Acrocomia emensis (Arecaceae) genetic structure and diversity using SSR molecular markers.

Acrocomia emensis, popularly known as the creeping tucum, belongs to the family Arecaceae, and is an oilseed specie of the Brazilian Savannah. The expansion of agricultural activity has rapidly destroyed its natural habitat, leading to a decrease in its population size. Genetic studies can be used to investigate the genetic variability, and may assist with the charting future conservation strategies. In this study the genetic diversity and structure of 150 individuals sampled in three locations in Minas Gerais were analysed, based on the transferability of six microsatellite markers, previously developed for A. aculeata. The results indicate that the populations studied have low levels of genetic variability (Ho = 0.148) and high, positive and significant inbreeding coefficient, indicating an excess of homozygotes. The average heterozygosity within the population (Hs = 0.700) accounted for 95.03% of the total genetic diversity, indicating that there is greater variability within population than between them, consistent with low genetic differentiation between population (GST = 0.046). Bayesian analysis identified three distinct groups; however, populations shared large numbers of alleles, which can be explained by the reduced distance between populations. These results reveal the need to implement genetic conservation programs for the maintenance of this species and to prioritize population from Bonito and Brasília, which showed the lowest values of genetic diversity.

Atividade Antinociceptiva e Antimicrobiana da Casca do Caule de Psidium Cattleyanum Sabine / Antiniciceptive and antimicrobial activity of the stem bark of Psidium cattleyanum Sabine

RESUMO Psidium cattleyanum Sabine, conhecida como “araçá”, é espécie nativa do Bioma Cerrado brasileiro comumente utilizado, segundo levantamento etnobotânico, como planta medicinal para tratar várias doenças tais como: patologias hepáticas, gástricas, lesões teciduais incluindo processos dolorosos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a triagem fitoquímica com propósito exploratório, investigar a atividade analgésica e antimicrobiana do extrato hidroalcoólico da casca do caule de Psidium cattleyanum Sabine (ECPCS) para apoiar o uso dessa espécie como planta medicinal. Para isso, foram obtidos extratos e frações com solventes orgânicos de polaridade crescente (hexano, diclorometano, acetato de etila e isobutanol) avaliando-se o perfil fitoquímico para determinar as principais classes de metabólitos secundários presentes na espécie. Investigou-se a atividade analgésica pelo teste de contorções abdominais em camundongos induzidas pelo ácido acético (0,6%). A Concentração Inibitória Mínina (CIM) e Concentração Bactericida Mínima (CBM) foram avaliadas através da técnica de microdiluição em caldo contra micro-organismos da microbiota oral. A triagem fitoquímica identificou a presença de taninos, saponinas, flavonoides e terpenos e/ou esteroides. O ECPCS exibiu atividade analgésica periférica nas doses de 200 e 400 mg/kg. O EAC (extrato acetato de casca) o EDC (extrato diclorometânico de casca) desempenharam melhor ação inibitória sobre o crescimento bacteriano de Estafilococos oralis com CIM 100 e 150 respectivamente. O ECPCS desempenhou ação inibitória sobre o crescimento bacteriano. Os resultados dos estudos experimentais comprovaram a presença de compostos secundários tais como, taninos e flavonoides, o que, provavelmente, pode ser associado à atividade analgésica e ao efeito inibitório sobre os micro-organismos testados com o ECPCS, o que justifica o uso medicinal planta.

ABSTRACT The Psidium cattleyanum Sabine, known as “araçá”, is a native species from the Brazilian Cerrado biome, commonly used, according to ethnobotanical surveis, as a medicinal plant to treat several sicknesses such as liver and , gastric diseases and tissue lesions with painful treatments. The aim of this study was to perform an exploratory screening, investigating the analgesic and antimicrobial activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of the Psidium cattleyanum Sabine (BEPCS) stem bark, in order to support the use of this species as a medicinal plant. For that, the BEPCS and its parts were obtained from the extraction with organic solvents of increasing polarity (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and isobutanol), evaluating its phytochemical profile in order to determine the main types of secondary metabolites present in the species. The analgesic activity, through the twisting test in mice, was investigated and induced by acetic acid (0.6%). The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were evaluated using the microdilution technique in liquid against microorganisms of the oral microbiota. The phytochemical screening identified the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids and terpenes and/or steroids. The BEPCS exhibited peripheral analgesic activity at the doses of 200 and 400 mg / kg. The AEB (acetate extract bark) and the DEB (dicloromethane extract bark) had better inhibitory effect on bacterial growth of Staphylococcus oraliswith MIC 100 and 150 respectively. The BEPCS demonstrated an inhibitory effect on bacterial growth. The results of experimental studies have indicated the presence of secondary compounds as tannins and flavonoids, which probably can be associated with the analgesic activity and inhibitory effect on the microorganisms tested with BEPCS, fact that justifies the its application.

Genetic diversity in populations of Acrocomia aculeata (Arecaceae) in the northern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Macaúba (Acrocomia aculeata) is a palm of economic importance, widely distributed in natural forests from Mexico to Uruguay. We analyzed the genetic diversity of populations of macaúba (A. aculeata) in the northern region of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Young leaves from 10 macaúba individuals encompassing 49 genotypes of macaúba were collected from Montes Claros, Itacambira, Brasília de Minas, Mirabela, and Grão Mogol. After extraction and amplification of samples, the amplified fragments were separated by electrophoresis. We found high levels of genetic diversity within the populations. Genetic diversity indices were high, except in the Itacambira and Mirabela populations. Results show that Mirabela and Itacambira populations can require conservation strategies because they present lower values of genetic diversity.

Genetic diversity of Annona crassiflora (Annonaceae) in northern Minas Gerais State.

Genetic diversity analyses of tropical tree species are relevant to landscape management, plant genetic resource inventory, and biological conservation of threatened species. Annona crassiflora is an endangered fruit tree native to the Cerrado biome that is threatened by reduction of natural populations and fruit extraction. We examined the intra- and interpopulational genetic diversity of this species in the northern region of Minas Gerais State. Seventy-two individuals from four natural populations were genotyped using RAPD markers. We found moderate genetic diversity among populations, with Shannon's I index varying between 0.31 and 0.44, and Nei's genetic diversity (H(E)) for the population set equal to 0.31. AMOVA indicated a greater genetic variation within (77.38%) rather than among populations (22.62%), tending towards isolation by distance (Mantel's r = 0.914; P = 0.089). Nei's genetic identity estimates among populations revealed a hierarchical pattern of genetic similarity of form [(CA1, CA2), MC], [(GM)], corroborating the high genetic differentiation between spatially isolated populations.