Hydroalcoholic Extract of Encholirium spectabile Mart. (Bromeliaceae) in O/W Emulsions as an Additive against the UVB Radiation.

The use of sunscreen is one of the photoprotection measures most used by the population, so these products must offer broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB radiation. Encholirium spectabile, popularly known as "macambira-de-flecha," is a species characterized by its rocky outcrops and found in the Caatinga. This biome is known for extreme droughts and dry periods, and for this reason, its vegetation needed to develop resistance mechanisms. The aim of this work was to evaluate the use of E. spectabile incorporated in O/W emulsion as a potential photoprotective agent and their antioxidant activity. Four chemical constituents (ferulic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid and apigenin) were identified by HPLC-DAD analysis, and emulsions containing different concentrations (1%, 2.5% and 5%) of the extract without and with the addition of chemical filters (octyl methoxycinnamate and benzophenone-3) were prepared and submitted to the test of preliminary stability. The Q formulation demonstrated little variation in the preliminary stability test and was selected for estimated your protection against UVB and determination of in vitro protection factor UVA. The formulations remained stable during the freeze-thaw cycle; the extract despite maintaining the UVA-PF and decreasing the wavelength showed an increase in FPS from 14.4 (control) to 18.8 (control+ Es-HA80).

Cytotoxic Fractions from Hechtia glomerata Extracts and p-Coumaric Acid as MAPK Inhibitors.

Preliminary bioassay-guided fractionation was performed to identify cytotoxic compounds from Hechtia glomerata, a plant that is used in Mexican ethnomedicine. Organic and aqueous extracts were prepared from H. glomerata's leaves and evaluated against two cancer cell lines. The CHCl3/MeOH (1:1) active extract was fractionated, and the resulting fractions were assayed against prostate adenocarcinoma PC3 and breast adenocarcinoma MCF7 cell lines. Active fraction 4 was further analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry analysis to identify its active constituents. Among the compounds that were responsible for the cytotoxic effects of this fraction were flavonoids, phenolic acids, and aromatic compounds, of which p-coumaric acid (p-CA) and its derivatives were abundant. To understand the mechanisms that underlie p-CA cytotoxicity, a microarray assay was performed on PC3 cells that were treated or not with this compound. The results showed that mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) that regulate many cancer-related pathways were targeted by p-CA, which could be related to the reported effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). A molecular docking study of p-CA showed that this phenolic acid targeted these protein active sites (MAPK8 and Serine/Threonine protein kinase 3) at the same binding site as their inhibitors. Thus, we hypothesize that p-CA produces ROS, directly affects the MAPK signaling pathway, and consequently causes apoptosis, among other effects. Additionally, p-CA could be used as a platform for the design of new MAPK inhibitors and re-sensitizing agents for resistant cancers.

Chemical Fingerprinting and Biological Evaluation of the Endemic Chilean Fruit Greigia sphacelata (Ruiz and Pav.) Regel (Bromeliaceae) by UHPLC-PDA-Orbitrap-Mass Spectrometry.

Greigia sphacelata (Ruiz and Pav.) Regel (Bromeliaceae) is a Chilean endemic plant popularly known as "quiscal" and produces an edible fruit consumed by the local Mapuche communities named as "chupón". In this study, several metabolites including phenolic acids, organic acids, sugar derivatives, catechins, proanthocyanidins, fatty acids, iridoids, coumarins, benzophenone, flavonoids, and terpenes were identified in G. sphacelata fruits using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection coupled with a Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-PDA-Orbitrap-MS) analysis for the first time. The fruits showed moderate antioxidant capacities (i.e., 487.11 ± 26.22 µmol TE/g dry weight) in the stable radical DPPH assay, 169.08 ± 9.81 TE/g dry weight in the ferric reducing power assay, 190.32 ± 6.23 TE/g dry weight in the ABTS assay, and 76.46 ± 3.18% inhibition in the superoxide anion scavenging assay. The cholinesterase inhibitory potential was evaluated against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). From the findings, promising results were observed for pulp and seeds. Our findings suggest that G. sphacelata fruits are a rich source of diverse secondary metabolites with antioxidant capacities. In addition, the inhibitory effects against AChE and BChE suggest that natural products or food supplements derived from G. sphacelata fruits are of interest for their neuroprotective potential.

Phytochemical analysis and biological activities of in vitro cultured Nidularium procerum, a bromeliad vulnerable to extinction.

This study reports the first phytochemical and biological characterization in treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma cells (H295R) of extracts from Nidularium procerum, an endemic bromeliad of Atlantic Forest vulnerable to extinction. Extracts of dry leaves obtained from in vitro-grown plants were recovered by different extraction methods, viz., hexanoic, ethanolic, and hot and cold aqueous. Chromatography-based metabolite profiling and chemical reaction methods revealed the presence of flavonoids, steroids, lipids, vitamins, among other antioxidant and antitumor biomolecules. Eicosanoic and tricosanoic acids, α-Tocopherol (vitamin E) and scutellarein were, for the first time, described in the Nidularium group. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts contained the highest phenolic content (107.3 mg of GAE.100 g-1) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, respectively. The immunomodulatory and antitumoral activities of aqueous extracts were assessed using specific tests of murine macrophages modulation (RAW 264.7) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay against adrenocortical carcinoma cell line, respectively. The aqueous extract improved cell adhesion and phagocytic activities and phagolysossomal formation of murine macrophages. This constitutes new data on the Bromeliaceae family, which should be better exploited to the production of new phytomedicines for pharmacological uses.

The Tillandsia genus: history, uses, chemistry, and biological activity / El género Tillandsia: historia, usos, química y actividad biológica

Tillandsia L. genus comprises 649 species, with different uses at different times. T. usneoides L. uses are reported since the late- archaic and pre-Columbian cultures. In XIX-XX centuries, T. usneoides was used in some manufactured products, as polish and packing fruit. Tillandsia has a favorable reputation as medicine: for leucorrhea, rheumatism, ulcers, hemorrhoid treatment, as an anti-diabetic remedy, emetic, analgesic, purgative, contraceptive, antispasmodic and diuretic. Tillandsia chemical composition includes cycloartane triterpenes and hydroxy-flavonoids, which are present in at least 24 species. Several extracts and compounds from Tillandsia spp. have been reported with pharmacological actions, as anti-neoplasia, hypolipidemic, antifungal, anti-HSV-1, hypoglycemic and microbicide. This review communicates the economic importance, ethnobotany, chemistry composition and biological activities of the Tillandsia genus, and analyze its biological and economic perspective. Tillandsia genus has cultural, economic and pharmacological relevance, with a high potential in many essential aspects of the modern society.

El género Tillandsia L. comprende 649 especies, con diferentes usos en diferentes épocas. T. usneoides L. se han reportado desde el arcáico tardío hasta las culturas precolombinas. En los siglos XIX-XX, T. usneoides se usó en productos manufacturados: como abrasivo y embalaje de fruta. Como medicina tradicional, el género Tillandsia se reporta para leucorrea, reumatismo, úlceras, hemorroides, remedio antidiabético, emético, analgésico, purgante, anticonceptivo, antiespasmódico y diurético. Su composición química incluye triterpenos de tipo ciclo-artano e hidroxi-flavonoides, presentes en al menos 24 especies. Los extractos y compuestos del género Tillandsia se han reportado con propiedades antineoplásicas, hipolipidémicas, antifúngicas, anti-HSV-1, hipoglucemiantes y microbicidas. Esta revisión comunica la importancia económica, etnobotánica, composición química y las actividades biológicas del género Tillandsia, y analiza su perspectiva biológica y potencial económica. Tillandsia tiene importancia cultural, económica y farmacológica, con gran potencial en muchos aspectos esenciales de la sociedad moderna.

Polyphenolic profile and antioxidant activity of meristem and leaves from "chagual" (Puya chilensis Mol.), a salad from central Chile.

The Bromeliaceae Puya chilensis Mol. is a native monocotyledonous food plant that can be found in central Chile. It is traditionally known as chagual. The tender basal part of the leaves, just starting from the meristem, are consumed as a salad. The aim of this work was to describe the phenolic content and composition of the meristem and leaves of chagual, as well as their antioxidant capacity and inhibitory activity against metabolic syndrome-associated enzymes. Samples of chagual, including two cultivated and three wild growing plants, were analyzed and compared for composition and bioactivity. From the phenolic enriched extract of the plant (PEE), 26 compounds were tentatively identified by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn, including 12 hydroxycinnamic acids and 14 flavonoids. The main compounds were identified as diferuloyl hexaric acid isomers and 5-p-Coumaroylquinic acid. The compounds were quantified in both meristem and leaves. The PEE content was up to ten times higher in the meristem than in the leaves, ranging from 0.18 to 124.08 mg/g PEE. The samples inhibited α-glucosidase, but did not show effect on α-amylase and pancreatic lipase. This is the first report on the polyphenol composition and bioactivity of the edible components of the chagual food plant.

An arboreal spider protects its offspring by diving into the water of tank bromeliads.

Cupiennius salei (Ctenidae) individuals frequently live in association with tank bromeliads, including Aechmea bracteata, in Quintana Roo (Mexico). Whereas C. salei females without egg sacs hunt over their entire host plant, females carrying egg sacs settle above the A. bracteata reservoirs they have partially sealed with silk. There they avoid predators that use sight to detect their prey, as is known for many bird species. Furthermore, if a danger is more acute, these females dive with their egg sacs into the bromeliad reservoir. An experiment showed that this is not the case for males or females without egg sacs. In addition to the likely abundance of prey found therein, the potential of diving into the tank to protect offspring may explain the close association of this spider with bromeliads. These results show that, although arboreal, C. salei evolved a protective behavior using the water of tank bromeliads to protect offspring.

Ants impact the composition of the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities of a myrmecophytic tank bromeliad.

In an inundated Mexican forest, 89 out of 92 myrmecophytic tank bromeliads (Aechmea bracteata) housed an associated ant colony: 13 sheltered Azteca serica, 43 Dolichoderus bispinosus, and 33 Neoponera villosa. Ant presence has a positive impact on the diversity of the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities (n=30 bromeliads studied). A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that the presence and the species of ant are not correlated to bromeliad size, quantity of water, number of wells, filtered organic matter or incident radiation. The PCA and a generalized linear model showed that the presence of Azteca serica differed from the presence of the other two ant species or no ants in its effects on the aquatic invertebrate community (more predators). Therefore, both ant presence and species of ant affect the composition of the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in the tanks of A. bracteata, likely due to ant deposition of feces and other waste in these tanks.

Hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis is the dominant methanogenic pathway in neotropical tank bromeliad wetlands.

Several thousands of tank bromeliads per hectare of neotropical forest create a unique wetland ecosystem that emits substantial amounts of CH4 . Tank bromeliads growing in the forest canopy (functional type-II tank bromeliads) were found to emit more CH4 than tank bromeliads growing on the forest floor (functional type-I tank bromeliads) but the reasons for this difference and the underlying microbial CH4 -cycling processes have not been studied. Therefore, we characterized archaeal communities in bromeliad tanks of the two different functional types in a neotropical montane forest of southern Ecuador using terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and performed tank-slurry incubations to measure CH4 production potential, stable carbon isotope fractionation and pathway of CH4 formation. The archaeal community composition was dominated by methanogens and differed between bromeliad functional types. Hydrogenotrophic Methanomicrobiales were the dominant methanogens and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis was the dominant methanogenic pathway among all bromeliads. The relative abundance of aceticlastic Methanosaetaceae and the relative contribution of aceticlastic methanogenesis increased in type-I tank bromeliads probably due to more oxic conditions in type-I than in type-II bromeliads leading to the previously observed lower in situ CH4 emissions from type-I tank bromeliads but to higher CH4 production potentials in type-I tank bromeliad slurries.

Non-Polar Natural Products from Bromelia laciniosa, Neoglaziovia variegata and Encholirium spectabile (Bromeliaceae).

Extensive regional droughts are already a major problem on all inhabited continents and severe regional droughts are expected to become an increasing and extended problem in the future. Consequently, extended use of available drought resistant food plants should be encouraged. Bromelia laciniosa , Neoglaziovia variegata and Encholirium spectabile are excellent candidates in that respect because they are established drought resistant edible plants from the semi-arid Caatinga region. From a food safety perspective, increased utilization of these plants would necessitate detailed knowledge about their chemical constituents. However, their chemical compositions have previously not been determined. For the first time, the non-polar constituents of B. laciniosa , N. variegata and E. spectabile have been identified. This is the first thorough report on natural products from N. variegata , E. spectabile , and B. laciniosa . Altogether, 20 non-polar natural products were characterized. The identifications were based on hyphenated gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) and supported by 1D and 2D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) plant metabolomics.

Development and Evaluation of Photoprotective O/W Emulsions Containing Hydroalcoholic Extract of Neoglaziovia variegata (Bromeliaceae).

Neoglaziovia variegata is a Bromeliaceae plant species widely found in Brazil with several pharmacological properties, including photoprotective activity. Although herbal-based active ingredients have been applied in cosmetic products, especially for skin treatment, its application in sunscreen formulations remains unexplored. The aim of this work is to evaluate the photoprotective effect of cosmetic formulations containing hydroalcoholic extract of N. variegata (Nv-HA). Initially, the phenolic and flavonoid total content of Nv-HA were determined. The photoprotective activity of Nv-HA was subsequently assessed using a spectrophotometric method. Nv-HA was incorporated in O/W emulsions in the presence or absence of synthetic filters and their photoprotective efficacy was evaluated by spectrophotometric SPF determination. Finally, the stability study of the formulations was performed through the freezing/defrosting method. Nv-HA showed significant phenolic and flavonoids content (61.66 ± 5.14 mg GAE/g and 90.27 ± 5.03 mg CE/g, resp.). Nv-HA showed SPF values of 5.43 ± 0.07 and 11.73 ± 0.04 for the concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0% (v/v), respectively. It was verified that Nv-HA potentiated the photoprotective effect of formulations containing only synthetic filters. Furthermore, the formulations have remained stable at the end of the preliminary stability study. According to the results, it was concluded that Nv-HA can be used as a chemical filter in cosmetic formulations.

Volatile compounds profile of Bromeliaceae flowers / Perfil de compuestos volátiles de las flores en las Bromeliaceae

Abstract:Volatile compounds play a vital role in the life cycle of plants, possessing antimicrobial and anti-herbivore activities, and with a significant importance in the food, cosmetic, chemical, and pharmaceutical industry. This study aimed to identify the volatile compounds emitted by flowers of thirteen species belonging to four genera of Bromeliaceae, using headspace solid-phase micro-extraction and detection by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 71 volatile compounds belonging to nine chemical groups were identified. The compounds identified represented more than 97 % of the major components in Aechmea bicolor, Ae. bromeliifolia, Ae. distichantha, Ae. fasciata, and Vriesea friburgensis. In the Ananas varieties, over 99 % of the components were identified, and around 90 % in V. simplex. V. friburgensis presented the largest diversity of volatiles with 31 compounds, while Alcantarea nahoumii presented only 14. All three Ananas varieties presented the same 28 compounds in relatively similar abundance, which has been confirmed by principal component analysis. Current taxonomy and pollination syndrome studies available can adequately explain the variation in volatile compounds among species. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (3): 1101-1116. Epub 2016 September 01.

ResumenLos compuestos volátiles tienen un papel vital en el ciclo de vida de las plantas. Poseen actividad antimicrobiana y anti-herbivoría biológica y una gran importancia en la industria de alimentos, cosméticos, perfumes, productos químicos y farmacéuticos. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar los compuestos volátiles de trece flores de especies, pertenecientes a cuatro géneros de Bromeliaceae utilizando microextracción en fase sólida mediante cromatografía de gases hifenada con espacio de cabeza acoplada a espectrometría de masas. Se han identificado setenta y un diferentes compuestos volátiles pertenecientes a nueve grupos. Los compuestos identificados representaron más del 97 % de los componentes principales en Aechmea bicolor, Ae. bromeliifolia, Ae. distichantha, Ae. fasciata, Vriesea friburgensis, 99 % en las variedades de Ananas y 90 % en V. Simplex. V. friburgensis mostró la mayor diversidad de compuestos volátiles con 31, mientras que en Al. nahoumii se han encontrado sólo 14 compuestos. Las tres variedades de Ananas presentan los mismos 28 compuestos en cantidades relativamente similares, lo que se confirmó por el análisis de componentes principales. Estudios taxonómicos y síndromes de polinización disponibles podrían explicar la variación de los compuestos volátiles entre especies.

Effects on fibrinogen, fibrin, and blood coagulation of proteolytic extracts from fruits of Pseudananas macrodontes, Bromelia balansae, and B. hieronymi (Bromeliaceae) in comparison with bromelain.

Extracts rich in cysteine proteases obtained from fruits of Pseudananas macrodontes (Pm), Bromelia balansae (Bb), and B. hieronymi (Bh) have previously shown an anti-inflammatory effect on animal models. Given the close relationship between hemostasis and inflammation, it is attractive to investigate therapeutic agents capable of modulating both systems. The aim of this work was to study the effect of Pm, Bb, and Bh on fibrin(ogen) and blood coagulation compared with stem bromelain (Bro). Action on fibrinogen was electrophoretically and spectrophotometrically evaluated, fibrinolytic activity was measured both electrophoretically and by the fibrin plate assay, and the effect on blood coagulation was studied by conventional coagulation tests (PT and APPT). All extracts showed the same proteolytic preference for fibrinogen subunits, that is Aα > Bß, whereas γ was partially hydrolyzed by 100-fold concentration increase. Unlike Bro, cysteine proteases of Pm, Bb, and Bh increased absorbance at 540 nm of fibrinogen solution, suggesting thrombin-like activity, which was time-dependent and reached maximum values at lower concentration. All extracts showed the same proteolytic preference for fibrin subunits; however Pm, Bb, and Bh showed lower fibrinolytic activity than Bro at the assayed concentrations. Although Bb acted only as anticoagulant, Pm, Bh, and unexpectedly Bro showed dual action on blood coagulation: at low concentration showed procoagulant effect and at high concentration anticoagulant effect. Results reveal new plant species as potential sources of pharmacological agents for the treatment of a wide range of hemostatic disorders as well as to wound healing.

Volatile compounds profile of Bromeliaceae flowers.

Volatile compounds play a vital role in the life cycle of plants, possessing antimicrobial and anti-herbivore activities, and with a significant importance in the food, cosmetic, chemical, and pharmaceutical industry. This study aimed to identify the volatile compounds emitted by flowers of thirteen species belonging to four genera of Bromeliaceae, using headspace solid-phase micro-extraction and detection by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 71 volatile compounds belonging to nine chemical groups were identified. The compounds identified represented more than 97 % of the major components in Aechmea bicolor, Ae. bromeliifolia, Ae. distichantha, Ae. fasciata, and Vriesea friburgensis. In the Ananas varieties, over 99 % of the components were identified, and around 90 % in V. simplex. V. friburgensis presented the largest diversity of volatiles with 31 compounds, while Alcantarea nahoumii presented only 14. All three Ananas varieties presented the same 28 compounds in relatively similar abundance, which has been confirmed by principal component analysis. Current taxonomy and pollination syndrome studies available can adequately explain the variation in volatile compounds among species.

Acaricidal activity of extracts from the leaves and aerial parts of Neoglaziovia variegata (Bromeliaceae) on the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus.

This experiment was carried out to study the bioacaricidal activity of Neoglaziovia variegata against engorged females of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. The mortality and fecundity of groups of engorged adult females exposed to different concentrations of ethanol, hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate extracts obtained from the leaves and aerial parts of N. variegata were evaluated, using three treatments with concentrations of 5, 10 e 25 mg/ml; two controls (distilled water and distilled water with drops of cremophor); with three replicates. The hexane extract of the leaves demonstrated significant results, presenting 94.1% inhibition of oviposition; 0.33% the average percentage of eclosion of eggs; and 99.8% of effectiveness. These results indicate N. variegata, particularly the hexane extract of leaves, as potential alternative control agents of R. (B.) microplus. Pharmacological and chemical studies are continuing in order to characterize the mechanism responsible for this effect.

Gastroprotective effect of an ethanolic extract from Neoglaziovia variegata (Arruda) Mez (Bromeliaceae) in rats and mice.

This study investigates the gastroprotective effect of a crude ethanolic extract of Neoglaziovia variegata (Arruda) Mez (Bromeliaceae), designated Nv-EtOH, in experimental models of gastric ulcer. In the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model, Nv-EtOH showed gastroprotection at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (BW) (57.0% and 79.7%, respectively). Nv-EtOH also significantly reduced the formation of gastric lesions induced by ethanol/HCl (31.6% and 63.5%), ibuprofen (70.0% and 74.3%), or ischemia/reperfusion in rats (65.0% and 87.0%) at 200 and 400 mg/kg BW when compared with the vehicle group. In the antioxidant activity assessment, Nv-EtOH (400 mg/kg BW) increased the catalase activity and sulfhydryl groups (SH) levels, respectively. Moreover, gastroprotection against ethanol damage was decreased after ibuprofen pretreatment. Nv-EtOH (400 mg/kg BW) promoted a significant increase in the content of gastric wall mucus. The Nv-EtOH effect was significantly reduced in mice pretreated with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG) or glibenclamide, inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase and K(ATP) channel activation, respectively, suggesting the involvement of these mechanisms in the Nv-EtOH-induced gastroprotective effect. Nv-EtOH decreased the total acidity, but did not modify other gastric juice parameters. Nv-EtOH was also effective in promoting the healing process in chronic gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid in rats.

Tillandsia recurvata L. (Bromeliaceae): aspectos farmacognósticos / Tillandsia recurvata L. (Bromeliaceae): a pharmacognostic study

A cobertura superior das florestas tropicais, formada pelas copas das árvores, constitui um ambiente de extrema diversidade vegetal. Contribuindo com a grande riqueza dessas florestas encontram-se as espécies botânicas epífitas, cuja importância pode ser observada do ponto de vista ecológico, faunístico, etnobotânico e até mesmo farmacológico. Dentre as espécies adaptadas à vida epifítica podemos citar as bromeliáceas, que compõem uma das famílias mais representativas dessa flora com elevada variabilidade genética. Tillandsia recurvata é uma espécie epífita cosmopolita, nativa, adaptada a habitats áridos, utilizada para o tratamento de diversas doenças, mas pouco se tem publicado a respeito das comprovações científicas de suas propriedades. O presente trabalho revisa os aspectos etnofarmacológicos, atividades biológicas e compostos químicos relacionados à espécie em questão, pertencente à Bromeliaceae. A partir do levantamento de dados realizado, observa-se que esta se trata de uma espécie de conhecido uso popular no tratamento de diferentes distúrbios, com alguns estudos farmacológicos que comprovam suas propriedades terapêuticas. Do ponto de vista químico observa-se a presença de terpenos, flavonoides e derivados cinâmicos em sua constituição, em que alguns compostos isolados ilustram a potencialidade desta espécie como fonte de biomoléculas de interesse. Todos estes aspectos considerados nesta revisão contribuem para o conhecimento a respeito da importância biológica e o potencial terapêutico acerca dos metabólitos desta promissora espécie.

The canopy of tropical forests, formed by the crowns of trees, constitutes a habitat of extreme plant diversity. Contributing to the great richness of these forests are epiphytes, which are of outstanding importance from the ecological, faunal, ethnobotanical and even pharmacological standpoints. Among the species adapted to the epiphytic life (growing on other plants) are the bromeliads, one of the most representative families of that flora, possessing high genetic variability. Tillandsia recurvate is a cosmopolitan epiphyte adapted to arid habitats, traditionally used to treat various diseases, though little has been published on scientific evidence for its properties. This paper reviews its ethnopharmacology and the biological activities and chemical compounds related to this member of the Bromeliaceae. According to the data collected, this species is known for its popular use in the treatment of various disorders, with some pharmacological studies that demonstrate its therapeutic properties. From the chemical point of view, terpenes, flavonoids and cinnamic acid derivatives are found in its constitution and some of the compounds isolated illustrate the potential of this species as a source of interesting biomolecules. All these features reviewed here contribute to what is known about the biological importance and therapeutic potential of metabolites from this promising species.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Pseudananas macrodontes (Morr.) Harms (Bromeliaceae) fruit extract in rats.

Several species of the family Bromeliaceae are characterized by the production of proteases in unusual amounts, especially in fruits. Bromelain, an extract rich in cysteine endopeptidases obtained from Ananas comosus L., and a few other proteases have been used as anti-inflammatory agents for some years, but bromelain is still mainly being used as alternative and/or complementary therapy to the treatment with glucocorticoids, nonsteroidal antirheumatics, and immunomodulators. In this study, the anti-inflammatory action of a partially purified extract from Pseudananas macrodontes (Morr.) Harms fruits (PPE(Pm)) is presented, whose main components are cysteine endopeptidases. The effect of PPE(Pm) was assessed in carrageenan-induced and serotonin-induced rat paw edema, as well as in the cotton pellet granuloma model. Doses with equal proteolytic activity of PPE(Pm) and bromelain produced significantly similar anti-inflammatory responses in the acute inflammatory models assayed, supporting the hypothesis that proteolytic activity could be responsible for the anti-inflammatory action. On the contrary, comparable anti-inflammatory effects of PPE(Pm) and bromelain in the chronic inflammatory assay required a much lower proteolytic activity content of PPE(Pm), which could be due to a differential affinity for the protein target involved in this process.

Avances sobre usos etnobotánicos de las Bromeliaceae en Latinoamérica / Progress on ethnobotanical uses of Bromeliaceae in Latin America

The bromeliads have been used by Latin American cultures since ancestral time until now. The goal of this work is update the bromeliads uses in Latin America summarizing personal observations and literature review. In this work are included 78 species of Bromeliaceae employed by humans and the ways that these plants are used in 19 countries in Latin America are described. The uses includes since ornamental, medicinal, alimentary, ceremonial, as well as to obtain fiber and textiles. The 42.3 percent of the species here mentioned, mostly of the Tillandsia genus, are used in ceremonial events.

Las Bromeliáceas han sido empleadas por la cultura latinoamericana desde tiempos ancestrales hasta la actualidad. El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en realizar una recopilación actualizada de los usos que se le han dado a las Bromeliaceae en Latinoamérica, a través de recolección de observaciones así como de la revisión de la literatura. En este trabajo se mencionan 78 especies de la familia empleadas por el hombre y se describen los usos en 19 países de Latinoamérica. Los usos van desde ornamentales, medicinales, alimentarios, ceremoniales, así como para obtención de fibras y textiles. El 42.3 por ciento de las especies aquí mencionadas, en su mayoría del género Tillandsia, son empleadas en ceremonias.

Aquatic microbial habitats within a neotropical rainforest: bromeliads and pH-associated trends in bacterial diversity and composition.

Tank-forming bromeliads, suspended in the rainforest canopy, possess foliage arranged in compact rosettes capable of long-term retention of rainwater. This large and unique aquatic habitat is inhabited by microorganisms involved in the important decomposition of impounded material. Moreover, these communities are likely influenced by environmental factors such as pH, oxygen, and light. Bacterial community composition and diversity was determined for the tanks of several bromeliad species (Aechmea and Werauhia) from northern Costa Rica, which span a range of parameters, including tank morphology and pH. These were compared with a nearby forest soil sample, an artificial tank (amber bottle), and a commercially available species (Aechmea). Bacterial community diversity, as measured by 16S rRNA analysis and tRFLP, showed a significant positive correlation with tank pH. A majority of 16S rRNA bacterial phylotypes found in association with acidic bromeliad tanks of pH < 5.1 were affiliated with the Alphaproteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Planctomycetes, and Bacteroidetes, and were similar to those found in acidic peat bogs, yet distinct from the underlying soil community. In contrast, bromeliads with tank pH > 5.3, including the commercial bromeliad with the highest pH (6.7), were dominated by Betaproteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes. To empirically determine the effect of pH on bacterial community, the tank pH of a specimen of Aechmea was depressed, in the field, from 6.5 to 4.5, for 62 days. The resulting community changed predictably with decreased abundance of Betaproteobacteria and Firmicutes and a concomitant increase in Alphaproteobacteria and Acidobacteria. Collectively, these results suggest that bromeliad tanks provide important habitats for a diverse microbial community, distinct from the surrounding environment, which are influenced greatly by acid-base conditions. Additionally, total organic carbon (∼46%) and nitrogen (∼2%) of bromeliad-impounded sediment was elevated relative to soil and gene surveys confirmed the presence of both chitinases and nitrogenases, suggesting that bromeliad tanks may provide important habitats for microbes involved in the biological cycling of carbon and nitrogen in tropical forests.