006 leaves were more used. The study shows a strong reduction in the collection of native species signalizing the importance of herbal regulations on their conservation. It also points to the need for pharmacological and toxicological studies of the Brazilian native medicinal flora, as well as studies on their ecology and conservation.

Traditional uses of American plant species from the 1st edition of Brazilian Official Pharmacopoeia / Usos tradicionais das plantas americanas presentes na 1ª Edição da Farmacopéia Brasileira

The first edition of the Brazilian Official Pharmacopoeia (FBRAS), published in 1929, is a rich source of information about American medicinal plants, since it lists species used in both traditional and conventional medicine. In this study, we have performed a survey of the traditional uses of plants described in eighty-seven Monographs from the FBRAS in twenty bibliographies written from the 19th century to the 1970s. Eighty-six different traditional uses are described in three or more books; some of them were cited in ten or more books, illustrating their widespread use and importance in medicine. The species from the first edition of the FBRAS have a long tradition of medical utility, which is confirmed by historical records. In surveying these medically relevant species, we hope to encourage policy makers and the scientific public as a whole to engage in a strong debate in an attempt to improve and facilitate the pharmacological study of these species.

A 1ª Edição da Farmacopéia Brasileira, publicada em 1929, é uma rica fonte de informação sobre as plantas medicinais nativas das Américas, uma vez que ela lista as espécies usadas na medicina tradicional e oficial da época. Neste estudo, foi feita uma extensa revisão sobre os usos tradicionais de plantas descritas em oitenta e sete Monografias presentes na FBRAS 1ª Edição, em vinte livros publicados do século 19 até a década de 1970. Oitenta e seis diferentes usos medicinais foram citados e três ou mais livros; mesmos usos foram descritos em dez ou mais referências, mostrando seu amplo emprego e importância como medicamento. Os resultados mostram que as espécies nativas presentes na 1ª Edição da FBRAS têm longa tradição em uso, confirmado pelos dados históricos. É necessário, portanto, que estudos farmacológicos com essas plantas sejam estimulados, como forma de promover seu melhor aproveitamento.