Increased acute blood flow induced by the aqueous extract of Euterpe oleracea Mart. fruit pulp in rats in vivo is not related to the direct activation of endothelial cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Scientific evidence supports the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-lipidemic properties of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açaí), which all converge to reduce cardiovascular risks. Macerating the pulp of açaí fruit produces a viscous aqueous extract (AE) rich in flavonoids that is commonly used in food production. In addition to nutritional aspects, cardiovascular benefits are attributed to AE by traditional medicine. AIM OF THE STUDY: Evaluation of AE impact on blood flow in vivo in rats and investigation of the mechanism underlying this response in vitro in rat endothelial cells (RECs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the measurement of acute blood flow, a perivascular ultrasound probe was used in Wistar rats. The in vitro assays employed REC to evaluate: concentration (1-1000 µg/mL) and time response (2-180 min) of AE in MTT cell viability assays; nitric oxide (NO) levels measurement and intracellular calcium handling using DAF-2DA and Fluo-4-AM, respectively; cellular biopterin content by HPLC; activation of Akt pathway using western blot analysis. For the chemical analyses of AE, stock solutions of the standards (+)catechin and quercetin were used for obtaining linear calibration curves. Identification and quantification of flavonoids in AE were based on comparisons with the retention times, increase in peak area determine by co-injection of AE with standards, UV-Vis scan and standard curves of known spectra. Results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and data were analyzed using ANOVA followed by Tukey's post-test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Although in vivo data have revealed the participation of NO in increasing of acute blood flow on abdominal aorta, in vitro analysis demonstrated that vasodilatation AE-induced is not related to its direct action on endothelial cells inducing eNOS activation. Besides, we demonstrated in isolated endothelial cells that highest concentrations of AE caused a reduction in NO levels, effect that could be partly justified by inhibition of Akt phosphorylation which, in turn, could decrease NOS activation. The involvement of cell transduction pathways involving variations in intracellular calcium and biopterins concentration were discarded. The participation of catechin and quercetin, identified in AE, was postulated to induce the responses of AE in REC. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the responses in vitro, vasodilation prevailed in vivo, probably by activating intermediate pathways, validating a potential beneficial effect of AE in reducing cardiovascular risks.

Effects of the aqueous extract of Pimpinella anisum L. seeds on exploratory activity and emotional behavior in rats using the open field and elevated plus maze tests.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Pimpinella anisum L. is considered one of the first plants used for medicinal purposes. Pharmacological actions of the plant on the central nervous system have been proven but previous analyses have focused on anticonvulsant and neuroprotective actions. In traditional medicine worldwide, the use of Pimpinella is commonly recommended as a tranquilizer, although no scientific information supporting this use is available. Therefore, it was decided to investigate the central actions of the plant to observe behavioral responses, with an emphasis on the emotional component. AIM OF STUDY: To investigate the effects of the aqueous extract of Pimpinella seeds on exploratory activity and emotional behavior in rats using the open field and elevated plus maze tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seeds of Pimpinella were extracted with distilled water, concentrated and freeze-dried yielding the aqueous extract(AE). Rats were divided into four groups: control(water 5 mL/kg, p.o.) and AE 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg, p.o. Individual observations were performed in an open field and the parameters locomotor activity, rearing, grooming and defecation were recorded. In elevated plus maze test, rats were divided into four groups: control(water 5 mL/kg, p.o.) and AE 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg, p.o. The parameters arm entries, total time spent in open and closed arms; and total number of arrivals at the end of an open or closed arm were recorded for each rat. RESULTS: Among the parameters assessed with the open field test, only rearing was reduced in the AE 0.5 g/kg group. When AE 1.0 g/kg was administered, only the initiation of exploratory activity was delayed, without impairing the animals' general activity. The highest dose of AE (2.0 g/kg) induced a reduction in the animals' habituation during the open field test within the same session, as evidenced by the maintenance of high levels of peripheral locomotion and rearing throughout the test. On the elevated plus maze test, no alterations were observed in the responses of the animals relative to controls for all doses tested. CONCLUSION: These results failed to support anxiety-related central action of the aqueous extract of Pimpinella seeds, invalidating popular beliefs regarding a tranquilizing effect. However, a habituation-related central action of the extract was demonstrated, suggesting action of bioactive compounds on central learning-related areas. The characterization of effects that may interfere with cognitive processes reinforces caution regarding indiscriminate consumption of the plant, especially in individuals with deficits, such as Alzheimer's Disease patients.

Crescimento e produção de antúrio cultivado sob diferentes malhas de sombreamento / Growth and yield of anthurium under different shading screens

O uso de malhas ou filmes plásticos de diferente naturezas ou cores pode alterar a qualidade espectral da radiação e, como consequência, o crescimento e a produção de uma cultura vegetal. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar aspectos do crescimento e da produção de Anthurium andraeanum 'Apalai' sob diferentes malhas de sombreamento. Para tal, mudas micropropagadas foram plantadas em canteiros sob quatro malhas com 70% de sombreamento (azul, vermelha, preta e termo-refletora). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e quatro repetições de quatro plantas úteis por parcela. As avaliações foram realizadas durante 12 meses, sendo iniciadas após a produção de hastes florais comercializáveis. A malha preta se sobressaiu em relação às demais, proporcionando a melhor condição para crescimento e produção do antúrio, bem como as maiores dimensões da haste floral, que são consideradas atributos de qualidade para flor de corte.

The use of screen or plastic films of different nature or color can change the quality of spectral radiation, and as consequence the growth and production of a crop. The objective of the present research was to evaluate the growth and yield of Anthurium andraeanum 'Apalai' under different shading screens. For developing such research, micropopageted seedlings were planted in beds under four screens with 70% shading (blue, red, black and thermo-reflective). The experimental design was completely randomized, with four treatments and four repetitions. The assessments were conducted for 12 months, started after the production of flower stalks marketable. The black screen gave the best results, providing the best conditions for growth and production of anthurium, and the larger dimensions flowers stem, that are considered attributes of quality to cut flower.

Influência do substrato e do tipo de fertilizante na aclimatação de mudas de bananeira 'Prata-Anã' / Influence of substrate and fertilizer type on the acclimatization of 'Prata-Anã' banana plantlets

Objetivando-se avaliar a influência do substrato e tipo de fertilizante na aclimatação de mudas de bananeira ‘Prata-Anã’, provenientes de micropropagação, foi instalado um experimento em blocos casualizados, no esquema fatorial 5 x 3, com quatro repetições. Os substratos utilizados foram: S1 - Terra de subsolo + casca de arroz carbonizada + substrato comercial Rendimax Floreira®; S2 - Terra de subsolo + casca de arroz carbonizada + composto orgânico Organifol®; S3 - Terra de subsolo + casca de arroz carbonizada + composto orgânico Organifol® 9% SiO; S4 - substrato comercial Technes Vivatto®; S5 - Areia grossa + casca de arroz carbonizada + Rendimax Floreira®, todos na proporção 1:1:1 (v/v/v). Os fertilizantes utilizados foram: SF - sem fertilizante; FLL - fertilizante de liberação lenta, 14-14-14 (5,0 kg m-3) misturado ao substrato; e FLN - fertilizante de liberação normal, 14-14-14 (5,0 kg m-3) aplicado em cobertura, 30 dias após o plantio. As mudas foram plantadas em sacos de polietileno quando apresentavam quatro a cinco folhas, sendo mantidas em viveiro com 50% de sombreamento. Foram feitas medidas de altura, diâmetro do colo e número de folhas, e determinada a massa seca das mudas. As diferenças químicas das misturas utilizadas como substrato, juntamente com o tipo de fertilizante utilizado, proporcionaram crescimento diferenciado das mudas. O substrato S4 pode ser utilizado sem fertilização. Ossubstratos S2 e S3 devem ser utilizados com fertilizante de liberação normal ou lenta de nutrientes, e S1 e S5, sendo pobres em nutrientes, com fertilizante de liberação lenta.

With the aim of evaluating the influence of the substrate and fertilizer type on the acclimatization of plantlets of ‘Prata-An㒠banana obtained from micropropagation, a complete randomized block design was installed, in a 5 x 3 factorial structure, with fourreplications. The substrates used were: S1 - subsoil dirt + carbonized rice hull + Rendimax Floreira® commercial substrate; S2 - subsoil dirt + carbonized rice hull + Organifol® organic mixture; S3 - subsoil dirt + carbonized rice hull + Organifol® 9% SiO organic mixture;S4 - Technes Vivatto® commercial substrate; S5 - thick sand + carbonized rice hull + Rendimax Floreira® commercial substrate, all in proportion 1:1:1 (v:v:v). The fertilizers used were: WF- without fertilizer; FSR - slow- release fertilizer, 14-14-14 (5.0 kg m-3) mixed to the substrate; and FNR - normal-release fertilizer, 14-14-14 (5.0 kg m-3) applied as top dressing 30 days after the planting. The seedlings were planted in polyethylene bags when they presented four to five leaves, being kept at a nursery with 50% shading. Height, stem base diameter, and number of leaves were measured and the dry mass of the plantlets was determined. The chemical differences of the mixtures used as substrate, together with the fertilizer type used, resulted in differentiated growth of the plantlets.The S4 substrate may be used without fertilization. The substrate S2 and S3 may be used with fertilizer of normal or slow release of nutrients, and S1 and S5, being poor in nutrients, with fertilizer of slow release.