Process optimization of physicochemical properties of spray-dried Hydrocotyle umbellata L. extract

Abstract Hydrocotyle umbellata L., Araliaceae, is a species that is recommended in Ayurvedic medicine for its effects on the central nervous system, such as anxiolytic and memory-stimulant effects. Despite the medicinal potential of this species, its phytopharmaceutical and technological potential to produce standardized extracts has not been investigated. This study analyzes the influence of spray drying parameters on the contents of the chemical markers (total phenolic, total flavonoid, and hibalactone) and the functional properties of H. umbellata extract. The optimization of drying conditions was performed using a central composite design combined with response surface methodology and desirability function approach. The mathematical models fitted to experimental data indicated that all the evaluated drying parameters significantly influenced the chemical contents. The optimal conditions were: inlet temperature of 120 °C, feed flow rate of 4 mL min-1, and colloidal silicon dioxide:maltodextrin ratio of 16%:4%. Under these conditions, the powder samples had spherical particles and desirable physicochemical and functional properties, such as low water activity and moisture content, good product recovery, reconstitution, and flowability. Thus, spray drying might be a promising technique for processing standardized H. umbellata extracts.

Gastroprotective potential and mechanisms of action of Hedera nepalensis

Abstract Hedera nepalensis (H. nepalensis) , belonging to the family Araliaceae, is a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat stomach problems. The current study investigated the gastroprotective potential and the mechanism of action of H. nepalensis in diclofenac-and ethanol-induced ulcer models. Anti-oxidant and lipid peroxidation inhibitory prospects of H. nepalensis were checked out by free radical scavenging assay and UV spectrophotometer respectively. Effect of H. nepalensis on the pH, gastric total acidity of gastric juice and protective effects of H. nepalensis against ulcer models have been examined. Histopathological studies have been carried out. The aqueous methanol extract of H. nepalensis (100 µg/mL) showed anti-oxidant (83.55%) and lipid peroxidation inhibitory (70.88%) potential at 1000 µg/mL; the extract had no buffer potential. The extract (400 mg/kg) significantly (81.12% and 63.46%) showed gastroprotective effect in diclofenac and ethanol-induced rat ulcer models respectively. Histopathological studies confirmed the biochemical findings. FTIR analysis showed the presence of carboxylic acid, alkanes, conjugated alkanes, aldehydes and alkyl-aryl ethers. Gallic acid, M-coumaric acid and quercetin were found by HPLC analysis. H. nepalensis exhibited significant protection against diclofenac and ethanol induced gastric damage by anti-oxidant and lipid peroxidation suppression effects suggesting potential broad utility in treatment of diseases characterized with gastric damage.

Ethnopharmacological activity of Hedera nepalensis K. Koch extracts and lupeol against alloxan-induced type I diabetes

In this study, we investigated the protective effects of Hedera nepalensis crude extract, its fractions and lupeol in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Lupeol and n-hexane (HNN) fraction significantly reduced the blood glucose level by increasing insulin level in time dependent manner, and also significantly increased amylase and lipase activity in diabetic rats. Elevated levels of alanine transaminases (ALT), aspartate transaminases (AST), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), nitrite, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), total bilirubin and total protein in blood serum were efficiently restored to normal levels. Suppressed enzymatic activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and peroxidase (POD) were also restored to their normal levels. Kidney functions were also restored to normal level after treatment with HNN and lupeol. HNN fraction and lupeol of H. nepalensis prevented oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. This study signifies the importance of H. nepalensis and lupeol in ameliorating diabetes by inducing insulin secretion in diabetic model rats.

Protective effects of Hydrocotyle umbellata var. bonariensis Lam. (Araliaceae) on memory in sleep-impaired female mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hydrocotyle umbellata var.bonariensis Lam. (Hb), popularly known in Brazil as acariçoba and outside Brazil Hb by a number of names including marsh-pennywort, and many-flower, has traditionally been used in Ayurvedic medicine in the retardation of aging (Rasayana effect). AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study evaluated the effect of Hb treatment before and during paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) and sleep restriction (SR) on learning, memory, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) brain activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Adult Swiss nulliparous female mice were randomly distributed among the experimental groups. The treated groups received the aqueous solution of Hb leaves orally at concentrations of 500 and 1.000 mg/kg. PSD and SR were induced by the multiple platform method, in which the animals remained for 3-days in PSD or 15-days in SR for 22 h per day. The collection of the vaginal epithelium occurred daily to determine the estrous cycle. Body mass gain was determined. The animals were submitted to the passive avoidance test and were then euthanized for the collection of brain tissue and the determination of cerebral cholinesterase activity. RESULTS: The aqueous solution of Hb was associated with a significant reduction in cholinesterase activity at both doses in the SR model, and at the dose of 1.000 mg/kg in the PSD model. Regarding the learning and memory test, the PSD group treated with 1.000 mg/kg presented significant improvement, whereas in the SR experiment none of the treated-groups showed any improvement in learning and memory. In the analysis of SR/PSD interference and/or Hb treatment on the estrous cycle, it was possible to observe that the treatment acted as a protector in the SR group, maintaining a normal cycle. CONCLUSIONS: The analyses showed that Hb was safe to use during periods of SR or PSD, acting as an adaptogen for these situations, in addition to being able to reduce cholinesterase activity, which suggests its neuroprotective action. In relation to the estrous cycle, Hb can act as a protector in SR situations.

Effects of an accidental dry-season fire on the reproductive phenology of two Neotropical savanna shrubs / Efeitos de um incêndio acidental de estação seca sobre a fenologia reprodutiva de dois arbustos savânicos neotropicais

Abstract Fire is a recurrent disturbance in savanna vegetation and savanna species are adapted to it. Even so, fire may affect various aspects of plant ecology, including phenology. We studied the effects of a spatially heterogeneous fire on the reproductive phenology of two dominant woody plant species, Miconia albicans (Melastomataceae) and Schefflera vinosa (Araliaceae), in a savanna area in South-eastern Brazil. The study site was partially burnt by a dry-season accidental fire in August 2006, and we monitored the phenolology of 30 burnt and 30 unburnt individuals of each species between September 2007 and September 2008. We used restricted randomizations to assess phenological differences between the burnt and unburnt individuals. Fire had negative effects on the phenology of M. albicans, with a smaller production of reproductive structures in general and of floral buds, total fruits, and ripe fruits in burnt plants. All unburnt but only 16% of the burnt M. albicans plants produced ripe fruits during the study. Fire effects on S. vinosa were smaller, but there was a greater production of floral buds and fruits (but not ripe fruits) by burnt plants; approximately 90% of the individuals of S. vinosa produced ripe fruits during the study, regardless of having been burnt or not. The differences between the two species may be related to S. vinosa's faster growth and absence from the seed bank at the study site, whereas M. albicans grows more slowly and is dominant in the seed bank.

Resumo O fogo é uma perturbação recorrente em vegetação savânica e as espécies do cerrado são adaptadas a ele. Mesmo assim, o fogo pode afetar aspectos da ecologia vegetal, incluindo a fenologia. Nós estudamos os efeitos de um incêndio espacialmente heterogêneo sobre a fenologia reprodutiva de duas espécies lenhosas dominantes, Miconia albicans (Melastomataceae) e Schefflera vinosa (Araliaceae), em uma área de cerrado no Sudeste do Brasil. A área de estudo foi parcialmente queimada por um incêndio acidental na estação seca (agosto) de 2006. Nós acompanhamos a fenologia reprodutiva de 30 indivíduos queimados e 30 não-queimados de cada espécie, de setembro de 2007 a setembro de 2008, usando aleatorizações restritas para comparar os dois grupos. Em M. albicans, a produção de estruturas reprodutivas como um todo e de botões florais, frutos e frutos maduros foi maior em indivíduos queimados do que nos não-queimados. Todos os indivíduos não-queimados, mas apenas 16% dos queimados, produziram frutos maduros durante o estudo. Já em S. vinosa, a produção de botões florais e de frutos (mas não de frutos maduros) foi maior em indivíduos queimados; aproximadamente 90% dos indivíduos de S. vinosa produziram frutos maduros durante o estudo, independentemente de terem sido queimados ou não. As diferenças entre as duas espécies podem estar relacionadas com o fato de S. vinosa crescer mais rápido e estar ausente do banco de sementes, ao contrário de M. albicans, de crescimento mais lento e dominante no banco de sementes.

Hypoglycemic property of triterpenoid saponin PFS isolated from Polyscias fruticosa leaves.

This paper evaluated the inhibitory effect of 3-O-[ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-ß-d-glucuronopyranosyl] oleanolic acid 28-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl ester (PFS), a major saponin isolated from Polyscias fruticosa leaves, on α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and its potential for reducing the postprandial blood glucose level in mice. In enzyme inhibition assays, PFS strongly inhibited porcine pancreas α-amylase and yeast α-glucosidase. Using the Lineweaver-Burk equation, we found that PFS inhibited porcine pancreas α-amylase in a mixed noncompetitive mode, and yeast α-glucosidase via noncompetitive inhibition. In the sucrose tolerance test, PFS at 100 mg/kg body weight significantly decreased the postprandial blood glucose level in mice fed a high-sucrose diet. These findings suggest that P. fruticosa leaves and their major saponin PFS can be used to prevent and treat diabetes and its complications.

Effects of an accidental dry-season fire on the reproductive phenology of two Neotropical savanna shrubs.

Fire is a recurrent disturbance in savanna vegetation and savanna species are adapted to it. Even so, fire may affect various aspects of plant ecology, including phenology. We studied the effects of a spatially heterogeneous fire on the reproductive phenology of two dominant woody plant species, Miconia albicans (Melastomataceae) and Schefflera vinosa (Araliaceae), in a savanna area in South-eastern Brazil. The study site was partially burnt by a dry-season accidental fire in August 2006, and we monitored the phenolology of 30 burnt and 30 unburnt individuals of each species between September 2007 and September 2008. We used restricted randomizations to assess phenological differences between the burnt and unburnt individuals. Fire had negative effects on the phenology of M. albicans, with a smaller production of reproductive structures in general and of floral buds, total fruits, and ripe fruits in burnt plants. All unburnt but only 16% of the burnt M. albicans plants produced ripe fruits during the study. Fire effects on S. vinosa were smaller, but there was a greater production of floral buds and fruits (but not ripe fruits) by burnt plants; approximately 90% of the individuals of S. vinosa produced ripe fruits during the study, regardless of having been burnt or not. The differences between the two species may be related to S. vinosa's faster growth and absence from the seed bank at the study site, whereas M. albicans grows more slowly and is dominant in the seed bank.

Testing of Schefflera vinosa extract in mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo for potential toxicity, genetic damage, and role of oxidation.

The aim of this study was to examine the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of a hydroethanolic extract of Schefflera vinosa (SV), a plant with schistosomicidal activity, as well as its influence on DNA damage induced by different mutagens, methyl methane sulfonate (MMS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), in V79 cells and Swiss mice. Schefflera vinosa extract produced cytotoxicity at concentrations of 312.5 µg/ml or higher using the XTT cell proliferation assay kit. Treatment of V79 cell cultures with the highest SV concentration tested (150 µg/ml) significantly increased the frequency of micronuclei (MN) compared to controls. All SV concentrations significantly reduced the frequency of MN induced by hydrogen peroxide in V79 cell cultures. Further, SV was able to scavenge free radicals in the DPPH assay. In the in vivo test system, treatment with the highest dose tested (1,000 mg/kg body weight) induced a significant rise in frequency of DNA damage using the comet assay. However, animals treated with different doses of SV demonstrated absence of genotoxicity in the bone marrow MN test. For assessment of modulatory effects, the lower concentration of SV (250 mg/kg body weight) administered to MMS-treated mice significantly reduced frequency of DNA damage compared to the positive control (MMS alone). In contrast, the highest concentration tested (1,000 mg/kg body weight) significantly increased the rate of MN induced by MMS. The lack of genotoxic damage at biologically relevant SV concentrations, as well as the SV-mediated antigenotoxic and antioxidant activities, indicate the potential therapeutic usefulness of this plant extract. These activities may be attributed, at least in part, to the flavonoid quercitrin, its major component.

Comparing the herbal of efficiency with acaricide deltamethrin / Comparação na eficácia de fitoterápicos com carrapaticida deltametrina

O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar a atividade carrapaticida dos extratos hidroalcoólicos de 7 plantas (Psychotria capitata Ruiz & Pav, Mabea piriri Aubl, Pavania fruticosa (Mill.) Fawc. & Rendle, Schefflera morototoni (Aub.) Maguire, Steyerm. & Frodin, Ocoteia longifólia Kunth, Himatantanthus bracteatus (A.DC.) Woodson, Cupania impressinervia Acev. Rodr.) sobre as larvas e ovipostura das teleóginas de Anocentor Nitens, tendo como controle positivo deltametrina e como branco uma solução de hidroalcoólica. Foi utilizado, 100 teleóginas divididas em 10 grupos de dez, imersas em 40 ml de água destilada e 10 ml de etanol, misturadas juntamente com 1000mg/ml de cada uma das sete soluções de extrato por tratamento durante uma mesma quantidade de tempo, sendo retiradas e secadas 5 min após sua imersão. Estas teleóginas foram observadas durante um período de tempo de 8 dias. O único extrato que teve atividade quando comparado com a deltametrina foi o extrato de Mabea Piriri.(AU)

Comparing the herbal of efficiency with acaricide deltamethrin / Comparação na eficácia de fitoterápicos com carrapaticida deltametrina

O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar a atividade carrapaticida dos extratos hidroalcoólicos de 7 plantas (Psychotria capitata Ruiz & Pav, Mabea piriri Aubl, Pavania fruticosa (Mill.) Fawc. & Rendle, Schefflera morototoni (Aub.) Maguire, Steyerm. & Frodin, Ocoteia longifólia Kunth, Himatantanthus bracteatus (A.DC.) Woodson, Cupania impressinervia Acev. Rodr.) sobre as larvas e ovipostura das teleóginas de Anocentor Nitens, tendo como controle positivo deltametrina e como branco uma solução de hidroalcoólica. Foi utilizado, 100 teleóginas divididas em 10 grupos de dez, imersas em 40 ml de água destilada e 10 ml de etanol, misturadas juntamente com 1000mg/ml de cada uma das sete soluções de extrato por tratamento durante uma mesma quantidade de tempo, sendo retiradas e secadas 5 min após sua imersão. Estas teleóginas foram observadas durante um período de tempo de 8 dias. O único extrato que teve atividade quando comparado com a deltametrina foi o extrato de Mabea Piriri.

Frugivory by birds on Schefflera morototoni (Araliaceae) in a Cerrado-Amazon Forest transition area, eastern Mato Grosso, Brazil / Frugivoria por aves em Schefflera morototoni (Araliaceae) em área de transição Cerrado-Floresta Amazônica, leste de Mato Grosso, Brasil

Schefflera morototoni fruits are important food source for neotropical frugivorous birds. The objectives of the present study were to record bird species that consumed fruits of S. morototoni in a forest in the transition Cerrado-Amazon Forest, Mato Grosso, Brazil and evaluate the potential of these bird species as seed dispersers of this plant species. During 31 observation hours, from November 1 to 5, 2011, 23 bird species were recorded consuming S. morototoni fruits. Out of these, 20 bird species were considered potential seed dispersers, as they swallow the fruits whole. The species consuming the greatest number of fruits were Aburria cujubi (24% of total consumed fruits), Pteroglossus castanotis (18%), Tangara palmarum (12%), Patagioenas speciosa (11%), Ramphastos toco (8%), and Dacnis lineata (5%). The species T. palmarum showed the highest visit frequency (VF = 1.51), followed by P. castanotis (VF = 0.80), and D. lineata (VF = 0.77). All bird species employed picking foraging method for removal of fruits and in 11 species (48%) this method was the only one used. Agonistic interactions represented 13% of the total number of visits. Dacnis lineata received the highest number of attacks and P. castanotis and Pitangus sulphuratus were the more aggressive species. The high bird richness and the great number of consumed fruits indicated that the fruits of S. morototoni may be an important food resource for birds in the Cerrado-Amazon Forest transition.

Os frutos de Schefflera morototoni constituem importante fonte alimentar para aves frugívoras neotropicais. Os objetivos deste estudo foram registrar as espécies de aves que consumiram frutos de S. morototoni em uma floresta na transição Cerrado- Floresta Amazônica, Mato Grosso, Brasil e avaliar a potencialidade destas espécies de aves como dispersoras de sementes desta espécie de planta. Em 31 h de observações compreendidas entre os dias 01 e 05 de novembro de 2011, registramos 23 espécies de aves consumindo os frutos de S. morototoni. Destas, 20 foram consideradas potenciais dispersoras de sementes por engolirem os diásporos inteiros. As espécies que consumiram maior número de frutos foram Aburria cujubi (24% do total de frutos consumidos), Pteroglossus castanotis (18%),Tangara palmarum (12%), Patagioenas speciosa (11%), Ramphastos toco (8%) e Dacnis lineata (5%). A espécie T. palmarum apresentou maior frequência de visita (FV= 1,51), seguida por P. castanotis (FV= 0,80) e D. lineata (FV= 0,77). Todas as espécies de aves empregaram a tática de forrageamento picking para remoção dos frutos e 11 espécies (48%) utilizaram somente essa tática. Interações agonísticas representaram 13% do número total de visitas. Dacnis lineata foi a espécie que sofreu o maior número de agressões e P. castanotis e Pitangus sulphuratus as espécies mais agressoras. A alta riqueza de aves e o elevado número de frutos consumidos mostrou que os frutos de S. morototoni são recursos alimentares importantes para a avifauna na transição Cerrado-Floresta Amazônica.

Frugivory by birds on Schefflera morototoni (Araliaceae) in a Cerrado-Amazon Forest transition area, eastern Mato Grosso, Brazil / Frugivoria por aves em Schefflera morototoni (Araliaceae) em área de transição Cerrado-Floresta Amazônica, leste de Mato Grosso, Brasil

Schefflera morototoni fruits are important food source for neotropical frugivorous birds. The objectives of the present study were to record bird species that consumed fruits of S. morototoni in a forest in the transition Cerrado-Amazon Forest, Mato Grosso, Brazil and evaluate the potential of these bird species as seed dispersers of this plant species. During 31 observation hours, from November 1 to 5, 2011, 23 bird species were recorded consuming S. morototoni fruits. Out of these, 20 bird species were considered potential seed dispersers, as they swallow the fruits whole. The species consuming the greatest number of fruits were Aburria cujubi (24% of total consumed fruits), Pteroglossus castanotis (18%), Tangara palmarum (12%), Patagioenas speciosa (11%), Ramphastos toco (8%), and Dacnis lineata (5%). The species T. palmarum showed the highest visit frequency (VF = 1.51), followed by P. castanotis (VF = 0.80), and D. lineata (VF = 0.77). All bird species employed picking foraging method for removal of fruits and in 11 species (48%) this method was the only one used. Agonistic interactions represented 13% of the total number of visits. Dacnis lineata received the highest number of attacks and P. castanotis and Pitangus sulphuratus were the more aggressive species. The high bird richness and the great number of consumed fruits indicated that the fruits of S. morototoni may be an important food resource for birds in the Cerrado-Amazon Forest transition.(AU)

Os frutos de Schefflera morototoni constituem importante fonte alimentar para aves frugívoras neotropicais. Os objetivos deste estudo foram registrar as espécies de aves que consumiram frutos de S. morototoni em uma floresta na transição Cerrado- Floresta Amazônica, Mato Grosso, Brasil e avaliar a potencialidade destas espécies de aves como dispersoras de sementes desta espécie de planta. Em 31 h de observações compreendidas entre os dias 01 e 05 de novembro de 2011, registramos 23 espécies de aves consumindo os frutos de S. morototoni. Destas, 20 foram consideradas potenciais dispersoras de sementes por engolirem os diásporos inteiros. As espécies que consumiram maior número de frutos foram Aburria cujubi (24% do total de frutos consumidos), Pteroglossus castanotis (18%),Tangara palmarum (12%), Patagioenas speciosa (11%), Ramphastos toco (8%) e Dacnis lineata (5%). A espécie T. palmarum apresentou maior frequência de visita (FV= 1,51), seguida por P. castanotis (FV= 0,80) e D. lineata (FV= 0,77). Todas as espécies de aves empregaram a tática de forrageamento picking para remoção dos frutos e 11 espécies (48%) utilizaram somente essa tática. Interações agonísticas representaram 13% do número total de visitas. Dacnis lineata foi a espécie que sofreu o maior número de agressões e P. castanotis e Pitangus sulphuratus as espécies mais agressoras. A alta riqueza de aves e o elevado número de frutos consumidos mostrou que os frutos de S. morototoni são recursos alimentares importantes para a avifauna na transição Cerrado-Floresta Amazônica.(AU)

Evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Hydrocotyle umbellata L., Araliaceae (acariçoba) in mice.

The Hydrocotyle umbellata L. is a specimen of the Araliaceae family popularly known as acariçoba. Its indications in folk medicine include treatment of skin ulcers, and rheumatism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the ethanolic extract from acariçoba's underground parts (EEA). EEA reduced the nociceptive response of the animals as evaluated in the acetic acid-induced writhing test and in both phases of formalin test. EEA also presented a supraspinal analgesic activity by increasing the pain latency in the hot plate test. Moreover, EEA reduced the leukocytes migration and plasma extravasation to pleural cavity in the carrageenan-induced pleurisy, besides reducing the edema induced by carrageenan until the second hour and also the edema induced by dextran. In conclusion our results showed that EEA of H. umbellata L. presents analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, and that a blockade of activity or reduction in the release of different mediators, such as histamine and serotonin, could be involved in these pharmacologic effects.

Interaction between Mutualisms: Ant-tended butterflies exploit enemy-free space provided by ant-treehopper associations.

Although mutualisms have been intensively investigated, demonstration of indirect effects between co-occurring mutualistic systems is rare. For instance, the ecological consequences of co-occurrence of ant-tended insects on a plant have never been examined for survival effects on either trophobiont species. Here, we assess the selective pressures mediating co-occurrence of a facultative ant-tended butterfly (Parrhasius polibetes) with ant-tended treehoppers (Guayaquila xiphias) on Schefflera vinosa shrubs. We evaluated host plant selection and caterpillar survival in P. polibetes in the presence and absence of ant-treehopper associations. Paired trials revealed that butterflies preferably oviposit on branches hosting ant-tended treehoppers when they had a choice between those and branches without this interaction. Presence of ant-tended treehoppers on a branch reduced the abundance of P. polibetes' natural enemies and improved caterpillar survival in both premyrmecophylic and ant-tended phases. Thus ant-tended treehoppers create an enemy-free space on foliage that butterflies exploit to protect larval offspring. These findings connect two widely documented ant-trophobiont mutualisms and highlight the importance of considering multiple interactions for a proper understanding of ant-plant-herbivore systems. Detection of other ant-based mutualisms on oviposition to improve offspring survival may have represented an important evolutionary step in the process of host plant selection in facultative myrmecophilous butterflies.

Essential oil compositions and cytotoxic activities of Dendropanax capillaris, Oreopanax nubigenus, and Schefflera rodrigueziana from Monteverde, Costa Rica.

The leaf essential oils of Dendropanax capillaris, Oreopanax nubigenus and Schefflera rodrigueziana (Araliaceae) were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. The leaf oil of Dendropanax capillaris was composed of only four compounds, beta-pinene (25.3%), 6-3-carene (44.7%), daucene (17.1%), and dauca-5,8-diene (12.9%). Oreopanax nubigenus leaf oil was dominated by the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons germacrene D (70.1%) and beta-caryophyllene (11.8%), while Schefflera rodrigueziana leaf oil was made up entirely of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, mostly germacrene D (27.6%), beta-cubebene (27.2%), beta-caryophyllene (12.2%), beta-cubebene (11.1%), and alpha-copaene (10.8%). Both O. nubigenus and S. rodrigueziana leaf oils showed notable in-vitro cytotoxicity on MDA-MB-231 cells, which may be attributable to the relatively high concentrations of germacrene D and beta-caryophyllene in those oils.

Competição entre abelhas durante forrageamento em Schefflera arboricola (Hayata) Merr / Competition among bees during foraging on Schefflera arborícola (Hayata) Merr

Schefflera arboricola (Hayata) Merr (Araliaceae) é uma planta exótica, porém amplamente cultivada no Brasil para ornamentação. Devido à abundância de flores que produz, esta árvore é altamente atrativa para abelhas Apis mellifera, bem como para diversos meliponíneos nativos. S. arboricola oferece aos seus visitantes florais pólen e néctar, que são disponibilizados ao amanhecer. A. mellifera possui ampla vantagem na coleta desses recursos devido à sua capacidade de forragear mais cedo do que os meliponíneos de pequeno e médio porte. Através de experimentos de exclusão verificou-se que as abelhas nativas mudam seu comportamento nas flores de S. arboricola em função da competição. Quando A. mellifera compete pelos mesmos recursos florais, as abelhas Scaptotrigona visitam três vezes mais flores e mudam o recurso preferencialmente coletado, pois passam a coletar pólen ao invés de néctar. Os dados obtidos sugerem que A. mellifera pode estar interferindo na dinâmica de forrageamento das abelhas Scaptotrigona.

Schefflera arboricola Hayata Merr (Araliaceae) is an exotic plant widely cultivated in Brazil for ornamental purposes. Their flowers are very attractive to Africanized honey bees (Apis mellifera) as well to several native Meliponini bees. Therefore, it is an interesting plant to test the competitive interactions and foraging overlapping among Africanized honey bees and native stingless bees. S. arboricola offers pollen and nectar to their visitors, which become available early, in the morning. A. mellifera has a large advantage in resource harvesting since can forage earlier than smaller stingless bees. By means of an exclusion experiment, it was verified that the behaviors of native bees change when they are visiting S. arboricola’s flowers in the presence of A. mellifera. When Scaptotrigona and A. mellifera are partitioning this flower resource, Scaptotrigona bees visited three times more flowers and changed the resource preference from nectar to pollen. In this context, A. mellifera may be interfering in the foraging dynamics of native Scaptotrigonabees.

Photoinhibition, carotenoid composition and the co-regulation of photochemical and non-photochemical quenching in neotropical savanna trees.

Plants in the neotropical savannas of central Brazil are exposed to high irradiances, high air temperatures and low relative humidities. These conditions impose a selection pressure on plants for strong stomatal regulation of transpiration to maintain water balance. Diurnal adjustments of non-photochemical energy dissipation in photosystem II (PSII) provide a dynamic mechanism to reduce the risk of photoinhibitory damage during the middle of the day when irradiances and leaf temperatures are high and partial closure of the stomata results in considerable reductions in internal CO(2) concentration. At the end of the dry season, we measured diurnal changes in gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and carotenoid composition in two savanna tree species differing in photosynthetic capacity and in the duration and extent of the midday depression of photosynthesis. Non-photochemical quenching and its quantum yield were tightly correlated with zeaxanthin concentrations on a total chlorophyll basis, indicating that the reversible de-epoxidation of violaxanthin to antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin within the xanthophyll cycle plays a key role in the regulation of thermal energy dissipation. In both cases, a single linear relationship fitted both species. Although efficient regulation of photochemical and non-photochemical quenching and adjustments in the partitioning of electron flow between assimilative and non-assimilative processes were operating, these trees could not fully cope with the rapid increase in irradiance after sunrise, suggesting high vulnerability to photoinhibitory damage in the morning. However, both species were able to recover quickly. The effects of photoinhibitory quenching were largely reversed by midday, and zeaxanthin rapidly converted back to violaxanthin as irradiance decreased in late afternoon, resulting in the maximal quantum yield of PSII of around 0.8 just before sunrise.

In vitro regeneration of Didymopanax morototoni.

The present study aimed at establishing a complete plant regeneration protocol for Didymopanax morototoni (matchwood), a native Brazilian forest species. Four types of explants (root, shoot, node, and cotyledonary leaves) were obtained from in vitro germinated seeds. In the first step, woody plant medium (WPM) with casein hydrolysate (250 mgL-1 ) and 2,4-D (1.0 and 5.0 mgL-1) were used combined with kinetin (0.1 and 1.0 mgL-1). Twenty days after inoculation, the material was evaluated. Embryogenic calli were split, transferred to expression medium with several combinations of NAA and KIN, and moved to fresh medium after 60 days. Light did not interfere in embryo expression. Somatic embryos were formed either from individual cells or cell clusters. Plantlets were obtained in WPM medium and 10 gL-1 of sucrose with no plant regulator, or using 0.1 mgL-1 BAP and 0.5 mgL-1GA. Plantlets from somatic embryos of D. morototoni developed in 33% of the cases.

In vitro regeneration of Didymopanax morototoni

O presente estudo visou o estabelecimento de um completo protocolo de regeneração para Didymopanax morototoni (morototó, caixeta) uma espécie florestal nativa do Brasil. Quatro tipos de explantes (raiz, caule, nódulo foliar e folha cotiledonar) foram obtidos a partir de sementes germinadas. Na primeira etapa, meio WPM com caseína hidrolisada (250 mgL-1) e 2,4D (1,0 e 5,0 mgL-1) foram usados em combinação com cinetina (0,1 ou 1,0 mg L-1). Vinte dias depois de inoculado, o material foi avaliado. Calos embriogênicos foram divididos e transferidos para meio de expressão com várias combinações de ácido naftaleno-acético e cinetina, e repicados a cada 60 dias para meio novo. A luz não interferiu na expressão embriogênica. Embriões somáticos foram formados ou de células individuais ou de agregados de células. As plântulas foram obtidas no meio WPM com 10 g L-1 de sacarose e sem reguladores de crescimento ou com 0,1 mg L-1 de Benzil-adenina e 0,5 mg L-1 de giberelina. O desenvolvimento das plântulas a partir de embriões somáticos de D. morototoni foi alcançada em 33% dos casos.

Molluscicidal activity of plants from Puerto Rico.

Overall, 173 tropical plants from 72 different families, collected from the north-western and western regions of Puerto Rico, were screened for their molluscicidal properties against Biomphalaria glabrata, the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni. Six plant extracts were effective at 50 ppm. The two most effective extracts were those from the leaves of Didymopanax morototoni (Araliaceae) and Mammea americana (Guttiferae), which, at 50 ppm, killed all snails after 24 h of exposure and a day for recovery. Under the same conditions, extracts of Furcraea tuberosa, Argemone mexicana and Paullinia pinnata killed 50% of the snails and that of Solanum americanum killed 33%. The most effective extracts (or their active components or compounds based on them) may have potential as molluscides for the relatively cheap control of human schistosomiasis.