Taxonomic revision of the native Magnolia (Magnoliaceae) species of Brazil.

The genus Magnolia (Magnoliaceae) has a wide and disjunct geographic distribution ranging from Eastern and South Asia to Malaysia, extending across the Neartics and reaching into the Neotropics. Regarding its infrageneric classification, the genus is divided into three subgenera: Yulania, Gynopodium and Magnolia, the latter including the section Talauma in which the native Brazilian taxa are classified. The species of Magnoliasect.Talauma can be recognized by two parallel longitudinal scars on the petiole formed by the shedding of the stipules, in addition to a woody syncarp that breaks into irregular plates at dehiscence. Currently, in Brazil, species recognition is not clear on national platforms that are widely used by the Brazilian botanical community (e.g. Flora do Brasil), with only two native Magnolia species being accepted: M.amazonica and M.ovata. The lack of knowledge about the species and their respective characteristics has resulted in many identification errors in Brazilian herbaria, which contributes to the lack of knowledge about their current conservation status. We conducted a complete taxonomic revision based on extensive fieldwork, a herbarium survey, along with literature study. Based on this, we propose to recognize three previously described species, supporting the acceptance of five native Magnolias occurring in Brazil, namely: M.amazonica, M.brasiliensis, M.irwiniana, M.ovata and M.sellowiana. However, we follow the Flora do Brasil in maintaining M.paranaensis as a synonym of M.ovata. Additionally, we designate a lectotype for M.sellowiana. We present morphological descriptions and the geographic distribution for each species, in addition to an identification key to all of these plus the two introduced ornamental species from Asia and North America, illustrations, photographs, ecological data, updated conservation status and taxonomic notes.

Nomenclatural notes on Menthinae (Mentheae - Lamiaceae) native to Brazil.

Menthinae, one of the five subtribes of Mentheae (Lamiaceae), with ca. 735 species, is represented in Brazil by a wide range of herbs and shrubs. During an investigation of the taxonomic history of the group for the Flora e Funga do Brasil project, several nomenclatural issues with typifications in the group have been identified. This study attempts to resolve them, making suggestions of new types and re-evaluation of synonyms. Thirteen lectotypifications and one neotypification are being proposed, along with the recognition of Thymus selloi Spreng. ex J.A.Schmidt as a nomen nudum. Most of the suggested changes are due to the loss of many of Sellow's types at B during WWII, lack of specific herbaria references and collector numbers in the protologues, or to existence of designated syntypes in the referred collections. Our study is a contribution to the nomenclatural and taxonomic knowledge of Menthinae, providing a stable foundation for future study of its taxonomy, biogeography, and evolution.

Phyllanthaceae in the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil / Phyllanthaceae na Mata Atlântica do Nordeste brasileiro

Abstract: The taxonomy of Phyllanthaceae Martinov in the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil was updated through the analysis of approximately 200 specimens deposited in regional herbaria as well as field observations. Thirty-five species were recorded, belonging to seven genera: Amanoa Aubl. (1 species), Astrocasia B.L. Rob. & Millsp. (1), Discocarpus Klotzsch (1), Hieronyma Allemão (2), Margaritaria L.f. (1), Phyllanthus L. (28), and Richeria Vahl (1). Of the 35, six are new records for Alagoas State, two for Rio Grande do Norte, four for Paraíba, and six for Sergipe. Among the recorded species, 18 are endemic to Brazil, and of those, 11 are endemic to the Brazilian northeast and nine are exclusive to the Atlantic Forest. An identification key, comments on their taxonomy, phenology and geographic distributions, species conservation status, distribution maps, and illustrations of the species are provided.

Resumo: Este estudo teve como objetivo atualizar a taxonomia de Phyllanthaceae Martinov na Mata Atlântica do Nordeste brasileiro, através da análise de aproximadamente 200 espécimes depositados nos herbários da região e observação das espécies em campo. Foram registradas 35 espécies, pertencentes a sete gêneros: Amanoa Aubl. (1 espécie), Astrocasia B.L. Rob. & Millsp. (1), Discocarpus Klotzsch (1), Hieronyma Allemão (2), Margaritaria L.f. (1), Phyllanthus L. (29), e Richeria Vahl (1). Das 35 espécies, seis são novos registros para Alagoas, dois para o Rio Grande do Norte, quatro para Paraíba e seis para Sergipe. Dentre as espécies registradas, 18 são endêmicas do Brasil, destas, onze são endêmicas do Nordeste e nove são exclusivas da Mata Atlântica. São fornecidos chave de identificação, comentários taxonômicos, fenológicos e de distribuição geográfica, bem como o status de conservação das espécies. Além disso, são apresentados mapas de distribuição e ilustrações das espécies.

Physicochemical Characterization and Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Myrciaria Floribunda (H. West ex Willd.) O. Berg Accessions.

Myrciaria floribunda, also known as rumberry, is a tree native to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, where its fruits have the potential for commercial use. This study evaluates the antioxidant potential, determines the phytochemical profile, and chemically characterizes the rumberry fruit. Accessions were sampled from the Rumberry Active Germplasm Bank of the Federal University of Alagoas, Brazil. Physical characteristics, chemical characteristics, and phenolic compound content were analyzed. Chemical profile characterization was carried out using PSMS. Accessions had an average weight of 0.86 g. Accession AC137 presented a higher pulp yield (1.12 g). AC132 and AC156 had larger fruits, AC137 showed greater firmness (5.93 N), and AC160 had a higher and total phenolic content ratio (279.01 ± 11.11). Orange-colored accessions scored higher in evaluated parameters, except for AC160 for phenolic content. Thirty-two compounds were identified on positive ionization mode and 42 compounds on negative ionization mode using PSMS. Flavonoids, followed by the derivatives of benzoic acid, sugars, and phenylpropanoids, were the most prominent. Myricitrin, quercitrin, and catechin stand out as flavonoids that have been reported in previous studies with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, in addition to health and therapeutical benefits, demonstrating the potential of the rumberry fruit.

Hepatotoxic Effect of Lafoensia pacari A. St. Hil. (Lythraceae) on a Diet-Induced Obese Mice Model.

BACKGROUND: Brazilian flora is rich in plants with medicinal properties, which though popular, has contributed to the development of a range of phytotherapic products that use plants to treat and cure diseases. However, studies that use Brazilian plants in the treatment of metabolic disorders are still scarce in the literature. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of hepatotoxicity Lafoensia pacari on the metabolism of mice with obesity induced by a high-fat diet and to verify the phytochemical difference between the Lafoensia pacari bark of the trunk, leaves, and branches. METHODS: The plant material was collected from April to May in the municipality of Bonito de Minas, MG, Brazil. Qualitative tests for the presence of secondary metabolite classes were performed for leaves, branches and bark of the trunk. Through histological analysis, we evaluated hepatocytes and cell lesions in the liver. RESULTS: The comparative phytochemical analysis of the plant did not reveal alterations between the different plant parts. The phytochemical test showed that is preferable to use the leaves to make the extract to be applied, aiming to reduce the plant aggression. After treatment, greater changes were observed in the animals that received the high-fat diet and the hydroethanolic extract; the levels of AST, ALT, albumin and creatinine that were increased, thus demonstrating a possible toxicity. There were no significant differences in body weight. In the histological analysis, the animals without plant treatment displayed decreased liver weight and reduction in the inflammatory infiltrate. CONCLUSION: We conclude that Lafoensia pacari should be better evaluated for oral consumption and may cause liver damage.

A threatened new species of Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) from the Brazilian Cerrado revealed by morpho-anatomical analysis.

A new species of Ipomoea, endemic to the Cerrado domain in Maranhão, Brazil, is described. Ipomoea maranhensis D.Santos & Buril, sp. nov. has been misidentified as I. burchellii Meisn. in several herbaria. Even though both species have oblong, pubescent leaves, they can be distinguished by morpho-anatomical characters. We present a diagnosis, complete description, illustration, taxonomic comments, conservation status and distribution map.

Flora of Pernambuco, Brazil: Tabebuia alliance and tribe Jacarandeae (Bignoniaceae) / Flora de Pernambuco, Brasil: Aliança Tabebuia e tribo Jacarandeae (Bignoniaceae)

Abstract: Bignoniaceae is a Pantropical plant family that includes 82 genera and 830 species of trees, lianas, and shrubs. The Tabebuia alliance (14 genera and 147 species) and tribe Jacarandeae (2 genera and 50 species) are both Neotropical and represent the largest clades of trees and shrubs in the family. Here, we present a taxonomic treatment for these two clades for the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Overall, we documented 23 species distributed in seven genera, i.e., Cybistax Mart. ex Meisn., Godmania Hemsl., Jacaranda Juss., Handroanthus Mattos, Sparattosperma Mart. ex Meisner, Tabebuia Gomes ex DC., and Zeyheria Mart. Six taxa are new records for the state, i.e., Cybistax antisyphilitica (Mart.) Mart., Handroanthus capitatus (Bureau & K. Schum) Mattos, Handroanthus umbellatus (Sond.) Mattos, Jacaranda cuspidifolia Mart., Sparattosperma catingae A.H. Gentry, and Tabebuia stenocalyx Sprague & Stapf. Furthermore, S. catingae, previously thought to be endemic to the Caatinga of Bahia, was documented for the first time in the Atlantic Forest domain. We present identification keys and taxonomic descriptions for all genera and species, as well as provide illustrations and information on the geographic distribution, habitat, and phenology for all species.

Resumo: Bignoniaceae é uma família de plantas pantropicais que inclui 82 gêneros e 830 espécies de árvores, lianas e arbustos. A aliança Tabebuia (14 gêneros e 147 espécies) e tribo Jacarandeae (2 gêneros e 50 espécies) são ambas neotropicais e representam os maiores clados de árvores e arbustos na família. Aqui, apresentamos um tratamento taxonômico para estes dois clados para o estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. No geral, nós documentamos 23 espécies distribuídas em 7 gêneros, i.e., Cybistax Mart. ex Meisn., Godmania Hemsl., Jacaranda Juss., Handroanthus Mattos, Sparattosperma Mart. ex Meisner, Tabebuia Gomes ex DC., e Zeyheria Mart. Seis táxons são novos registros para o estado, i.e., Cybistax antisyphilitica (Mart.) Mart., Handroanthus capitatus (Bureau & K. Schum) Mattos, Handroanthus umbellatus (Sond.) Mattos, Jacaranda cuspidifolia Mart., Sparattosperma catingae A.H. Gentry, e Tabebuia stenocalyx Sprague & Stapf. Além disso, S. catingae, que anteriormente se pensava ser endêmica da Caatinga da Bahia, foi documentada pela primeira vez no domínio da Mata Atlântica. Nós apresentamos chaves de identificação e descrições taxonômicas para todos os gêneros e espécies, assim como fornecemos ilustrações e informações sobre a distribuição geográfica, habitat e fenologia para todas as espécies.

A sticky and heavily armed new species of Solanum (Solanumsubg.Leptostemonum, Solanaceae) from eastern Brazil.

We describe a new species of spiny Solanum (Solanumsubg.Leptostemonum), endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and associated with granitic outcrops (inselbergs or sugar loaf mountains). Solanumkollastrum Gouvêa & Giacomin, sp. nov. is morphologically similar to the poorly known S.sublentum Hiern, but is a heavily armed, much more robust plant with stellate-glandular indumentum. Together with S.sublentum, it is morphologically related to some species of Solanum such as S.hexandrum Vell., S.robustum H.Wendl., and S.stagnale Moric. that share strongly accrescent calyces, large leaves with the bases decurrent on to the petiole, pendent simple inflorescences and large, robust flowers. The new species is restricted to a few known populations in southern Bahia and north-eastern Minas Gerais states and conservation efforts are needed.

ResumoNeste trabalho descrevemos uma nova espécie aculeada de Solanum (Solanumsubg.Leptostemonum) endêmica da Floresta Atlântica brasileira, associada a afloramentos graníticos (inselbergs ou pães de açúcar). Solanumkollastrum Gouvêa & Giacomin, sp. nov. é morfologicamente semelhante a S.sublentum Hiern, mas difere desta pelo hábito mais robusto e pelos ramos fortemente armados e recobertos por tricomas estrelados glandulares. Juntamente com S.sublentum, S.kollastrum é morfologicamente relacionada com algumas espécies sul-americanas que possuem cálices frutíferos fortemente acrescentes, folhas grandes com a base da lâmina decurrente no pecíolo, inflorescências pendentes simples e flores robustas, como S.hexandrum Vell., S.robustum H.Wendl. e S.stagnale Moric.. A espécie possui distribuição restrita ao sul da Bahia e nordeste de Minas Gerais, com poucas populações conhecidas, e necessita de esforços para conservação.

A new combination and taxonomic notes in Pseudobombax Dugand (Malvaceae).

Taxonomic notes in the Neotropical genus Pseudobombax (Malvaceae) are presented. One new combination and two new heterotypic synonyms for taxa originally described from Brazil and Ecuador are proposed based on both morphological and previously published molecular evidence. The taxonomic changes will be adopted in a treatment of Pseudobombax for the upcoming Brazilian Flora 2020 and in a forthcoming revision of the genus throughout its range.

Essential Oils from Leaves of Medicinal Plants of Brazilian Flora: Chemical Composition and Activity against Candida Species.

Background: The biotechnological potential of medicinal plants from Brazilian Caatinga and the Atlantic Forest has not been extensively studied. Thus, screening programs are important in prospecting for compounds for developing new drugs. The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical composition and to evaluate the anti-Candida activity of essential oils from leaves of Hymenaea courbaril var. courbaril, Myroxylon peruiferum, and Vismia guianensis. Methods: The oils were extracted through hydrodistillation and their chemical compositions were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Antifungal activity against C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, and C. krusei was evaluated by determining the minimal inhibitory (MIC) and fungicidal (MFC) concentrations. Results: The major compounds of the oils were caryophyllene oxide and trans-caryophyllene for H. courbaril; spathulenol, α-pinene, and caryophyllene oxide for M. peruiferum; and caryophyllene oxide and humulene epoxide II for V. guianensis oil. The oils showed antifungal activity against all the strains tested, and the MIC values ranged between 0.625 and 1.25 µL/mL and MFC from 0.625 to 2.5 µL/mL. Conclusion: The essential oils from the species studied have the potential to be evaluated as clinical applications in the treatment of candidiasis.

Derivatives of furanditerpenes from Pterodon genus: Pharmacological studies disclose their potential as chronic pain relief in mice.

Pterodon genus fruits are commercially available at the Brazilian medicinal market used in folk medicine due to their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-rheumatic effects. Previous studies demonstrated that furanditerpenes possessing vouacapan skeleton, isolated from Pterodon genus, possess expressive antinociceptive activities, with promising moiety for the development of new analgesic products. The antinociceptive properties of compounds 6α,7ß-6α-hidroxivouacapan-7ß-17ß-lactone (HVL) and 6α-oxovouacapan-7ß-17ß-lactone (OVL), semi-synthetic analogues of furanditerpenes previously reported as analgesic agents were evaluated on animal experimental models (Spindola et al., 2010, 2011). The chemical-induced pain methods used in the present work, demonstrated for the first time that both compounds HVL and OVL have potential as important templates for the development of chronic pain control drugs. The main findings of this work were that both compounds were: effective in the writhing test; reduced paw edema in the carrageenan test; effective in the inflammatory phase of the formalin test corroborating their activity against inflammatory pain conditions; effective on reducing pain through the stimulation of vanilloid receptors sensible to capsaicin (an important pathway for chronic pain maintenance); reduced the pain stimulus caused by PGE2 injection (a pathway involved in chronic pain hypersensitivity); effective on decreasing mechanical allodynia in the CFA-model, demonstrating their potential use against chronic pain disorders.

Phanerogamic flora and vegetation of Itacolomi State Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil / Flora Fanerogâmica e Vegetação do Parque Estadual do Itacolomi, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Abstract Located in the municipalities of Ouro Preto and Mariana, in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (QF) of Minas Gerais, the Itacolomi State Park (ISP) shelters more than 7,000 ha of remnants of Atlantic Forest and campos rupestres. The QF region has high biodiversity and is being highly impacted, mainly by mining activities. Aiming to organize the available floristic information and to support related research, this study presents the list of phanerogamic species of the ISP and the major vegetation types. This survey was carried out from October/1992 to July/2006, by monthly field trips. Besides authors´ personal collections, other records were assembled from herbarium databank. A total of 1623 taxons belonging to 122 families were listed. The families with higher species richness were Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Melastomataceae, Poaceae and Orchidaceae. The vegetation is represented by campos rupestres (51% of the total area), followed by montane forests (40%) and anthropogenic disturbed areas (9%). The greatest species richness occurs in campos rupestres. Several species are threatened and/or endemic. The knowledge of phanerogamic flora of ISP can help the Management Plan of this Unit of Conservation. It is also a contribution for future-related studies of the flora of ISP, Minas Gerais and Brazil.

Resumo O Parque Estadual do Itacolomi (PEIT) localiza-se nos municípios de Ouro Preto e Mariana, no Quadrilátero Ferrífero de Minas Gerais e abriga mais de 7.000 ha de remanescentes de mata atlântica e campos rupestres. A região do QF possui alta biodiversidade vegetal e está sobre alto impacto, principalmente pela mineração. O objetivo deste estudo foi apresentar a lista das espécies fanerogâmicas e os principais tipos vegetacionais desse Parque, no intuito de organizar a diversidade florística existente, além de servir como suporte para pesquisas correlatas subsequentes. O levantamento florístico foi realizado de outubro/1992 a julho/2006 por excursões mensais ao campo. Foram também incluídas na listagem registros ocorrentes em banco de dados de herbários. Foram identificados 1623 táxons, pertencentes à 122 famílias. As famílias mais representativas foram Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Melastomataceae, Poaceae e Orchidaceae. A vegetação do PEIT é constituída por campos rupestres (51% da área do parque), seguido pelas florestas montanas (40%) e por formações antrópicas (9%). A maior riqueza de espécies ocorre nos campos rupestres. Diversas espécies figuram em listas de espécies ameaçadas de extinção e outras são endêmicas. O conhecimento da flora fanerogâmica do Parque Estadual do Itacolomi pode subsidiar o Plano de Manejo dessa Unidade de Conservação e contribuir para futuros trabalhos correlatos nesta área, além de suprir conhecimentos para a flora de Minas Gerais e do Brasil.