High-Resolution Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics for the Classification of Chuquiraga (Barnadesioideae, Asteraceae): New Phenylpropanoid Derivatives as Chemical Markers for Chuquiraga spinosa.

Despite their relatively poorly investigated phytochemistry, species of the genus Chuquiraga are widely commercialized. The present study reports the use of a high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approach coupled with exploratory and supervised multivariate statistical analyses for species classification and chemical marker identification of four species of Chuquiraga (C. jussieui, C. weberbaueri, C. spinosa, and Chuquiraga sp.) from Ecuador and Peru. Based on these analyses, a high percentage of correct classifications (87% to 100%) allowed the prediction of the taxonomic identity of Chuquiraga species. Through the metabolite selection process, several key constituents with the potential to be chemical markers were identified. Samples of C. jussieui displayed alkyl glycosides and triterpenoid glycosides as discriminating metabolites, while Chuquiraga sp. displayed high concentrations of p-hydroxyacetophenone, p-hydroxyacetophenone 4-O-glucoside, p-hydroxyacetophenone 4-O-(6-O-apiosyl)-glucoside, and quinic acid ester derivatives as the main metabolites. Caffeic acid was characteristic for C. weberbaueri samples, whereas C. spinosa displayed higher concentrations of the following new phenylpropanoid ester derivatives: 2-O-caffeoyl-4-hydroxypentanedioic acid (24), 2-O-p-coumaroyl-4-hydroxypentanedioic acid (34), 2-O-feruloyl-4-hydroxypentanedioic acid (46), 2,4-O-dicaffeoylpentanedioic acid (71), and 2-O-caffeoyl-4-O-feruloylpentanedioic acid (77).

Target sequence capture of Barnadesioideae (Compositae) demonstrates the utility of low coverage loci in phylogenomic analyses.

Target sequence capture has emerged as a powerful method to sequence hundreds or thousands of genomic regions in a cost- and time-efficient approach. In most cases, however, targeted regions lack full sequence information for certain samples, due to taxonomic, laboratory, or stochastic factors. Loci lacking molecular data for a large number of samples are commonly excluded from downstream analyses, even though they may still contain valuable information. On the other hand, including data-poor loci may bias phylogenetic analyses. Here we use a target sequence capture dataset of an ecologically and taxonomically diverse group of spiny sunflowers (Asteraceae, or Compositae: Barnadesioideae) to test how the inclusion or exclusion of such data-poor loci affects phylogenetic inference. We investigate the sensitivity of concatenation and coalescent approaches to missing data with matrices of varying taxonomic completeness by filtering loci with different proportions of missing samples prior to data analysis. We find that missing data affect both the topology and branch support of the resulting phylogenies. The matrix containing all loci yielded the overall highest node support values, independently of the amount of missing nucleotides. These results provide empirical support to earlier suggestions based on single genes and data simulations that taxa with high amounts of missing data should not be readily dismissed as they can provide essential information for phylogenomic reconstruction.

A tree nymph of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: Dryades (Galipeinae, Rutaceae), a new neotropical genus segregated from Conchocarpus.

Subtribe Galipeinae (tribe Galipeeae) is the most diverse group of Rutaceae (the orange family) in the Neotropics, with 27 genera and ca. 130 species. The largest genus in the subtribe is Conchocarpus, with ca. 50 species, distributed from Central America to southern Brazil, and is particularly diverse in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The circumscription of the genus was recently changed to accommodate the species of Almeidea. However, even with this inclusion, Conchocarpus did not appear as monophyletic because the position of C. concinnus, which appeared in a clade with the other genera of Galipeinae rather than in the clade with the other species of Conchocarpus. The objective of the present study is to investigate the phylogenetic position of four other species of Conchocarpus (hereafter called "C. gauchaudianus group") that share morphological traits and geographical distribution with C. concinnus suggesting a close phylogenetic affinity. Phylogenetic analyses were based on morphological and molecular data from nuclear regions ITS-1 and ITS-2 as well as plastid regions trnL-trnF and rps-16, and were conducted with parsimony and Bayesian inference as optimization criteria. Results showed Conchocarpus as polyphyletic with its species divided in two clades, one, herein called "the Conchocarpus sensu stricto group," includes the type species C. macrophyllus, and the other "the Conchocarpus gaudichaudianus group" includes C. concinnus. The latter group is here recognized as a new genus, Dryades, the name given by Carl Friederich von Martius (1794-1868) to the Domain of the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, inspired by the tree nymphs in Greek mythology. Floral structure and leaf morphology provided further support to the findings of phylogenetic analysis. A description of the new genus, new combinations, a key to the species of the new genus, discussions of the affinities of the species are also provided, as well as data on the conservation status of the species of Dryades. Additionally, new data on floral structure of C. heterophyllus, C. macrophyllus and C. minutiflorus (all from the Conchocarpus sensu stricto group) are provided.

Trypanocidal Activity of Dysphania ambrosioides, Lippia alba, and Tetradenia riparia Essential Oils against Trypanosoma cruzi.

Despite the current treatments against Chagas Disease (CD), this vector-borne parasitic disease remains a serious public health concern. In this study, we have explored the in vitro and/or in vivo trypanocidal and cytotoxic activities of the essential oils (EOs) obtained from Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants (Amaranthaceae) (DA-EO), Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown (Verbenaceae) (LA-EO), and Tetradenia riparia (Hochst.) Codd (Lamiaceae) (TR-EO) grown in Brazil Southeast. DA-EO was the most active against the trypomastigote and amastigote forms in vitro; the IC50 values were 8.7 and 12.2 µg mL-1 , respectively. The EOs displayed moderate toxicity against LLCMK2 cells, but the DA-EO showed high selectivity index (SI) for trypomastigote (SI=33.2) and amastigote (SI=11.7) forms. Treatment with 20 mg/kg DA-EO, LA-EO, or TR-EO for 20 days by intraperitoneal administration reduced parasitemia by 6.36 %, 4.74 %, and 32.68 % on day 7 and by 12.04 %, 27.96 %, and 65.5 % on day 9. These results indicated that DA-EO, LA-EO, and TR-EO have promising trypanocidal potential in vitro, whereas TR-EO has also potential trypanocidal effects in vivo.

Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub. and Symphonia globulifera L.f.: The Botanical Sources of Isoflavonoids and Benzophenones in Brazilian Red Propolis.

The Brazilian red propolis (BRP) constitutes an important commercial asset for northeast Brazilian beekeepers. The role of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub. (Fabaceae) as the main botanical source of this propolis has been previously confirmed. However, in addition to isoflavonoids and other phenolics, which are present in the resin of D. ecastaphyllum, samples of BRP are reported to contain substantial amounts of polyprenylated benzophenones, whose botanical source was unknown. Therefore, field surveys, phytochemical and chromatographic analyses were undertaken to confirm the botanical sources of the red propolis produced in apiaries located in Canavieiras, Bahia, Brazil. The results confirmed D. ecastaphyllum as the botanical source of liquiritigenin (1), isoliquiritigenin (2), formononetin (3), vestitol (4), neovestitol (5), medicarpin (6), and 7-O-neovestitol (7), while Symphonia globulifera L.f. (Clusiaceae) is herein reported for the first time as the botanical source of polyprenylated benzophenones, mainly guttiferone E (8) and oblongifolin B (9), as well as the triterpenoids ß-amyrin (10) and glutinol (11). The chemotaxonomic and economic significance of the occurrence of polyprenylated benzophenones in red propolis is discussed.

Chemosensitizing Effect of Cernumidine Extracted from Solanum cernuum on Bladder Cancer Cells in Vitro.

Cernumidine (CER) is a guanidinic alkaloid isolated from Solanum cernuum leaves. In this work, we investigated the cytotoxicity, chemosensitizing effect of cernumidine to cisplatin (cDDP) and the possible mechanism of action of the combination on bladder cancer cells. Cernumidine showed cytotoxicity and could sensitize bladder cancer cells to cisplatin. The combination of CER+cDDP inhibited cell migration on T24 cells. CER+cDDP down-regulated MMP-2/9 and p-ERK1/2, while it increased EGFR activity corroborating the observed cell migration inhibition. Down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation pro-apoptotic Bax and further depletion of the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) indicates that mitochondria play a central role in the combination treatment inducing the mitochondrial signaling pathway of apoptosis in T24 cells. Our data showed that the alkaloid cernumidine is worthy of further studies as a chemosensitizing agent to be used in complementary chemotherapy.

Phylogeny and biogeography of the pantropical genus Zanthoxylum and its closest relatives in the proto-Rutaceae group (Rutaceae).

Zanthoxylum L. (prickly ash) is the only genus in the Citrus L. family (Rutaceae) with a pantropical distribution. We present the first detailed phylogenetic and biogeographic study of the genus and its close relatives in the proto-Rutaceae group. Our phylogenetic analyses based on two plastid and two nuclear markers show that the genus Toddalia Juss. is nested within Zanthoxylum, that earlier generic and intrageneric classifications need revision, and that the homochlamydeous flowers of the temperate species of Zanthoxylum are the result of a reduction from heterochlamydeous flowers. The biogeographic analyses reveal a Eurasian origin of Zanthoxylum in the Paleocene or Eocene with successive intercontinental or long-range migrations. Zanthoxylum likely crossed the North Atlantic Land Bridges to colonize the Americas in the Eocene, and migrated back to the Old World probably via the Bering Land Bridge in the Oligocene or Miocene. Zanthoxylum also colonized several Pacific Islands and the Hawaiian clade shows phylogenetic incongruence between the plastid and nuclear datasets, suggesting hybridization. The Hawaiian species are one of the rare examples of endemic Hawaiian lineages that are older than the current main islands.

Chemical Composition, Antibacterial, Schistosomicidal, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants (Chenopodiaceae).

We have investigated the chemical composition and the antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants (Chenopodiaceae) (DA-EO) against a representative panel of cariogenic bacteria. We have also assessed the in vitro schistosomicidal effects of DA-EO on Schistosoma mansoni and its cytotoxicity to GM07492-A cells in vitro. Gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) revealed that the monoterpenes cis-piperitone oxide (35.2%), p-cymene (14.5%), isoascaridole (14.1%), and α-terpinene (11.6%) were identified by as the major constituents of DA-EO. DA-EO displayed weak activity against Streptococcus sobrinus and Enterococcus faecalis (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 1000 µg/ml). On the other hand, DA-EO at 25 and 12.5 µg/ml presented remarkable schistosomicidal action in vitro and killed 100% of adult worm pairs within 24 and 72 h, respectively. The LC50 values of DA-EO were 6.50 ± 0.38, 3.66 ± 1.06, and 3.65 ± 0.76 µg/ml at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. However, DA-EO at concentrations higher than 312.5 µg/ml significantly reduced the viability of GM07492-A cells (IC50  = 207.1 ± 4.4 µg/ml). The selectivity index showed that DA-EO was 31.8 times more toxic to the adult S. mansoni worms than GM07492-A cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate the promising schistosomicidal potential of the essential oil of Dysphania ambrosioides.

Anthelmintic effects of the essential oil of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Apiaceae) against Schistosoma mansoni.

Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (Apiaceae), known as fennel, is a widespread aromatic herbaceous plant, and its essential oil is used as additive in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and perfume industries. The in vitro antischistosomal activity and cytotoxic effects against V79 cells of the essential oil of F. vulgare cultivated in southeastern Brazil (FV-EO) was investigated. The FV-EO was obtained by hydrodistillation and characterized by GC-FID and GC/MS analyses. (E)-Anethole (69.8%) and limonene (22.5%) were identified as the major constituents. Its anthelmintic activity against Schistosoma mansoni was evaluated at concentrations of 10, 50, and 100 µg/ml, and it was found to be active against adult S. mansoni worms, although it was less effective than the positive control praziquantel (PZQ) in terms of separation of the coupled pairs, mortality, and decreased motor activity. However, FV-EO elicited an interesting dose-dependent reduction in the number of S. mansoni eggs. On their own, (E)-anethole and the limonene enantiomers were much less effective than FV-EO and PZQ. An XTT-cytotoxicity-based assay evidenced no FV-EO cytotoxicity against V79 cells. In summary, FV-EO displayed moderate in vitro schistosomicidal activity against adult S. mansoni worms, exerted remarkable inhibitory effects on the egg development, and was of low toxicity.

Eucalyptus botryoides' resin and its new 2-O-galloyl-1,6-O-di-trans-p-coumaroyl-ß-D-glycopyranoside compound display good antimicrobial activity.

Fungal resistance to different therapeutic drugs has become a growing challenge. This crucial health problem requires new effective drug alternatives. Herein, we report the study of Eucalyptus botryoides' resin used in folk medicine as antimicrobial. Thus, E. botryoides' resin was extracted with aqueous-ethanol and fractionated using Sephadex chromatography, furnishing its major compounds. The crude extracts and the isolated compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against bacteria and yeasts. The crude extract displayed MIC of 25 µg/mL against S. salivarius, and for C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. tropicalis the MIC were between 2.9 and 5.9 µg/mL. The 7-O-Methyl-aromadendrin was the most effective against C. glabrata and C. krusei (MIC = 1.6 µg/mL). 2-O-Galloyl-1,6-O-di-trans-p-coumaroyl-ß-D-glycopyranoside, first time reported, showed MIC of 3.1 µg/mL against C. glabrata and C. krusei. Overall, this work gave promising results, indicating that Eucalyptus botryoides' resin and its compounds have the potential for developing anti-yeast products.

Phylogenomic analyses of Sapindales support new family relationships, rapid Mid-Cretaceous Hothouse diversification, and heterogeneous histories of gene duplication.

Sapindales is an angiosperm order of high economic and ecological value comprising nine families, c. 479 genera, and c. 6570 species. However, family and subfamily relationships in Sapindales remain unclear, making reconstruction of the order's spatio-temporal and morphological evolution difficult. In this study, we used Angiosperms353 target capture data to generate the most densely sampled phylogenetic trees of Sapindales to date, with 448 samples and c. 85% of genera represented. The percentage of paralogous loci and allele divergence was characterized across the phylogeny, which was time-calibrated using 29 rigorously assessed fossil calibrations. All families were supported as monophyletic. Two core family clades subdivide the order, the first comprising Kirkiaceae, Burseraceae, and Anacardiaceae, the second comprising Simaroubaceae, Meliaceae, and Rutaceae. Kirkiaceae is sister to Burseraceae and Anacardiaceae, and, contrary to current understanding, Simaroubaceae is sister to Meliaceae and Rutaceae. Sapindaceae is placed with Nitrariaceae and Biebersteiniaceae as sister to the core Sapindales families, but the relationships between these families remain unclear, likely due to their rapid and ancient diversification. Sapindales families emerged in rapid succession, coincident with the climatic change of the Mid-Cretaceous Hothouse event. Subfamily and tribal relationships within the major families need revision, particularly in Sapindaceae, Rutaceae and Meliaceae. Much of the difficulty in reconstructing relationships at this level may be caused by the prevalence of paralogous loci, particularly in Meliaceae and Rutaceae, that are likely indicative of ancient gene duplication events such as hybridization and polyploidization playing a role in the evolutionary history of these families. This study provides key insights into factors that may affect phylogenetic reconstructions in Sapindales across multiple scales, and provides a state-of-the-art phylogenetic framework for further research.

Atlantic flower-invertebrate interactions: A data set of occurrence and frequency of floral visits.

Encounters between flowers and invertebrates are key events for the functioning of tropical forests. Assessing the structure of networks composed of the interactions between those partners leads to a better understanding of ecosystem functioning and the effects of environmental factors on ecological processes. Gathering such data is, however, costly and time-consuming, especially in the highly diverse tropics. We aimed to provide a comprehensive repository of available flower-invertebrate interaction information for the Atlantic Forest, a South American tropical forest domain. Data were obtained from published works and "gray literature," such as theses and dissertations, as well as self-reports by co-authors. The data set has ~18,000 interaction records forming 482 networks, each containing between one and 1061 interaction links. Each network was sampled for about 200 h or less, with few exceptions. A total of 641 plant genera within 136 different families and 39 orders were reported, with the most abundant and rich families being Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Rubiaceae. Invertebrates interacting with these plants were all arthropods from 10 orders, 129 families, and 581 genera, comprising 2419 morphotypes (including 988 named species). Hymenoptera was the most abundant and diverse order, with at least six times more records than the second-ranked order (Lepidoptera). The complete data set shows Hymenoptera interacting with all plant orders and also shows Diptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hemiptera to be important nodes. Among plants, Asterales and Fabales had the highest number of interactions. The best sampled environment was forest (~8000 records), followed by pastures and crops. Savanna, grasslands, and urban environments (among others) were also reported, indicating a wide range of approaches dedicated to collecting flower-invertebrate interaction data in the Atlantic Forest domain. Nevertheless, most reported data were from forest understory or lower strata, indicating a knowledge gap about flower-invertebrate interactions at the canopy. Also, access to remote regions remains a limitation, generating sampling bias across the geographical range of the Atlantic Forest. Future studies in these continuous and hard-to-access forested areas will yield important new information regarding the interactions between flowers and invertebrates in the Atlantic Forest. There are no copyright restrictions on the data set. Please cite this data paper if the data are used in publications and teaching events.

Effect of hydroalcoholic extract from Copaifera langsdorffii leaves on urolithiasis induced in rats.

Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. commonly known as "copaíba", produce a commercially valuable oil-resin that is extensively used in folk medicine for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiseptic purposes. We have found the hydroalcoholic extract of this plant leaf has the potential to treat urolithiasis, a problem affecting ~7% of the population. To isolate the functional compounds C. langsdorffii leaves were dried, ground, and macerated in a hydroalcoholic solution 7:3 to produce a 16.8% crude extract after solvent elimination. Urolithiasis was induced by introduction of a calcium oxalate pellet (CaOx) into the bladders of adult male Wistar rats. The treated groups received the crude extract by oral gavage at 20 mg/kg body weight daily for 18 days. Extract treatment started 30 days after CaOx seed implantation. To monitor renal function sodium, potassium and creatinine concentrations were analyzed in urine and plasma, and were found to be in the normal range. Analyses of pH, magnesium, phosphate, calcium, uric acid, oxalate and citrate levels were evaluated to determine whether the C. langsdorffii extract may function as a stone formation prevention agent. The HPLC analysis of the extract identified flavonoids quercitrin and afzelin as the major components. Animals treated with C. langsdorffii have increased levels of magnesium and decreased levels of uric acid in urinary excretions. Treated animals have a significant decrease in the mean number of calculi and a reduction in calculi mass. Calculi taken from extract treated animals were more brittle and fragile than calculi from untreated animals. Moreover, breaking calculi from untreated animals required twice the amount of pressure as calculi from treated animals (6.90 ± 3.45 vs. 3.00 ± 1.51). The extract is rich in flavonoid heterosides and other phenolic compounds. Therefore, we hypothesize this class of compounds might contribute significantly to the observed activity.

In vitro schistosomicidal activity of some brazilian cerrado species and their isolated compounds.

Miconia langsdorffii Cogn. (Melastomataceae), Roupala montana Aubl. (Proteaceae), Struthanthus syringifolius (Mart.) (Loranthaceae), and Schefflera vinosa (Cham. & Schltdl.) Frodin (Araliaceae) are plant species from the Brazilian Cerrado whose schistosomicidal potential has not yet been described. The crude extracts, fractions, the triterpenes betulin, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and the flavonoids quercetin 3-O-ß-D-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-ß-D-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside and isorhamnetin 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside were evaluated in vitro against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms and the bioactive n-hexane fractions of the mentioned species were also analyzed by GC-MS. Betulin was able to cause worm death percentage values of 25% after 120 h (at 100 µM), and 25% and 50% after 24 and 120 h (at 200 µM), respectively; besides the flavonoid quercetin 3-O-ß-D-rhamnoside promoted 25% of death of the parasites at 100 µM. Farther the flavonoids quercetin 3-O-ß-D-glucoside and quercetin 3-O-ß-D-rhamnoside at 100 µM exhibited significantly reduction in motor activity, 75% and 87.5%, respectively. Biological results indicated that crude extracts of R. montana, S. vinosa, and M. langsdorffii and some n-hexane and EtOAc fractions of this species were able to induce worm death to some extent. The results suggest that lupane-type triterpenes and flavonoid monoglycosides should be considered for further antiparasites studies.

Development and validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography method for quantification of egonol and homoegonol in Styrax species.

Styrax camporum Pohl, known in Brazil as 'estoraque do campo' or 'cuia de brejo', has been used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. The therapeutic action of S. camporum has been attributed to the ethyl acetate fraction, although the chemical composition of this fraction has not yet been analyzed. In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatography photodiode array detection (HPLC-PAD) method for analysis of Brazilian Styrax species has been developed. The compounds egonol (1) and homoegonol (2) were found to be present in all the samples investigated by HPLC. These compounds were isolated by open column chromatography followed by preparative TLC, and were identified by ¹H NMR. Compounds 1 and 2 were thus proposed as phytochemical markers for Styrax, owing to their biological properties and presence in other Styrax species. The developed method has been validated and successfully applied for quantification of 1 and 2 in S. camporum dried leaves and crude ethanolic extracts from S. ferrugineus and S. pohlii aerial parts.

Schistosomicidal evaluation of flavonoids from two species of Styrax against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms.

CONTEXT: Schistosomiasis is a major health problem worldwide. Thus, the search for new schistosomicidal agents from natural sources can provide prototypes for drug discovery. OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the chemical composition of the EtOAc fractions of Styrax pohlii Pohl (Styracaceae) (EF-SP) aerial parts and S. camporum A. DC. leaves (EF-SC), as well as schistosomicidal activities against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms, which have not yet been studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The crude ethanol extracts of S. camporum leaves and S. pohlii aerial parts (EE-SC and EE-SP) were partitioned with n-hexane, EtOAc, and n-BuOH. The EtOAc fractions were purified by preparative HPLC. The crude extracts, EtOAc fractions and pure compounds were tested against S. mansoni adult worms in vitro. RESULTS: The purification procedure resulted in the isolation of kaempferol-3-O-(2'',4''-di-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl)-ß-d-glucopyranoside (1), kaempferol-3-O-(2'',6''-di-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl)-ß-d-glucopyranoside (2), quercetin (3), and kaempferol (4). The bioassay results indicated that EE-SC, EF-SC, EF-SP, and compounds 2 and 4 are able to separate coupled S. mansoni adult worms. Additionally, EE-SC, EF-SP, and compound 4 killed the adult schistosomes in vitro at 100 µg/mL and 100 µM. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This is the first time that the presence of compounds 1-2 in S. pohlii and 3-4 in S. camporum has been reported. Additionally, biological results indicated that S. pohlii and S. camporum have great potential as a source of active compounds.

Future warming will change the chemical composition and leaf blade structure of tropical C3 and C4 forage species depending on soil moisture levels.

Temperature and soil moisture strongly affect the nutritional value and digestibility of forage plants through changes in leaf chemical composition or the proportion of leaf blade tissues. In this study, we aimed to evaluate leaf blade anatomical modifications of two tropical forage species, Stylosanthes capitata (C3) and Megathyrsus maximus (C4) under warmed conditions (+2 °C) at well-watered and rainfed conditions and investigate the interactions between leaf anatomical alterations, leaf chemical composition, and leaf digestibility. Experiments were conducted under field conditions using a Temperature-free air-controlled enhancement (T-FACE) system. We observed that plants under elevated temperature produced leaves with smaller stomata and thinner mesophyll tissue and reduced total leaf thickness, potentially impacting gas exchange. On the other hand, reduced soil moisture increased stomatal density and thickness of the adaxial epidermis. In both species, leaf fibrous fractions concentration increased under warmed and non-irrigated conditions, while crude protein concentration and digestibility decreased. However, leaf digestibility was associated with leaf chemical composition rather than the proportion of different leaf blade tissues. We concluded that although both species developed leaf anatomical modifications to acclimate under future warming conditions, leaf nutritional value and digestibility will be reduced, potentially impacting future livestock production and methane emissions by ruminants.

ATLANTIC POLLINATION: a data set of flowers and interaction with nectar-feeding vertebrates from the Atlantic Forest.

Flowering plant species and their nectar-feeding vertebrates exemplify some of the most remarkable biotic interactions in the Neotropics. In the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, several species of birds (especially hummingbirds), bats, and non-flying mammals, as well as one lizard feed on nectar, often act as pollinators and contribute to seed output of flowering plants. We present a dataset containing information on flowering plants visited by nectar-feeding vertebrates and sampled at 166 localities in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. This dataset provides information on 1902 unique interactions among 515 species of flowering plants and 129 species of potential vertebrate pollinators and the patterns of species diversity across latitudes. All plant-vertebrate interactions compiled were recorded through direct observations of visits, and no inferences of pollinators based on floral syndromes were included. We also provide information on the most common plant traits used to understand the interactions between flowers and nectar-feeding vertebrates: plant growth form, corolla length, rate of nectar production per hour in bagged flowers, nectar concentration, flower color and shape, time of anthesis, presence or absence of perceptible fragrance by human, and flowering phenology as well as the plant's threat status by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classification. For the vertebrates, status of threat by IUCN classification, body mass, bill or rostrum size are provided. Information on the frequency of visits and pollen deposition on the vertebrate's body is provided from the original source when available. The highest number of unique interactions is recorded for birds (1771) followed by bats (110). For plants, Bromeliaceae contains the highest number of unique interactions (606), followed by Fabaceae (242) and Gesneriaceae (104). It is evident that there was geographical bias of the studies throughout the southeast of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and that most effort was directed to flower-hummingbird interactions. However, it reflects a worldwide tendency of more plants interacting with birds compared with other vertebrate species. The lack of similar protocols among studies to collect basic data limits the comparisons among areas and generalizations. Nevertheless, this dataset represents a notable effort to organize and highlight the importance of vertebrate pollinators in this hotspot of biodiversity on Earth and represents the data currently available. No copyright or proprietary restrictions are associated with the use of this data set. Please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications or scientific events.

Chemical composition and in vitro schistosomicidal activity of the essential oil of Plectranthus neochilus grown in Southeast Brazil.

The chemical composition and the in vitro schistosomicidal effects of the essential oil of Plectranthus neochilus (PN-EO) grown in Southeast Brazil was studied. ß-Caryophyllene (1; 28.23%), α-thujene (2; 12.22%), α-pinene (3; 12.63%), ß-pinene (4; 6.19%), germacrene D (5; 5.36%), and caryophyllene oxide (6; 5.37%) were the major essential oil constituents. This chemical composition differed from that previously reported for specimens harvested in Africa. Concerning the in vitro schistosomicidal activity against adult Schistosoma mansoni worms, PN-EO was considered to be active, but less effective than the positive control praziquantel (PZQ) in terms of separation of coupled pairs, mortality, decrease in the motor activity, and tegumental alterations. However, PN-EO caused an interesting dose-dependent reduction in the number and the percentage of developed S. mansoni eggs. These results suggest that PN-EO might be very promising for the development of new schistosomicidal agents.

Antileishmanial activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Miconia langsdorffii, isolated compounds, and semi-synthetic derivatives.

The in vitro activity of the crude hydroalcoholic extract of the aerial parts of Miconia langsdorffii Cogn. was evaluated against the promastigote forms of L. amazonensis, the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans. The bioassay-guided fractionation of this extract led to identification of the triterpenes ursolic acid and oleanolic acid as the major compounds in the fraction that displayed the highest activity. Several ursolic acid semi-synthetic derivatives were prepared, to find out whether more active compounds could be obtained. Among these ursolic acid-derived substances, the C-28 methyl ester derivative exhibited the best antileishmanial activity.