[D-Leu1]MC-LR and MC-LR: A Small-Large Difference: Significantly Different Effects on Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fabaceae) Growth and Phototropic Response after Single Contact during Imbibition with Each of These Microcystin Variants.

[D-Leu1]MC-LR and MC-LR, two microcystins differing in one amino acid, constitute a sanitary and environmental problem owing to their frequent and concomitant presence in water bodies of the Americas and their association with human intoxication during recreational exposure to cyanobacterial bloom. Present in reservoirs used for irrigation as well, they can generate problems in the development of crops such as Phaseolus vulgaris, of nutritional and economic interest to the region. Although numerous works address the toxic effects of MC-LR, information on the toxicity of [D-Leu1]MC-LR is limited. Our objective was to study the toxic effects of [D-Leu1]MC-LR and MC-LR (3.5 µg/ml) on P. vulgaris after a single contact at the imbibition stage. Our findings indicate that 10 days post treatment, [D-Leu1]MC-LR generates morphological and physiological alterations more pronounced than those caused by MC-LR. In addition to the alterations produced by [D-Leu1]MC-LR in the development of seedlings and the structure of the leaves, roots and stems, we also found alterations in leaf stomatal density and conductivity, a longer delay in the phototropic response and a decrease in the maximum curvature angles achieved with respect to that observed for MC-LR. Our findings indicate that these alterations are linked to the greater inhibition of phosphatase activity generated by [D-Leu1]MC-LR, rather than to oxidative damage. We observed that 30 days after treatment with MC-LR, plants presented better development and recovery than those treated with [D-Leu1]MC-LR. Further studies are required on [D-Leu1]MC-LR and MC-LR toxicity and their underlying mechanisms of action.

Plantas usadas en medicina popular en la Isla Santiago, Buenos Aires, Argentina / Plants used in popular medicine in the Santiago Island, Buenos Aires, Argentina

This work constitutes a record of vascular plant species used for therapeutic purposes on Santiago Island, located in the Rio de La Plata, southeast of the Party of Ensenada, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The island has an area of 8 km2 and consists of alluvial land, with natural and rich floristic environments. Eighty three households were sampled, plant specimens were collected “in-situ”, were identified using specific literature and binocular magnifying glass, and a digital photographic record was made. We identified 40 species of vascular plants, used by the islanders in folk medicine, mostly exotic and herbaceous. Also, 32 therapeutic uses and 11 affections were reported. The digestive and skin disorders were the most representative.

Este trabajo constituye un registro de especies de plantas vasculares utilizadas con fines terapéuticos en la Isla Santiago, ubicada en el Río de La Plata, al SE del Partido de Ensenada, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. La isla, tiene una superficie de 8 km2 y está formada por tierras de origen aluvional, con ambientes naturales de gran riqueza florística. Se muestrearon 83 unidades domésticas, se recolectaron ejemplares vegetales “in-situ”, se identificaron utilizando bibliografía específica y lupa binocular y se hizo un registro fotográfico digital. Se identificaron 40 especies de plantas vasculares, utilizadas por los isleños en medicina popular, la mayoría exóticas y herbáceas. Asimismo, se reportaron 32 usos terapéuticos y 11 afecciones; los trastornos digestivos y de la piel fueron los más representativos.

Uso medicinal popular de plantas y líquenes de la Isla Paulino, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina / Popular medical use of plants and lichens from Paulino Island, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Este trabajo da a conocer las plantas utilizadas con fines terapéuticos en la Isla Paulino, ubicada en el Río de La Plata, al NE del Partido de Berisso, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Este sector aluvional abarca una superficie de 18 Km2. Se realizaron quince entrevistas, revisión de archivos, recolección de ejemplares vegetales “in-situ” y determinación sistemática de los mismos, consulta bibliográfica específica y registro fotográfico digital. Como resultado de esta investigación, se identificaron cuarenta especies vegetales y una especie de líquen, utilizadas por los lugareños, en medicina popular. Las especies vegetales más utilizadas en la isla son: Equisetum giganteum L. (Equisetaceae) y Aloe vera (L.) Burm f.. Se registraron los siguientes usos terapéuticos: abortivo, antiartrítico, antiasmático, anticefalágico, antidiabético, antiinflamatorio, antilítico, antinefrítico, antipediculósico, antipruritoso, antirreumático, antiséptico, antitusivo, cardiotónico, colirio, depurativo, digestivo, diurético, estomacal, expectorante, hepático, hipotensor, pectoral, purgante, refrescante y vulnerario.

This paper deals with the species of plants used for therapeutic purposes on the Paulino island, situated north-east of Berisso city, an alluvial sector that comprises an area of 18 km2. Fifteen persons were interviewed, and other data were gathered from the revision of files, collection of plants “in-situ” and later determination with optic instruments, specific bibliography and digital pictures. As a result of this research, we identified forty species of plants and one species of lichen used by villagers in popular medicine. The species mostly used were: Equisetum giganteum L.(Equisetaceae) and Aloe vera (L.) Burm f. (Asphodelaceae). The following therapeutic uses were recorded: abortifacient, antiarthritic, antiasthmatic, headache prevention (anticefalalgic), antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, antilytic, antinephritic, lice prevention (antipediculosic), antipruritouse, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antitussive (against coughing), cardiotonic, depurative, digestive, diuretic, stomach, expectorant, hepatic, hypotensive, pectoral, purgative, refreshing and vulnerary.

Conservación del ombusillo, planta amenazada de la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina / Conserving ombusillo, an endangered plant from the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Phytolacca tetramera Hauman "ombusillo", es una especie vegetal endémica del SE de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina, que se halla en peligro crítico de extinción. Su principal factor de amenaza es la reducción del hábitat por acción antrópica. Esta especie presenta principios activos fungicidas y, posiblemente, dada su afinidad con otras especies del mismo género, presente compuestos antivirales, antitumorales, bactericidas e insecticidas. Se realizaron ensayos de macropropagación con distintas concentraciones de reguladores de crecimiento de tipo auxínicos que muestran claramente un enraizamiento óptimo correspondiente a segmentos de ejes aéreos vegetales “estacas” sometidas a 300 ppm de ácido indol butírico y a segmentos de tallos subterráneos sin aplicación de hormonas. Así mismo, se realizaron ensayos de germinación, en condiciones de luz y de oscuridad, comprobándose que las semillas presentan fotoblastismo positivo con un porcentaje de germinación del 65%, el cual disminuye enormemente luego del año de cosecha.

Phytolacca tetramera Hauman "ombusillo" is an endemic plant species which is in critical danger of becoming extinct; it comes from the south-east of the province of Buenos Aires. The main factor threatening this species is the reduction of its natural environment by antropic action.This species has antifungal properties and, due to its relationship with other species from the same genus, it could also have antiviral, antitumour, antibacterial and insecticidal compounds. Macropropagation experiments were carried out using different concentrations of auxinic growth regulators. Segements of aerial axis “stakes” treated with 300 ppm of indol-butiric acid and segments of underground stems without hormonal treatment provided optimum rooting. Germination experiments in dark and light conditions were also carried out, finding that seeds showed positive photoblastisme with a 65% germination rate which declined considerably after the crop had been harvested.