Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action (in vivo and in vitro) from the trunk barks of Cabreúva (Myrocarpus frondosus Allemao, Fabaceae).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Myrocarpus frondosus, known as cabreúva, is a tree whose trunk barks are used in folk medicine as tea, syrup, ointments, and tinctures for the treatment of inflammation. However, there is no scientific evidence demonstrating this activity. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present investigation was focused on evaluating the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of M. frondosus, using the in vitro model of RAW 264.7 macrophages induced by LPS and the in vivo model of mouse pleurisy induced by carrageenan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: M. frondosus trunk barks were dried at room temperature for seven days and subjected to exhaustive maceration with ethanol (70%) to obtain its crude extract (CE). CE was subjected to UPLC-HRMS analysis to establish its chemical profile. Its antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH method, reducing power by the iron (III) to iron (II) reduction assay and the ß-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching assay. The RAW 264.7 macrophages were pretreated with the CE in a non-cytotoxic concentration and induced by LPS (1 µg/mL). After 24 h, using the supernatant, we evaluated the nitric oxide (NOx) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. The anti-inflammatory effects of CE (at doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg) were evaluated on leukocyte migration (total and differential), exudate concentrations, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and adenosine-deaminase (ADA) activities, NOx, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-6 levels, by using a murine model of neutrophilic inflammation. RESULTS: The UPLC-HRMS of CE revealed the presence of isoflavonones, including biochanin A and formononetin. CE exhibited good antioxidant activity by quenching and decreasing free radicals, as well as reducing pro-oxidant metals. CE did not show cytotoxicity at a concentration below 11 µg/mL and reduced the secretion of the pro-inflammatory NOx in the inflamed macrophages. In vivo assay revealed that CE caused a pronounced inhibition on leukocyte migration, and this inhibition was due to its ability to reduce neutrophil migration. Moreover, CE was also able to reduce the release of critical pro-inflammatory mediators such as MPO, NOx, TNF-α, and IL-6. CONCLUSIONS: All these findings indicate that M. frondosus exhibited antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effect.

Roça-de-toco: uso de recursos florestais e dinâmica da paisagem rural no litoral de Santa Catarina / Slash-and-burn agriculture: use of forest resources and dynamics of rural landscape in Santa Catarina State, Brazil

Os fragmentos florestais nas pequenas propriedades agrícolas de Santa Catarina fazem parte de um ciclo de cultivo de espécies anuais, através da agricultura de pousio (roça-de-toco). Neste estudo, procurou-se analisar o sistema de cultivo praticado pelos agricultores do município de São Pedro de Alcântara, litoral de Santa Catarina, utilizando a abordagem qualitativa. Como resultados, observou-se que em 65 por cento das propriedades houve redução da área de cultivo nos últimos 10 anos, o tempo de repouso foi reduzido e as roças passaram a ser menos itinerantes. As restrições ao uso dos recursos florestais têm promovido alterações na composição da paisagem das propriedades agrícolas da região de estudo, onde se constata uma diminuição das áreas destinadas à agricultura de pousio e um aumento crescente das áreas com formações florestais secundárias, além do aumento da proporção de formações mais avançadas no processo de sucessão natural. Entretanto, uma simulação do uso da terra revelou que é possível, do ponto de vista da disponibilidade de áreas ao longo do tempo, a continuidade do sistema de pousio, principalmente quando este destina-se à subsistência.

The secondary forests in the small farms of Santa Catarina State are traditionally used as a component of the slash-and-burn agriculture. The purpose of this study was to analyze the agricultural system in the municipality of São Pedro de Alcântara, on the coast zone of the State, using the qualitative research approach. The results showed that there was a reduction of the cultivated area in 65 percent of the farms in the last 10 years, the fallow period was reduced, and the rotation time of each field plot was shortened. The restrictions imposed by regulations on forest resources use have contributed to a change in the composition of the landscape of the study area, where a shrinkage of the area used for traditional agriculture in favor of a larger area of with secondary forests is evident. However, a simulation of the field plots rotation revealed that, from the point of view of the land availability, the continuity of the slash-and-burn agricultural system is still possible in the long run, especially under the subsistence farming.