Rapid and low-cost screening for single and combined effects of drought and heat stress on the morpho-physiological traits of African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum) germplasm.

Drought and heat are two stresses that often occur together and may pose significant risks to crops in future climates. However, the combined effects of these two stressors have received less attention than single-stressor investigations. This study used a rapid and straightforward phenotyping method to quantify the variation in 128 African eggplant genotype responses to drought, heat, and the combined effects of heat and drought at the seedling stage. The study found that the morphophysiological traits varied significantly among the 128 eggplants, highlighting variation in response to abiotic stresses. Broad-sense heritability was high (> 0.60) for chlorophyll content, plant biomass and performance index, electrolyte leakage, and total leaf area. Positive and significant relationships existed between biomass and photosynthetic parameters, but a negative association existed between electrolyte leakage and morpho-physiological traits. The plants underwent more significant stress when drought and heat stress were imposed concurrently than under single stresses, with the impact of drought on the plants being more detrimental than heat. There were antagonistic effects on the morphophysiology of the eggplants when heat and drought stress were applied together. Resilient genotypes such as RV100503, RV100501, JAMBA, LOC3, RV100164, RV100169, LOC 3, RV100483, GH5155, RV100430, GH1087, GH1087*, RV100388, RV100387, RV100391 maintained high relative water content, low electrolyte leakage, high Fv/Fm ratio and performance index, and increased biomass production under abiotic stress conditions. The antagonistic interactions between heat and drought observed here may be retained or enhanced during several stress combinations typical of plants' environments and must be factored into efforts to develop climate change-resilient crops. This paper demonstrates improvised climate chambers for high throughput, reliable, rapid, and cost-effective screening for heat and drought and combined stress tolerance in plants.

African eggplant-associated virus: Characterization of a novel tobamovirus identified from Solanum macrocarpon and assessment of its potential impact on tomato and pepper crops.

A novel tobamovirus was identified in a fruit of Solanum macrocarpon imported into the Netherlands in 2018. This virus was further characterized in terms of host range, pathotype and genomic properties, because many tobamoviruses have the potential to cause severe damage in important crops. In the original fruit, two different genotypes of the novel virus were present. The virus was able to infect multiple plant species from the Solanaceae family after mechanical inoculation, as well as a member of the Apiaceae family. These species included economically important crops such as tomato and pepper, as well as eggplant and petunia. Both tomato and pepper germplasm were shown to harbor resistance against the novel virus. Since most commercial tomato and pepper varieties grown in European greenhouses harbor these relevant resistances, the risk of infection and subsequent impact on these crops is likely to be low in Europe. Assessment of the potential threat to eggplant, petunia, and other susceptible species needs further work. In conclusion, this study provides a first assessment of the potential phytosanitary risks of a newly discovered tobamovirus, which was tentatively named African eggplant-associated virus.

Biotic elicitor-induced changes in growth, antioxidative defense, and metabolites in an improved prickleless Solanum viarum.

Solanum viarum serves as a raw material for the steroidal drug industry due to its alkaloid and glycoalkaloid content. Elicitation is well-known for measuring the increase in the yield of bioactive compounds in in vitro cultures. The current study was performed for the accumulation of metabolites viz. solasodine, solanidine, and α-solanine in S. viarum culture using microbial-based elicitors added in 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7% on 25th and 35th day of culture period and harvested on 45th and 50th days of culture cycle. The treatment of 3% Trichoderma reesei and Bacillus tequilensis culture filtrate (CF) significantly increased biomass, alkaloids/glycoalkaloid content, and yield in S. viarum. T. reesei was found to be the best treatment for enhanced growth (GI = 11.65) and glycoalkaloid yield (2.54 mg DW plant-1) after the 50th day of the culture cycle when added on the 25th day. The abundance of gene transcripts involved in the biosynthesis of alkaloids/glycoalkaloids, revealed by quantitative real-time PCR expression analysis correlates with the accumulation of their respective metabolites in elicited plants. Biochemical analysis shows that elicited plants inhibited oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species by activating enzymes (superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase) as well as non-enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms (alkaloids, total phenols, total flavonoids, carotenoids, and proline). The findings of this study clearly demonstrate that the application of T. reesei and B. tequilensis CF at a specific dose and time significantly improve biomass as well as upregulates the metabolite biosynthetic pathway in an important medicinal plant- S. viarum. KEY POINTS: • Biotic elicitors stimulated the alkaloids/glycoalkaloid content in S. viarum plant cultures. • T. reesei was found to be most efficient for enhancing the growth and alkaloids content. • Elicited plants activate ROS based-defense mechanism to overcome oxidative damage.

Current and future spatial assessment of biological control as a mechanism to reduce economic losses and carbon emissions: the case of Solanum sisymbriifolium in Africa.

BACKGROUND: Solanum sisymbriifolium is a native plant of South America introduced into Africa, which has detrimental effects on crop yields, and on the environment due to weed control treatment by burning. In South America, S. sisymbriifolium is naturally controlled by the beetle Gratiana spadicea, making this a potential option for its control in Africa. Here, we aim to generate current and future scenarios for the introduction of G. spadicea as a biocontrol agent in Africa, analysing: (i) current and future effective biocontrol areas; (ii) potentially avoided economic losses (AEL), and chemical control costs and savings; and (iii) avoided carbon emissions (ACE) associated with the non-burning of crop fields. We combine species distribution models (SDM) with land cover maps to estimate current and future effective biocontrol considering Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 climate change scenarios. We then estimate AEL and ACE using biocontrol, and chemical control costs and savings. RESULTS: The effective biocontrol area reached 392 405 km2 in 18 countries, representing 40% of potentially affected croplands. Climate change induced a decrease in affected croplands and effective biocontrol. The estimated AEL reached US$45 447.2 ± 5617.3 billion distributed across 16 countries, while the estimated chemical control costs and savings reached US$1988.5 billion and 1411.8 billion, respectively. Potential ACE reached 36.3 ± 5.4 Tg. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence for the potential benefits of biological controllers on economic losses and carbon emissions, which can be incorporated into sustainable development in low-income countries.

Assessment of Genetic Differentiation and Linkage Disequilibrium in Solanum pimpinellifolium Using Genome-Wide High-Density SNP Markers.

To mine new favorable alleles for tomato breeding, we investigated the feasibility of utilizing Solanum pimpinellifolium as a diverse panel of genome-wide association study through the restriction site-associated DNA sequencing technique. Previous attempts to conduct genome-wide association studies using S. pimpinellifolium were impeded by an inability to correct for population stratification and by lack of high-density markers to address the issue of rapid linkage disequilibrium decay. In the current study, a set of 24,330 SNPs was identified using 99 S. pimpinellifolium accessions from the Tomato Genetic Resource Center. Approximately 84% of PstI site-associated DNA sequencing regions were located in the euchromatic regions, resulting in the tagging of most SNPs on or near genes. Our genotypic data suggested that S. pimpinellifolium were divided into three single-ancestry subpopulations and four mixed-ancestry subpopulations. Additionally, our SNP genotypic data consistently confirmed the genetic differentiation, achieving a relatively reliable correction of population stratification. Previous studies utilized the 8K tomato SNP array, SolCAP, to investigate the genetic variation of S. pimpinellifolium and we performed a meta-analysis of these genotypes. The result suggested SolCAP array was less appropriate to profile the genetic differentiation of S. pimpinellifolium when more accessions were involved because the samples belonging to the same accession demonstrated different genome patterns. Moreover, as expected, rapid linkage disequilibrium decay was observed in S. pimpinellifolium, especially in euchromatic regions. Approximately two-thirds of the flanking SNP markers did not display linkage disequilibrium based on r2 = 0.1. However, the 18-Kb linkage disequilibrium decay indeed reveals the potential of single-gene resolution in GWAS when markers are saturated.

Quantity assessment of polyphenols, glycoalkaloids and saponins in Solanum scabrum berries of different genetic sources and maturity by HPLC/UV-visible/MS methods.

BACKGROUND: Solanum scabrum berries in sub-Saharan Africa are prolific but neglected as an agricultural resource. Recognition and application of such underutilized resources rely on systematic study of the relevant phytochemicals of commercial value. RESULTS: The quantities of a total of 54 phytochemicals in Solanum scabrum berries were assessed using HPLC-MS methods. Berries from eight different genetic sources were analyzed with two entries monitored across different maturation stages. There was a significant variation among mature berries in the accumulation of phenolic acids, 91.5-794 mg·100 g-1 dry weight (DW); flavonols, 76.3-897 mg·100 g-1 DW; anthocyanins, 178-4650 mg·100 g-1 DW; glycoalkaloids, 1.76-1630 mg·100 g-1 DW; and saponins, 82.2-606 mg·100 g-1 DW. Fruit development from immature to post-frost harvest featured dynamic changes in phytochemical composition and, despite remarkable differences in the absolute magnitude of content, the trend of change was generally similar in different genetic sources. CONCLUSIONS: The genotype-dependent difference in toxic glycoalkaloids in mature berries may partially explain the consumption controversy as it reflects glycoalkaloid content. The analytical methods applied in this work should serve for quality control of glycoalkaloids thereby improving the safe utilization of this berry. In addition, the selection and breeding of new genotypes with low and safe levels of glycoalkaloids and saponins in the berry could be of value in sub-Saharan Africa to increase nutrition and generate new income opportunities for growers. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Toxicity assessment of metal oxide nano-pollutants on tomato (Solanum lycopersicon): A study on growth dynamics and plant cell death.

The present study for the first time demonstrated the interactions of metal oxide (MO) nano-pollutants (CuO and Al2O3-NPs) with tissues and cellular DNA of tomato plants grown in soil sand: silt: clay (667:190:143) and Hoagland-hydroponic system and assessed the hazardous effects of NPs on cell physiology and biochemistry. Results of SEM equipped with EDX revealed attachment of variably shaped CuO-NPs (18 nm) and Al2O3-NPs (21 nm) on roots, and internalization followed by translocation in plants by ICP-MS and TEM. Significant variations in foliage surface area, chlorophyll, proteins, LPO, and antioxidant enzymes were recorded. Roots and shoots accumulated 225.8 ±â€¯8.9 and 70.5 ±â€¯4 µgAl g-1 DW, whereas Cu accumulation was 341.6 ±â€¯14.3 (roots) and 146.9 ±â€¯8.1 µg g-1 DW (shoots) which was significant (p ≤ 0.0005) as compared to control. The total soluble protein content in roots, shoots, and leaves collected from Al2O3-NPs treated plants increased by 120, 80, and 132%, respectively while in CuO-NPs treatments, the increase was 68 (roots), 36 (shoots), and 86% (leaves) over control. The level of antioxidant enzymes in plant tissues was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher at 2000 µg ml-1 of MONPs over control. A dose-dependent increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), biphasic change of lower and higher fluorescence in mitochondria due to dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and membrane defects using propidium iodide were observed. Comparatively, CuO-NPs induced higher toxicity than Al2O3-NPs. Perceptible changes in proteins (amide-I & II), cellulose, glucose, galactose and other carbohydrates were observed under FT-IR. The binding studies with TmDNA showed fluorescence quenching of EtBr-TmDNA and acridine orange-TmDNA complex only by CuO-NPs with -ΔG and +ΔH and +ΔS values. However, Al2O3-NPs induced lesser change in TmDNA conformation. Conclusively, the results are novel in better demonstrating the mechanistic basis of nano-phyto-toxicity and are important which could be used to develop strategies for safe disposal of Al2O3-NPs and CuO-NPs.

Assessment of an Organ-Specific de Novo Transcriptome of the Nematode Trap-Crop, Solanum sisymbriifolium.

Solanum sisymbriifolium, also known as "Litchi Tomato" or "Sticky Nightshade," is an undomesticated and poorly researched plant related to potato and tomato. Unlike the latter species, S. sisymbriifolium induces eggs of the cyst nematode, Globodera pallida, to hatch and migrate into its roots, but then arrests further nematode maturation. In order to provide researchers with a partial blueprint of its genetic make-up so that the mechanism of this response might be identified, we used single molecule real time (SMRT) sequencing to compile a high quality de novo transcriptome of 41,189 unigenes drawn from individually sequenced bud, root, stem, and leaf RNA populations. Functional annotation and BUSCO analysis showed that this transcriptome was surprisingly complete, even though it represented genes expressed at a single time point. By sequencing the 4 organ libraries separately, we found we could get a reliable snapshot of transcript distributions in each organ. A divergent site analysis of the merged transcriptome indicated that this species might have undergone a recent genome duplication and re-diploidization. Further analysis indicated that the plant then retained a disproportionate number of genes associated with photosynthesis and amino acid metabolism in comparison to genes with characteristics of R-proteins or involved in secondary metabolism. The former processes may have given S. sisymbriifolium a bigger competitive advantage than the latter did.

In vitro cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity assessment of Solanum lycocarpum hydroalcoholic extract.

CONTEXT: Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hil. (Solanaceae), popularly known as 'fruta-do-lobo' (wolf fruit), 'lobeira' and 'jurubebão', is commonly used by native people of Central Brazil in powder form or as a hydroalcoholic extract for the management of diabetes and obesity and to decrease cholesterol levels. OBJECTIVE: The present study determines the possible cytotoxic, genotoxic and antigenotoxic activities of hydroalcoholic extract of the S. lycocarpum fruits (SL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clonogenic efficiency assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity. Three concentrations of SL (16, 32 and 64 µg/mL) were used for the evaluation of its genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential on V79 cells using the micronucleus and comet assays. In the antigenotoxicity assays, the cells were treated simultaneously with SL and the alkylating agent methyl methanesulphonate (MMS, 44 µg/mL for the micronucleus assay and 22 µg/mL for the comet assay) as an inducer of micronuclei and DNA damage. RESULTS: The results showed that SL was cytotoxic at concentrations up to 64 µg/mL. No significant differences in the rate of chromosome or DNA damage were observed between cultures treated with SL and the control group. In addition, the frequencies of micronuclei and DNA damage induced by MMS were significantly reduced after treatment with SL. The damage reduction percentage ranged from 68.1% to 79.2% and 12.1% to 16.5% for micronucleus and comet assays, respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: SL exerted no genotoxic effect and exhibited chemopreventive activity against both genomic and chromosome damage induced by MMS.

Safety assessment and behavioral effects of Solanum guaraniticum leaf extract in rats

ABSTRACT Solanum guaraniticum is a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat gastric and liver diseases. However, there is no documented evidence corroborating its safety. The present study evaluated the potential toxicity of S. guaraniticum leaf extract after acute administration in rats. Single doses of the extract (1.250, 2.500, and 5.000 mg/kg) were administered by gavage, and the rats were then monitored for 48 h and/or 14 days. Mortality, acute signs of toxicity, and general activity in the open field test were assessed as well as hematological and biochemical parameters, enzymatic activity (δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase and acetylcholinesterase), and oxidative stress parameters (lipid peroxidation level, non-protein thiol content, tissue catalase activity, and serum ferrous reducing power). Phytochemical analysis was also performed by HPLC. The results showed that extract administration produced no deaths (LD50 > 5,000 mg/kg), and no significant adverse effects regarding food consumption, body weight gain, gross pathology, or other parameters. However, the open field tests showed a decrease in spontaneous activity (crossing and rearing) mainly at 48 h after treatment. The results suggest that S. guaraniticum extract is not acutely toxic, but causes alterations in central nervous system activity.

RESUMO Solanum guaraniticum é uma planta medicinal tradicionalmente usada para tratar doenças gástricas e hepáticas. Porém, não há evidências documentadas sobre sua segurança. O presente estudo avaliou a toxicidade do extrato das folhas de S. guaraniticum após administração aguda em ratos. Doses únicas do extrato (1.250, 2.500 and 5.000 mg/kg) foram administradas por gavagem e os animais foram monitorados por 48 h ou 14 dias. Mortalidade, sinais de toxicidade aguda e atividade geral, através do teste de campo aberto, foram analisados, assim como parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos, atividades enzimáticas (δ-aminolevulinato desidratase e acetilcolinesterase) e parâmetros de estresse oxidativo (nível de peroxidação lipídica, conteúdo de tióis não protéicos, atividade da catalase em tecidos e poder redutor em soro). A análise fitoquímica também foi realizada por HPLC. Os resultados mostraram que a administração do extrato não provoca mortes (LD50>5.000 mg/kg) ou efeitos adversos significativos com relação ao consumo de comida, ganho de peso corporal, análise patológica, entre outros. Entretanto, o teste de campo aberto mostrou uma diminuição na atividade espontânea geral (cruzamentos e levantadas), principalmente em 48 h após o tratamento. Portanto, nossos resultados sugerem que o extrato de S. guaraniticum não é agudamente tóxico, mas causa alterações na atividade do sistema nervoso central.

In vivo assessment of genotoxic, antigenotoxic and anticarcinogenic activities of Solanum lycocarpum fruits glycoalkaloidic extract.

The fruits of Solanum lycocarpum, known as wolf-fruit, are used in folk medicine, and because of that we have evaluated both the genotoxic potential of its glycoalkaloidic extract (SL) and its influence on the genotoxicity induced by methyl methanesulfonate. Furthermore, the potential blocking effect of SL intake in the initial stage of colon carcinogenesis in Wistar rats was investigated in a short-term (4-week) bioassay using aberrant crypt foci (ACF) as biomarker. The genotoxic potential was evaluated using the Swiss mice peripheral blood micronucleus test. The animals were treated with different doses of SL (15, 30 and 60 mg/kg b.w.) for 14 days, and the peripheral blood samples were collected at 48 h, 7 days and 14 days after starting the treatment. For antigenotoxicity assessment, MMS was administered on the 14th day, and after 24 h the harvesting of bone marrow and liver cells was performed, for the micronucleus and comet assays, respectively. In the ACF assay, male Wistar rats were given four subcutaneous injections of the carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH, 40 mg/kg b.w.), twice a week, during two weeks to induce ACF. The treatment with SL (15, 30 and 60 mg/kg b.w.) was given for four weeks during and after carcinogen treatment to investigate the potential beneficial effects of SL on DMH-induced ACF. The results demonstrated that SL was not genotoxic in the mouse micronucleus test. In animals treated with SL and MMS, the frequencies of micronucleus and extensions of DNA damage were significantly reduced in comparison with the animals receiving only MMS. Regarding the ACF assay, SL significantly reduced the frequency of ACF induced by DMH.

Assessment of pollen reward and pollen availability in Solanum stramoniifolium and Solanum paniculatum for buzz-pollinating carpenter bees.

The two widespread tropical Solanum species S. paniculatum and S. stramoniifolium are highly dependent on the visits of large bees that pollinate the flowers while buzzing them. Both Solanum species do not offer nectar reward; the rewarding of bees is thus solely dependent on the availability of pollen. Flower visitors are unable to visually assess the amount of pollen, because the pollen is hidden in poricidal anthers. In this study we ask whether and how the amount of pollen determines the attractiveness of flowers for bees. The number of pollen grains in anthers of S. stramoniifolium was seven times higher than in S. paniculatum. By contrast, the handling time per five flowers for carpenter bees visiting S. paniculatum was 3.5 times shorter than of those visiting S. stramoniifolium. As a result foraging carpenter bees collected a similar number of pollen grains per unit time on flowers of both species. Experimental manipulation of pollen availability by gluing the anther pores showed that the carpenter bees were unable to detect the availability of pollen by means of chemical cues before landing and without buzzing. Our study shows that the efficiency of pollen collecting on S. paniculatum is based on large inflorescences with short between-flower search times and short handling time of individual flowers, whereas that of S. stramoniifolium relies on a large amount of pollen per flower. Interestingly, large carpenter bees are able to adjust their foraging behaviour to drastically different strategies of pollen reward in otherwise very similar plant species.

Nutritional assessment of transgenic lysine-rich maize compared with conventional quality protein maize.

BACKGROUND: The gene sb401 encoding a lysine-rich protein has been successfully integrated into the genome of maize (Zea mays), its expression showing as increased levels of lysine and total protein in maize seeds. As part of a nutritional assessment of transgenic maize, nutritional composition, especially unintended changes in key nutrients such as proximates, amino acids, minerals and vitamins as well as in antinutrient (phytate phosphorus), and protein nutritional quality were compared between transgenic maize (inbred line 642 and hybrid line Y642) and conventional quality protein maize (QPM) Nongda 108. RESULTS: The contents of total protein, lysine, some other amino acids, several minerals and vitamin B2 in transgenic inbred line 642 and hybrid line Y642 were significantly higher than those in conventional QPM. Water-soluble protein and G2-glutelin were significantly promoted in transgenic maize Y642. CONCLUSION: Insertion of the lysine-rich sb401 gene increased the total protein and lysine content of transgenic maize varieties, leading to an improved amino acid score and therefore an improvement in the nutritive value of maize.

Potential economic pests of solanaceous crops: a new species of Solanum-feeding psyllid from Australia and first record from New Zealand of Acizzia solanicola (Hemiptera: Psyllidae).

Acizzia credoensis sp. n. is described from a single population on the native plant, Solanum lasiophyllum, from semi-arid Western Australia. The host range of Acizzia solanicola Kent & Taylor, initially recorded as damaging eggplant, S. melongena, in commercial crops and gardens and on wild tobacco bush, S. mauritianum in eastern Australia, is expanded to include the following Solanaceae: rock nightshade, S. petrophilum, cape gooseberry, Physalis peruviana, and an undetermined species of angel's trumpet Brugmansia and Datura. New Zealand specimens of A. solanicola collected in early 2012 from S. mauritianum are the first record for this species from outside Australia, and possibly represent a very recent incursion. The potential for the solanaceous-inhabiting Psyllidae to vector Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum, an economically important plant pathogen, on native Australian Solanaceae is discussed. The occurrence of A. credoensis and A. solanicola on native Australian Solanum supports the Australian origin for the solanaceous-inhabiting Acizzia psyllids.

Asymmetric single-strand conformation polymorphism: an accurate and cost-effective method to amplify and sequence allelic variants.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: An efficient alternative strategy to conventional cloning was needed to generate high-quality DNA sequences from a variety of nuclear orthologs for phylogenetic studies. This method would facilitate studies and minimize technical problems typically encountered in cloning methodologies. METHODS: We tested a variety of single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) protocols including purified and unpurified symmetric and asymmetric PCR, loading buffers, and electrophoresis conditions (buffers, matrix, running time, temperature). Results obtained from direct SSCP band sequencing were compared to those obtained from cloning. KEY RESULTS: Our optimized protocol uses asymmetric PCR, with the majority of the samples run in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). It consistently separated PCR products from 450 to 1200 bp. CONCLUSIONS: Asymmetric PCR single-strand conformation polymorphism is an efficient alternative technique for isolating allelic variants of highly heterozygous individuals, with its greatest applications in sequencing allopolyploids. It eliminates two common problems encountered in cloning: PCR recombination and heteroduplex fixation. In addition, our protocol greatly lowers costs and time associated with procedures.

Composición química de los aceites esenciales de las hojas de Helicteres guazumifolia (Sterculiaceae), Piper tuberculatum (Piperaceae), Scoparia dulcis (Arecaceae) y Solanum subinerme (Solanaceae), recolectadas en Sucre, Venezuela

Chemical composition of essential oils from leaves of Helicteres guazumifolia (Sterculiaceae), Piper tuberculatum (Piperaceae), Scoparia dulcis (Arecaceae) and Solanum subinerme (Solanaceae) from Sucre, Venezuela. Essential oils, biosynthesized and accumulated in aromatic plants, have a wide range of applications in the pharmaceutical health, cosmetics, food and agricultural industry. This study aimed to analyze the secondary metabolites in some plant species in order to contribute to their chemotaxonomy. Leaves from Helicteres guazumifolia, Piper tuberculatum, Scoparia dulcis and Solanum subinerme were collected and their essential oils were obtained by means of hydro-distillation. The oil fraction was analyzed and identified by GC/MS. The extraction yields were of 0.004, 0.032, 0.016 and 0.005%, and the oil constituents of 88.00, 89.80, 87.50 and 89.47%, respectively. The principal oils found were: non-terpenoids volatile secondary metabolites (30.28%) in H. guazumifolia; sesquiterpenoids (20.82 and 26.09%) and oxigen derivated (52.19 and 25.18%) in P. tuberculatum and S. dulcis; and oxigen diterpenoids (39.67%) in S. subinerme. The diisobuthylphtalate (13.11 %) in H. guazumifolia, (-)-spathulenol (11.37%) in P. tuberculatum and trans-phytol (8.29 and 36.00%) in S. dulcis and S. subinerme, were the principal constituents in their respective essential oils. The diisooctylphtalate were the essential oil common to all species, but the volatile compounds such as trans-pinane, L-linalool, β-ionone, isophytol, neophytadiene, trans-phytol, dibutylphtalate and methyl hexadecanoate, were only detected in three of these essences. This suggests that these plants may require similar secondary metabolites for their ecological interactions, possibly due to common environmental factors. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (2): 585-595. Epub 2011 June 01.

Los aceites esenciales son biosintetizados por plantas aromáticas y pueden obtenerse de cualquier órgano de la misma, tienen gran aplicación en la industria farmacéutica, sanitaria, cosmética, agrícola y de alimentos. Los aceites esenciales de las hojas de las plantas Helicteres guazumifolia, Piper tuberculatum, Scoparia dulcis y Solanum subinerme fueron obtenidos mediante hidrodestilación con rendimientos de 0.004, 0.032, 0.016 y 0.005%, respectivamente. La CG/EM permitió identificar la mayoría de los constituyentes de estos aceites esenciales (88.00, 89.80, 87.50 y 89.47%, respectivamente), encontrándose en mayor proporción metabolitos no volátiles de estructura no terpenoidal en H. guazumifolia (30.28%), sesquiterpenoides oxigenados en P. tuberculatum (52.19%), sesquiterpenos en S. dulcis (26.09%) y derivados oxigenados de diterpenos en S. subinerme (39.67%). Los constituyentes mayoritarios fueron el diisobutilftalato (13.11%) en H. guazumifolia, (-)-espatulenol (11.37%) en P. tuberculatum y el trans-fitol (8.29 y 36.00%) para S. dulcis y S. subinerme, respectivamente. El diisooctilftalato fue el constituyente común en los aceites esenciales de todas las especies y los compuestos volátiles trans-pinano, L-linalool, β-ionona, isofitol, neofitadieno, trans-fitol, dibutilftalato y hexadecanoato de metilo, fueron detectados en tres de estas esencias. Esto sugiere que dichas plantas pueden requerir metabolitos secundarios similares para su interacción ecológica, posiblemente debido a factores ambientales comunes.

Assessment of the genotoxic, antigenotoxic, and cytotoxic activities of the ethanolic fruit extract of Solanum lycocarpum A. St. Hill. (Solanaceae) by micronucleus test in mice.

Solanum lycocarpum A. St. Hill. (Family Solanaceae), popularly known in Brazil as lobeira, is a common weed in the Brazilian Cerrado vegetation. The fruits of this species have been used in Brazil for culinary purposes and in folk medicine as a sedative, diuretic, antiepileptic, antispasmodic, hypoglycemic, and hypocholesterolemic agent as well as in the control of obesity. Due to the spreading use of this plant as a therapeutic resource and food, the present study aimed to evaluate the genotoxic, antigenotoxic, and cytotoxic effects of S. lycocarpum ethanolic fruit extract using the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test. Both genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity of this ethanolic fruit extract were evaluated by using the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes, whereas cytotoxicity was assessed by the polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes ratio. Our results indicated that although S. lycocarpum ethanolic fruit extract did not exhibit genotoxic effect in mice bone marrow, both cytotoxic and antigenotoxic actions were evidenced at all tested doses.

Solanum paniculatum L. leaf and fruit extracts: assessment of modulation of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity by micronucleus test in mice.

Solanum paniculatum L. is a plant species widespread throughout tropical America, especially in the Brazilian Savanna region. It is used in Brazil for culinary purposes and in folk medicine to treat liver and gastric dysfunctions, as well as hangovers. Previous studies with S. paniculatum ethanolic leaf extract (ELE) or ethanolic fruit extract (EFE) demonstrated that they have no genotoxic activity meant either in the micronucleus test in mice or in the phage induction SOS Inductest in bacterial strains; however, cytotoxicity was demonstrated in both tests. Because of the spread use of this plant as a therapeutic resource and food, the present study aimed at evaluating the modulator effects of S. paniculatum ELE or EFE against mitomycin C (MMC) using the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test. This short-term test was used to detect the acute effects of responsive erythropoiesis after 24- and 48-hour exposure periods. Swiss-Webster mice were orally treated with three different concentrations (100, 200, or 300 mg/kg) of ELE or EFE simultaneously with a single dose of MMC (4 mg/kg i.p.). Antigenotoxicity was evaluated using the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs), whereas anticytotoxicity was assessed by the polychromatic/normochromatic erythrocyte ratio. Our results demonstrated that neither the ELE nor EFE of S. paniculatum protected cells against the cytotoxic action of MMC. Nevertheless, the present study showed the antimutagenic effect of ELE after a 24-hour treatment (reduction in the frequencies of MNPCEs after a 48-hour treatment with ELE can be due to toxicity) and no antimutagenic action of the EFE treatment against the aneugenic and/or clastogenic activities of MMC.