Non-target molecular network and putative genes of flavonoid biosynthesis in Erythrina velutina Willd., a Brazilian semiarid native woody plant.

Erythrina velutina is a Brazilian native tree of the Caatinga (a unique semiarid biome). It is widely used in traditional medicine showing anti-inflammatory and central nervous system modulating activities. The species is a rich source of specialized metabolites, mostly alkaloids and flavonoids. To date, genomic information, biosynthesis, and regulation of flavonoids remain unknown in this woody plant. As part of a larger ongoing research goal to better understand specialized metabolism in plants inhabiting the harsh conditions of the Caatinga, the present study focused on this important class of bioactive phenolics. Leaves and seeds of plants growing in their natural habitat had their metabolic and proteomic profiles analyzed and integrated with transcriptome data. As a result, 96 metabolites (including 43 flavonoids) were annotated. Transcripts of the flavonoid pathway totaled 27, of which EvCHI, EvCHR, EvCHS, EvCYP75A and EvCYP75B1 were identified as putative main targets for modulating the accumulation of these metabolites. The highest correspondence of mRNA vs. protein was observed in the differentially expressed transcripts. In addition, 394 candidate transcripts encoding for transcription factors distributed among the bHLH, ERF, and MYB families were annotated. Based on interaction network analyses, several putative genes of the flavonoid pathway and transcription factors were related, particularly TFs of the MYB family. Expression patterns of transcripts involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and those involved in responses to biotic and abiotic stresses were discussed in detail. Overall, these findings provide a base for the understanding of molecular and metabolic responses in this medicinally important species. Moreover, the identification of key regulatory targets for future studies aiming at bioactive metabolite production will be facilitated.

Erythrina velutina Willd. alkaloids: Piecing biosynthesis together from transcriptome analysis and metabolite profiling of seeds and leaves.

Introduction: Natural products of pharmaceutical interest often do not reach the drug market due to the associated low yields and difficult extraction. Knowledge of biosynthetic pathways is a key element in the development of biotechnological strategies for plant specialized metabolite production. Erythrina species are mainly used as central nervous system depressants in folk medicine and are important sources of bioactive tetracyclic benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs), which can act on several pathology-related biological targets. Objectives: In this sense, in an unprecedented approach used with a non-model Fabaceae species grown in its unique arid natural habitat, a combined transcriptome and metabolome analyses (seeds and leaves) is presented. Methods: The Next Generation Sequencing-based transcriptome (de novo RNA sequencing) was carried out in a NextSeq 500 platform. Regarding metabolite profiling, the High-resolution Liquid Chromatography was coupled to DAD and a micrOTOF-QII mass spectrometer by using electrospray ionization (ESI) and Time of Flight (TOF) analyzer. The tandem MS/MS data were processed and analyzed through Molecular Networking approach. Results: This detailed macro and micromolecular approach applied to seeds and leaves of E. velutina revealed 42 alkaloids, several of them unique. Based on the combined evidence, 24 gene candidates were put together in a putative pathway leading to the singular alkaloid diversity of this species. Conclusion: Overall, these results could contribute by indicating potential biotechnological targets for modulation of erythrina alkaloids biosynthesis as well as improve molecular databases with omic data from a non-model medicinal plant, and reveal an interesting chemical diversity of Erythrina BIA harvested in Caatinga.

Standardized extract of Erythrina velutina Willd. attenuates schizophrenia-Like behaviours and oxidative parameters in experimental animal models.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of the standardized extract from the leaves of Erythrina velutina in behavioural and oxidative parameters in the ketamine-induced schizophrenia model. METHODS: Mice received ketamine (KET) or saline for 7 days. From 8th to 14th day, the animals received Erythrine (Eryt) (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg) or olanzapine (Olanz), 1 h after KET administration. At 14th day, 30 min after the last administration of KET, the open-field and pre-pulse inhibition (PPI) tests were performed. Then, the animals were sacrificed and the prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus (HC) and striatum (ST) were dissected for the oxidative tests. KEY FINDINGS: Ketamine increased spontaneous locomotor activity and grooming. KET decreased the PPI, which was reversed by combining it with Eryt or olanzapine. KET decreased GSH concentration in PFC and ST this was reversed by Eryt. KET increased MDA concentration in PFC and HC this was reversed by Eryt. Eryt and Olanzapine reduced MDA concentration in ST when compared to KET group. Nitrite concentration was reduced by administration of KET in the PFC. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the standardized extract of E. velutina can prevent behavioural symptoms and oxidative stress induced by repeated doses of KET.

Ethanolic extract of Erythrina velutina Willd ameliorate schizophrenia-like behavior induced by ketamine in mice.

Background Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder, characterized by positive, negative and cognitive symptoms. In general, several plants have shown activity in diseases related to the central nervous system (e.g., Erythrina velutina (EEEV), also known as "mulungu"). For this reason, we aimed to investigate the effects of standardized ethanol extract obtained from the stem bark of EEEV on the schizophrenia-like behaviors induced by ketamine (KET) administration. Methods Swiss mice were treated with KET (20 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline for 14 days. In addition, from 8th to 14th days, saline, EEEV (200 or 400 mg/kg, p.o.) or olanzapine (OLAN 2 mg/kg, p.o.) were associated to the protocol. On the 14th day of treatment, schizophrenia-like symptoms were evaluated by the prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex (PPI), locomotor activity evaluated by the open field test (OFT), spatial recognition memory evaluated by the Y-maze task and social interaction test (SIT). Results KET has caused deficits in PPI, and it has also has caused hyperlocomotion in OFT and deficits in SIT as compared to control. EEEV in both doses used, reversed behavioral changes induced by KET, likewise results obtained with the administration of OLAN. Conclusions Taken together, the results demonstrate that the standard extract of EEEV was able to revert schizophrenia-like symptoms, due to the administration in repeated doses of ketamine. Thus, our findings lead to a new perspective for the use of EEEV an interesting alternative for drug discovery in schizophrenia.

Pharmacognostical Analysis and Protective Effect of Standardized Extract and Rizonic Acid from Erythrina velutina against 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y Cells.

BACKGROUND: Erythrina velutina is a tree common in the northeast of Brazil extensively used by traditional medicine for the treatment of central nervous system disorders. OBJECTIVE: To develop a standardized ethanol extract of E. velutina (EEEV) and to investigate the neuroprotective potential of the extract and rizonic acid (RA) from E. velutina on neuronal cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The plant drug of E. velutina previously characterized was used for the production of EEEV. Three methods were evaluated in order to obtain an extract with higher content of phenols. The neuroprotective effect of standardized EEEV (HPLC-PDA) and RA was investigated on SH-SY5Y cell exposure to the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). RESULTS: The powder of the plant drug was classified as moderately coarse and several quality control parameters were determined. EEEV produced by percolation gave the highest phenol content when related to others extractive methods, and its HPLC-PDA analysis allowed to identify four flavonoids and RA, some reported for the first time for the species. EEEV and RA reduced significantly the neurotoxicity induced by 6-OHDA in SH-SY5Y cells determined by the MTT assay and the nitrite concentration. EEEV also showed a free radical scavenging activity. CONCLUSION: This is the first pharmacological study about E. velutina which used a controlled standardized extract since the preparation of the herbal drug. This extract and RA, acting as an antioxidant, presents a neuroprotective effect suggesting that they have potential for future development as a therapeutic agent in neurodegenerative disease as Parkinson. SUMMARY: The powder of Erythrina velutina was classified as moderately coarse and several quality-control parameters were determined.Ethanolic extract from E. velutina (EEEV) produced by percolation gave the highest phenol content when related to others extractive methods and its HPLC-PDA analysis of EEEV allowed to identify four flavonoids and rizonic acid (RA), some reported for the first time for the species.The EEEV and RA reduced significantly the neurotoxicity induced by 6-OHDA in SH-SY5Y cells determined by the MTT assay and the nitrite concentration.The EEEV also showed a free radical scavenging activity. Abbreviations used: ±: More or less, %: Percentage, °C: Degree Celsius, <: Less than, µg: Microgram, µL: Microliter, µM: Micromol, [1D] MNR: One-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, [2D] MNR:Two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, 6-OHDA: [6-] Hydroxydopamine. Abs: Absorbance, CFU: Colony forming units, CH2Cl2: Dichloromethane, CHCl3: Chloroform cmCentimeter, DMEM/F12: Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium: Nutrient Mixture F-12. DMSO: Dimethyl sulfoxide, DPPH: 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, EAG: Gallic acid equivalents, EEEV: Ethanolic extract of Erythrina velutina, EtOAc: Ethyl acetate, g: Gram, h: Hour, H2O: Water, HPLC: High-performance liquid chromatography, H REIMS: Hydrogen rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry, Kg: Kilogram M: Molar, m: Metro, MeOH: Methanol, mg: Milligram, min: Minute, mL: Milliliter, mm: Millimeter, MTT: Bromide 3 [4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl] -2,5-diphenyltetrazolium, N: Normal, NBT: Nitroblue tetrazolium, nm: Nanometer, PDA: Photodiode array detector, TPC: Total polyphenol content, RA: Rizonic acid, RP: Reverse phase, SOD: Superoxide dismutase, v/v: Volume per volume, Vs: Versus W: Watts.

Erythrina mulungu Mart. ex Benth e Erythrina velutina Willd: Aspectos farmacológicos e perspectiva antroposófica de plantas brasileiras / Erythrina mulungu Mart. ex Benth and Erythrina velutina Willd: Pharmacological aspects and anthroposophic view of these Brazilian plants

As plantas brasileiras Erythrina mulungu Mart. ex Benth e Erythrina velutina Willd. têm sido utilizadas na medicina popular como sedativas e calmantes naturais para estresse, ansiedade, depressão. São plantas angiospermas, que pertencem à família das leguminosas (Fabaceae/Leguminosae) e subfamília papilionácea (Papilionaceae). Em geral são utilizados extratos das cascas do caule, frutos e folhas da E. velutina e extratos das folhas e flores da E. mulungu. Representam a principal fonte de alcaloides tetracíclicos de atividade similar ao curare, responsáveis por causar paralisia muscular. Resultados de diversos trabalhos mostraram que os alcaloides eritrartina, eritravina, 11-hidroxi-eritravina e os derivados eritrínicos são os principais responsáveis pelo efeito ansiolítico. Através de um levantamento bibliográfico sobre as plantas E. velutina e E. mulungu, no qual as propriedades terapêuticas foram avaliadas em diversos estudos pré-clínicos, observamos atividade ansiolítica com efeitos semelhante aos efeitos dos benzodiazepínicos; atividade sobre o sistema nervoso central com alteração neurotransmissora dos receptores GABA, além de ação anticonvulsivante, sedativa e amnésica; atividade antibacteriana e atividade antinociceptiva. Os aspectos antroposóficos da E. velutina e da E. mulungu apontam para as propriedades da família das leguminosas e da subfamília papilionácea. Sua principal característica é a presença do nitrogênio e o seu princípio astral. As plantas possuem apenas organização física e vital (ou etérica). A ação do anímico (ou astral) ocorre sempre de fora para dentro na planta. Com o surgimento das flores, as plantas se aproximaram do reino animal, entrando em contato com forças astrais que deveriam permanecer no exterior das plantas. Se essa astralidade penetrar na planta, isso se traduz na alteração de forma, de cor, no surgimento de substâncias, como por exemplo, os alcaloides, como tentativa da planta de impedir um processo de "animalização". Portanto, uma planta rica em alcaloides, possui propriedades pertencentes ao reino animal, e quando ingerida por seres humanos, provoca alteração da organização anímica. Assim, as plantas E. velutina e E. mulungu, ricas em alcaloides, promovem paralisia flácida no ser humano, devido à retirada da astralidade da dinâmica neuromuscular, uma vez que esta é responsável pelo tônus muscular e consciência sensorial no organismo. Essa ação deslocadora da organização anímica é responsável pelo efeito ansiolítico e sedativo em casos de distúrbios de ansiedade, estresse, tensão e insônia.(AU)

The Brazilian plants Erythrina mulungu Mart. ex Benth and Erythrina velutina Willd. have been used by the popular medicine as natural sedative and tranquilizing agent for stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia. They are angiosperm plants, which belong to the pea family (Fabaceae/Leguminosae) and the Papilionaceae subfamily. In general, the parts used are stem bark, fruits and leaves (E. velutina), and leaves and inflorescences (E. mulungu). These plants represent the main source of tetracyclic alkaloids and they have curare-like activity, causing muscular paralysis. The result of several studies demonstrated that the alkaloids erythrartin, erythravine, 11-hydroxy-erythravine and the erythrin derivatives are mainly responsible for the anxiolytic effect. After a literature review, in which the therapeutic properties of E. velutina and E. mulungu were analyzed in several preclinical studies, we observed the following: anxiolytic activity with benzodiazepine-like effects; central nervous system activity with alteration of GABA receptors, besides anticonvulsant, sedative and amnesic action; antibacterial activity and antinociceptive activity. The E. velutina and E. mulungu's anthroposophic aspects point to the properties of the pea family and the papilionaceous subfamily. The nitrogen and the astral principle are the main characteristics of these plants. Normally, plants have only physical and vital organization. However, with the flowering process, these plants get closer to the animal kingdom, getting in touch with astral forces that should remain in the external parts of the plants. If the astral forces penetrate into the plant, it will produce poison substances (alkaloids) as an attempt to avoid an "animalization" process. Therefore, an alkaloidrich plant has properties that belong to the animal sphere, and when it is used as medicine by humans, it modifies the soul organization. Thus, E. velutina and E. mulungu, which are rich in alkaloids, cause flaccid paralysis in humans due to the astrality's removal from neuromuscular dynamics, once it is responsible for muscle tone and sensory awareness in the body. This dislocated action of the soul organization is responsible for the anxiolytic and sedative effects in cases of anxiety, stress, tension and insomnia.(AU)

Modelagem matemática da secagem de cascas de mulungu / Mathematical modeling of the drying of husks mulungu

O Erythrina velutina, conhecido popularmente como mulungu, vem sendo utilizado no Nordeste brasileiro devido suas propriedades medicinais. Suas cascas, após extração da árvore, apresentam elevado teor de água necessitando de secagem para atender às necessidades da indústria farmacêutica de fitoterápicos. Objetivou-se com este trabalho secar cascas de mulungu nas temperaturas de 40, 50, 60 e 70 °C e ajustar diferentes modelos matemáticos aos dados da cinética de secagem. Constatou-se que as cascas de mulungu apresentaram elevados tempos de secagem, com tempos variando de aproximadamente 35 h para a temperatura de 40 °C e 14 h para a temperatura de 70 °C. O aumento da temperatura de desidratação promoveu elevação das taxas de secagem, atingindo valor superior a 9 × 10-3 kg kg.min-1 à 70 °C no início da secagem, decrescendo posteriormente com o decorrer do processo. Dentre os modelos matemáticos avaliados, o de Midilli foi o que melhor se ajustou aos dados experimentais da secagem de cascas de mulungu, apresentando os maiores valores de coeficientes de determinação (R2), baixos desvios quadráticos médios (DQM) e tendência aleatória de distribuição dos resíduos.

The Erythrina velutina, popularly known as mulungu, are being used in northeastern Brazil because of its medicinal properties. Their peel after extraction of the tree, have a high water content requiring drying to meet the needs of the pharmaceutical industry of herbal medicines. The objective of this work was to dry peels mulungu at the temperatures of 40, 50, 60 and 70 °C and adjust different mathematical models the drying kinetics data. It was found that to peel mulungu presented drying high time, with times ranging from about 35 h to a temperature of 40 °C and for 14 h at 70 °C. Increasing the temperature of dehydration increased of the drying rate, reaching a value greater than 9 × 10-3 kg kg.min-1 to 70 °C at the start of drying, falling further to the process. Among the mathematical models evaluated, the Midilli was the best fit to the experimental data of drying of peels of mulungu, with higher values of coefficients of determination (R2), lower mean squared deviations (MSD) and random distribution of trend residues.

Investigation of protective effects of Erythrina velutina extract against MMS induced damages in the root meristem cells of Allium cepa

Erythrina velutina Willd., Fabaceae, is a medicinal plant that can be found in the tropics and subtropics, including in the semi-arid northeastern Brazil. It is commonly used in folk medicine to treat anxiety, agitation and insomnia. E. velutina has been known to present analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities, however, it is unknown if this plant present a protective effect on DNA. We assessed the antigenotoxic effect of E. velutina against the genotoxic effects induced by MMS in the root meristem cells of Allium cepa. Three concentrations of the aqueous extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/L) of this medicinal plant were used in three different types of treatment (pre-, post- and simultaneous). The effects of the extracts on the root meristem cells of A. cepa were analyzed at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. Protective effects were observed at higher concentrations in pre-treatment and in simultaneous treatment. The results suggest that E. velutina may present antigenotoxic properties and demonstrate its chemopreventive potential.

Anatomy of leaf and stem of Erythrina velutina

Erythrina velutina Willd., Fabaceae, known as "mulungu", is a tree of tropical regions, as northeastern Brazil. Its bark is used in folk medicine as tranquilizer, sedative and insomnia. This study aimed to characterize the stem and leaf anatomy and to provide subsidies to quality control of the plant drug due to its wide use in folk medicine as well as its differentiation from other species with the same popular name. Samples were collected at Cuité, in Paraíba State, Brazil, fixed in FAA50, semipermanent slides were made, following usual procedures in plant anatomy. The stem shows a cylindrical contour, covered by a uniseriate epidermis covered by a thickened cuticle. It shows claviform glandular and branched trichomes with uniseriate stalk. Secretory cavities are into the phloem. The leaf epidermis has branched and glandular trichomes and anisocytic and paracytic stomata, on both sides, with predominance of branched trichomes and stomata on abaxial surface. Secretory cavities in stem and leaf, types of trichomes and stomata, its location and distribution constitute diagnostic characters for this specie. The structural characterization of the stem and leaf allows its distinction from other ones of this genus, ensuring safety for commercial pharmacological uses, allowing certification of the authenticity of raw material.

Anti-inflammatory activities of the hydroalcoholic extracts from Erythrina velutina and E. mulungu in mice

This work studied the anti-inflammatory activities of the hydroalcoholic extracts (HAEs) from Erythrina velutina Willd. (Ev) and E. mulungu Mart. ex Benth. (Em) in the carrageenan- and dextran-induced mice hind paw edema models. These medicinal plants belonging to the Fabaceae family are used in some Brazilian communities to treat pain, inflammation, insomnia and disorders of the central nervous system. In the present work, the extracts were administered orally in male mice at the doses of 200 or 400 mg/kg. In the carrageenan-induced test, only Em showed anti-inflammatory activity, decreasing the paw edema, at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. No effect was observed with Ev in this model. On the other hand, in the dextran model, Ev demonstrated anti-inflammatory effect, showing decrease of the paw edema at the 1, 2, 3, 4 and 24th h. Em (200 or 400 mg/kg) presented anti-inflammatory effect at the 2, 3 and 4th h after administration of dextran, as compared to control. In conclusion, the work showed that Ev and Em present anti-edematous actions, which possibly occurs by distinct mechanisms. While Ev seems to interfere especially in inflammatory processes in which mast cells have an important role, Em exerts greater activity in the inflammatory process that depends mainly on polymorphonuclear leucocytes. However, further studies are needed to determine the exact mechanism of action of the species investigated.

Efeito de diferentes substratos na emergência e vigor de plântulas de mulungú / Effect of different substrates for emergency and vigor of coral tree seedlings

O mulungu (Erythrina velutina Willd.) é uma árvore de grande resistência à seca, de crescimento rápido e usado na medicina popular como calmante. Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar os efeitos de diferentes substratos na emergência e vigor de mulungu. O delineamento usado foi inteiramente casualizado com 10 tratamentos e quatro repetições de 25 sementes. Os tratamentos foram: areia, vermiculita, hortimix® , areia + vermiculita (1:1), areia + vermiculita (2:1), areia + hortimix® (1:1), areia + hortimix® (2:1), vermiculita + hortimix® (1:1), vermiculita + hortimix® (2:1), areia + vermiculita + hortimix® (1:1:1). Foram avaliadas as características emergência de plântula, índice de velocidade de emergência, altura de plântulas, número de folhas, área foliar, massa da matéria seca da plântula e comprimento da raiz. Não houve diferença significativa para a percentagem e índice de velocidade de emergência. O substrato areia proporcionou os menores valores para todas as características. Nas combinações de dois ou três substratos houve maior comprimento de raiz e da parte aérea. O uso da mistura de três substratos areia + vermiculita + hortimix® (1:1:1) proporciona mudas de E. velutina mais desenvolvidas e de melhor qualidade. Substratos com dois componentes na mistura apresentam mudas menos desenvolvidas e substratos com apenas um componente apresentam mudas com menor crescimento.

The coral tree (Erythrina velutina Willd.) is a large tree resistance to drought, rapid growth and used in folk medicine as sedative. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different substrates in the emergence and vigor of the coral tree. The trial was completely randomized design with 10 treatments and four replications of 25 seeds. The treatments were: sand, vermiculite, hortimix®, sand, vermiculite (1:1), sand + vermiculite (2:1), sand + hortimix® (1:1), sand + hortimix® (2:1), hortimix® + vermiculite (1:1), hortimix® + vermiculite (2:1), sand + vermiculite + hortimix® (1:1:1). Characteristics were evaluated for seedling emergence, emergence rate index, seedling height, leaf number, leaf area, dry matter and seedling root length. There was no significant difference in percentage and emergence speed index. The sand substrate gave the lowest values for all characteristics. In combinations of two or three substrates was greater root length and shoot. The use of mixture of three substrates sand, vermiculite hortimix® (1:1:1) provides seedlings of E. velutina more developed and better. Substrates with two components in the mixture have less developed seedlings and substrates with only one component present seedlings with lower growth.

Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of Erythrina velutina Willd., Fabaceae, on the root meristem cells of Allium cepa

The effects of the decoction of Erythrina velutina Willd., Fabaceae, were investigated using the root meristem cells of Allium cepa L., Amaryllidaceae. Ten concentrations of the aqueous extract (0.125 to 1.25 percent) of this medicinal plant were analyzed at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. All concentrations showed root growth inhibition after 96 h treatment. Although there were no significant differences between the mitotic indexes of any concentration and the control, there were changes in the frequencies of cell stages at three different concentrations. Additionally, the presence of five different cells abnormalities was recorded: chromosome bridging, lagging chromosomes, chromosome fragments, disturbed metaphase and disturbed anaphase. These results suggest inhibitory and genotoxic activity of the decoction of E. velutina on Allium cepa.

Testes de vigor na avaliação da qualidade fisiológica de sementes Erythrina velutina Willd. (FABACEAE - PAPILIONOIDEAE) / Vigor tests in the evaluation of physiological quality of Erythrina velutina Willd. (FABACEAE- PAPILIONOIDEAE) seeds

A aplicação de testes de vigor de sementes tem sido fundamental para determinação da qualidade fisiológica de forma rápida e eficaz, destacando-se, os testes baseados no desempenho das plântulas como uma das opções disponíveis. Conduziu-se este trabalho, com o objetivo de avaliar a eficiência de testes de vigor para determinação da qualidade fisiológica de sementes de Erythrina velutina. Determinou-se em cinco lotes de sementes de E. velutina o teor de água e o peso de mil sementes e realizou-se os testes de germinação, emergência em campo, índice de velocidade de germinação e de emergência, comprimento e massa seca de plântulas do laboratório e campo. Os testes de campo (emergência de plântulas, índice de velocidade de emergência de plântulas e massa seca da parte aérea das plântulas) são eficientes na separação dos lotes de sementes de E. velutina em níveis de vigor.

The application of vigor tests of seeds has been fundamental as a fast and efficient form of determination of physiological seed quality, highlighting the tests based on the performance of seedlings as one of the available options. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of different vigor tests for the determination of the physiologic quality of Erythrina velutina seeds. In five lots of E. velutina seeds, water content and seed weight were determined. Tests for germination were performed for field seedling emergence, speed germination and emergence index, and length and dry matter weight of seedlings from both the laboratory and from the field. Field tests (seedling emergence, speed emergence index, and dry matter weight of the aerial part of seedlings) are efficient in the separation of the seed lots of E. velutina in vigor levels.

Toxicidade aguda do extrato aquoso de folhas de Erythrina velutina em animais experimentais / Acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of Erythrina velutina leaves in experimental animals

Este trabalho teve como objetivo a avaliação da toxicidade aguda do extrato aquoso de folhas de Erythrina velutina, espécie vegetal muito usada na medicina popular principalmente como tranqüilizante. O protocolo experimental utilizado seguiu o Guia para a Realização de Estudos de Toxicidade Pré-clínica de Fitoterápicos da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa, 2004). Ratos Wistar adultos foram tratados por via oral com a dose limite de 5 g/kg do extrato e observados por 14 dias consecutivos. Nenhum animal veio a óbito e nenhum sinal de toxicidade foi detectado nas observações comportamentais ou nas autópsias, indicando uma razoável atoxicidade do extrato.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of Erythrina velutina leaves, which is frequently used in folk medicine as a tranquilizer. The experimental design followed the Guide for Preclinical Toxicity Studies of Herbal Medicines from the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa, 2004). Adult Wistar rats were treated per os with the limit dose of 5g/kg of the extract and then observed for 14 consecutive days. No animals died and no signs of toxicity were detected either during the behavioral observations or at the autopsies, what indicates a reasonable lack of toxicity for the extract.

Estudo preliminar da atividade antibacteriana das cascas de Erythrina velutina Willd., Fabaceae (Leguminosae) / Preliminary study of the antibacterial activity of Erythrina velutina Willd. Fabaceae (Leguminosae) bark

A Erythrina velutina é popularmente conhecida como suinã, mulungu, corticeira, mulungu-da-catinga dentre outros. Das várias espécies distribuídas pelo mundo cerca de doze estão no Brasil. A casca é utilizada, principalmente no nordeste brasileiro, pelas propriedades sudorífica, calmante, emoliente, peitoral, anestésica local e outras. Considerando-se que não existem estudos sobre o potencial microbiológico das cascas de Erythrina velutina este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliá-lo preliminarmente contra oito bactérias patogênicas. Foram utilizados os métodos de difusão em disco e concentração inibitória mínima para o extrato etanólico bruto e difusão em disco para a fração hexano. A atividade contra o Staphylococcus aureus e Streptococcus pyogenes foi evidenciada para ambas as amostras. A viabilidade de futuras pesquisas com outras frações e substâncias isoladas na busca de novas alternativas, visando uma terapêutica racional a partir de fontes naturais foi apontada pelos resultados.

Erythrina velutina is popularly known as suinã, mulungu, corticeira, mulungu-da-catinga among others. Of the several species spread around the world about twelve are found in Brazil. Mainly in the Brazilian northeast the bark is used due to its sudorific, sedative, emollient, pectoral and topical anesthetic properties. Considering that there are no studies about the antibacterial potential of Erythrina velutina, this research aimed at evaluating, at least preliminarily, bark activity against eight pathogenic bacteria. The crude ethanol extract was tested by the disk diffusion method and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the hexane fraction by the disk diffusion method. Both samples demonstrated activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. The results pointed to the viability of future research on other fractions and substances isolated from Erythrina velutina in search for new rational therapeutic alternatives based on natural sources.

Little dragons prefer flowers to maidens: a lizard that laps nectar and pollinates trees

Lizards rarely visit and pollinate flowers, the few recent records being mostly restricted to island habitats. We report here on the Noronha skink (Euprepis atlanticus) seeking nectar in the flowers of the leguminous mulungu tree (Erythrina velutina) at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, off northeast Brazil. The mulungu tree blooms during the dry season, and each flower secretes copious and diluted nectar throughout the day. The Noronha skink climbs up to the inflorescences and laps the nectar accumulated in the flowers' base. While exploiting the flowers and crawling over the inflorescences, the body parts of the skink contact the anthers and stigmas and pollen adheres to the lizard's scales. The lizard visits inflorescences from the same and different trees, which renders it a potential pollinator. As the mulungu tree blooms during the dry season and the island has little or no natural freshwater supply during drought periods, we suggest that the Noronha skink seeks flower nectar both for its energetic, diluted sugars and the water content.

Lagartos raramente visitam e polinizam flores, os poucos registros estando restritos a ambientes insulares. Registramos aqui a mabuia de Noronha (Euprepis atlanticus) buscando néctar nas flores da árvore leguminosa mulungu (Erythrina velutina), no Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha ao largo da costa Nordeste do Brasil. O mulungu floresce na época seca, ao longo de quatro meses. As flores produzem néctar muito diluído e abundante, ao longo do dia todo. A mabuia percorre as inflorescências, lambendo o néctar acumulado na base da flor. Enquanto rasteja sobre as inflorescências da mesma ou outra árvore, contata as anteras e os estigmas e o pólen fica aderido ao seu corpo, o que torna a mabuia um polinizador potencial. Como o mulungu floresce durante a época seca, período em que a água é muito escassa na ilha, sugerimos que a mabuia visita as flores tanto pelos açúcares diluídos e energéticos, como pela água contida no néctar.