Geranylated or prenylated flavonoids from Cajanus volubilis / 中国天然药物

Five new flavonoid derivatives, cajavolubones A-E (1-5), along with six known analogues (6-11) were isolated from Cajanus volubilis, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and quantum chemical calculations. Cajavolubones A and B (1 and 2) were identified as two geranylated chalcones. Cajavolubone C (3) was a prenylated flavone, while cajavolubones D and E (4 and 5) were two prenylated isoflavanones. Compounds 3, 8, 9 and 11 displayed cytotoxicity against HCT-116 cancer cell line.

Physical and chemical properties of an oxisol after maize cropping on rotation with leguminous plants / Propriedades físicas e químicas de um latossolo ver melho durante o cultivo do milho após rotação com plantas leguminosas

Crop rotation has been a daily management to ensure viability of no-tillage system; however, it is few accepted and practiced by farmers. Thus, this study aims to establish a crop rotation scheme in soil quality. Consequently, cover crops of dwarf mucuna, pigeon pea dwarf, sun hemp and maize were cropped in 2010 under no-tillage system. Soil properties were determined prior their beginning, after the management of cover crops and maize harvest. Results were submitted to ANOVA and averages were compared. The macroporosity and total porosity answered to the adopted management with some variation. So, cover crops need much time to express their potential, mainly related to the physical characteristics of the studied soil. Chemical properties are susceptible to this management since higher changes were observed after management with cover crops. This crop rotation in a long term may allow the maintenance of soil quality because it avoids losses of nutrients and carbon

A rotação de culturas é ação básica para garantir a viabilidade do sistema plantio direto, porém, é pouco aceita e praticada pelos agricultores. Assim, este trabalho teve por objetivo estabelecer o esquema de rotação de culturas sobre a qualidade do solo. Para isso, sob sistema plantio direto, foramimplantadas, em 2010, as plantas de cobertura mucuna anã, feijão guandu anão, crotalaria juncea, e a cultura do milho. As propriedades do solo foram determinadas anteriormente à implantação, após o manejo da cobertura vegetal e após a colheita do milho. Os resultados encontrados foram submetidos à análise de variância e a comparação de médias. As plantas de cobertura podem precisar de mais tempo para que expressem seu potencial, principalmente relacionado às características físicas do solo, embora tenha sido observada variação da porosidade total e macroporosidade. As propriedades químicas são sensíveis ao manejo empregado, já que maiores alterações foram observadas após o manejo com as plantas de cobertura. Mesmo que não possibilite aumento significativo no teor de C no solo, o uso desta rotação, em longo prazo, poderá permitir a manutenção da qualidade do solo, evitando perdas de nutrientes e carbono

Influence of green manures on epiedaphic macrofauna in cerrado/pantanal ecotone / Influência de adubos verdes sobre a macrofauna epiedáfica no ecótono cerrado/pantanal

The aim of this study was to determine the similarity between nine species of green manure regarding the occurrence of epiedaphic macrofauna. The experiment was conducted during the months of August 2014 to July 2015 at the Crop Science sector of the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Unit of Aquidauana. Treatmentes evaluated were: Canavalia ensiformes, Dolichos lablab, Mucuna pruriens, Mucuna aterrima, Crotalaria spectabilis, Crotalaria juncea, Crotalaria ochroleuca, Cajanus cajan, Cajanus cajan and two control (fallow area and native vegetation). Experimental design was completely randomized with two replications. Each plot consists of 10 lines with 4.5 m long. Epiedaphic macrofauna inhabiting the interphase between the vegetation cover and the soil surface was collected weekly by the Pitfall model. Individuals collected in all green manure species in the same month were added and subjected to cluster analysis. The months of September and October composed group 2 due to higher averages of epiedaphic macrofauna individuals. The month of July had the highest number of individuals from Isoptera order, composing the group 3. The month of November was in which was collected the greatest number of individuals from Hymenoptera order, which has allocated this month in group 4. The others months of the year formed the group 1, indicating that the region climatic conditions in this period do not affect significantly the distribution of epiedaphic macrofauna individuals.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a similaridade entre nove espécies de adubo verde quanto à ocorrência de macrofauna epiedáfica. O experimento foi conduzido durante os meses de agosto de 2014 a julho de 2015 no setor de Fitotecnia da Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Unidade de Aquidauana. Os tratamentos avaliados foram: Canavalia ensiformes, Dolichos lablab, Mucuna pruriens, Mucuna aterrima, Crotalaria spectabilis, Crotalaria juncea, Crotalaria ochroleuca, Cajanus cajan, Cajanus cajan e duas testemunhas (área de pousio e mata nativa). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com duas repetições. Cada parcela foi composta por 10 linhas com 4,5 m de comprimento. A macrofauna epiedáfica, que habita na interfase entre a cobertura vegetal e a superfície do solo foi coletada semanalmente por meio de armadilhas modelo Pitfall (de queda). Os indivíduos coletados em todas as espécies de adubação verde no mesmo mês foram somados e submetidos à análise de agrupamento. Os meses de setembro e outubro compuseram o grupo 2 devido as maiores médias de indivíduos da macrofauna epiedáfica. O mês de julho obteve o maior número de indivíduos da ordem Isoptera, compondo o grupo 3. O mês de novembro foi no qual foi coletado o maior número de indivíduos da ordem Hymenoptera, o que alocou este mês no grupo 4. Os demais meses do ano formaram o grupo 1, o que indica que as condições climáticas da região neste período não afetam significativamente a distribuição dos indivíduos da macrofauna epiedáfica.

Production and quality of forage under intercropping systems in the Cerrado/Pantanal ecotone / Produção e qualidade da forragem de consórcios no ecótonoCerrado/Pantanal

The aims of this study were to evaluate forage production and nutritional quality of the elephant grass, leucaena and pigeon pea beans, grown in monocrop or in intercropping systems in Cerrado / Pantanal ecotones in both, dry and rainy, seasons. Experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments and five repetitions. The treatments were: elephant grass, leucaena and pigeon pea all of these in monocrop; intercropping elephant grass with Leucaena; intercropping elephant grass with pigeon pea. During the rainy season, it was carried out three cuts at intervals of 60 days, and in the dry season a single cut with 180 days. In the rainy season, the biomass produced of the forages elephant grass, leucaena and pigeon pea corresponded respectively to 72, 64, 76% of the annual production. Under intercropping system, fodder behaves similarly, with the average of 72% of annual production. During this period, the nutritional quality of the forages was also higher than the dry season. In the dry period, there was decreased the production of biomass and a reduction in the proportion of leaves in all the forage, regardless of cultivation system. In both seasons (rainy and dry), the forage grown under intercropping system showed higher dry matter production in relation to monocrop system, with most of this production coming of elephant grass. The intercropping elephant grass with the pigeon pea has the highest production of dry matter, while the intercropping elephant grass with Leucaena has better nutritional quality.

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar a produção de forragem e a qualidade nutricional do capim elefante, Leucaena e feijão guandu, cultivados de forma solteira ou em sistema de consórcio no ecótono Cerrado/Pantanal, em duas estações do ano (das águas e seca). O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições. Os tratamentos foram: capim elefante solteiro; Leucaena solteira; feijão gandu solteiro; consórcio capim elefante com Leucaena; consórcio capim elefante com feijão guandu. Na época das chuvas foram realizados três cortes em intervalos de 60 dias e na época da seca um único corte, com 180 dias. Na estação das chuvas, a biomassa produzida das forrageiras capim elefante, Leucaena e feijão guandu corresponderam, respectivamente, a 72, 64, 76% de toda a produção anual. No sistema de consórcio as forrageiras apresentaram um comportamento similar, com média de 72% da produção anual. Neste período a qualidade nutritiva das forrageiras também foi superior a época seca. No período seco, verificou-se menor produção de biomassa e uma redução na proporção de folhas, em todas as forrageiras, independentemente do sistema de cultivo. Em ambos os períodos (águas e seco), as forrageiras cultivadas em sistema de consórcio, apresentaram produção de matéria seca superior às cultivadas solteiras, sendo a maior parte desta produção oriunda do capim elefante. O consorcio do capim elefante com o feijão guandu apresenta a maior produção de matéria seca, enquanto o consórcio do capim elefante com a Leucaena possui melhor qualidade nutricional.

SSR genetic diversity assessment of popular pigeonpea varieties in Malawi reveals unique fingerprints

Background: Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) is a drought tolerant legume of the Fabaceae family and the only cultivated species in the genus Cajanus. It is mainly cultivated in the semi-arid tropics of Asia and Oceania, Africa and America. In Malawi, it is grown as a source of food and income and for soil improvement in intercropping systems. However, varietal contamination due to natural outcrossing causes significant quality reduction and yield losses. In this study, 48 polymorphic SSR markers were used to assess the diversity among all pigeonpea varieties cultivated in Malawi to determine if a genetic fingerprint could be identified to distinguish the popular varieties. Results: A total of 212 alleles were observed with an average of 5.58 alleles per marker and a maximum of 14 alleles produced by CCttc019 (Marker 40). Polymorphic information content (PIC), ranged from 0.03 to 0.89 with an average of 0.30. A neighbor-joining tree produced 4 clusters. The most commonly cultivated varieties, which include released varieties and cultivated land races, were well-spread across all the clusters observed, indicating that they generally represented the genetic diversity available in Malawi, although substantial variation was evident that can still be exploited through further breeding. Conclusion: Screening of the allelic data associated with the five most popular cultivated varieties, revealed 6 markers - CCB1, CCB7, Ccac035, CCttc003, Ccac026 and CCttc019 - which displayed unique allelic profiles for each of the five varieties. This genetic fingerprint can potentially be applied for seed certification to confirm the genetic purity of seeds that are delivered to Malawi farmers.

Productive performance of naked neck chickens that were fed leaf meal shrubs / Comportamiento productivo de pollos cuello desnudo que se alimentaron con harina de hojas de arbustos

Objective. To compare the productive performance of naked neck chickens (phases of initiation, growth and final) that were fed meals Gliricidia sepium, Cajanus cajan and Morus alba leaves. Materials and methods. 192 chickens, 1-84 days of age were distributed in a randomized block design with three experimental groups (5% of shrub in the diet), 48 animals/ group, eight replicates/ treatment, six animals/ reply and three animals/ sex in each replicate were used. The control group consumed diet based on corn and soybeans. They were reared on floor. Weighed every seven days. Weight gain, voluntary intake, conversion, balance and efficiency of feed utilization were calculated. Results. The highest total feed intake and average daily gain in rearing were 37.43g 9509.96 g respectively for M. alba (p<0.05), which also presented the best efficiency of energy and protein. Meanwhile, G. sepium showed the lowest values. Conclusions. It is possible to replace 5% of corn and soy in the diet of naked neck chickens, with the inclusion of leaf meal M. alba and get a favorable productive behavior.

Objetivos. Comparar el comportamiento productivo de pollos cuello desnudo (fases de inicio, crecimiento y final) que se alimentaron con harinas de hojas de Gliricidia sepium, Cajanus cajan y Morus alba. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron 192 pollos, de 1-84 días de edad que se distribuyeron en un diseño de bloques al azar, con tres grupos experimentales (5% de arbustivas en la ración), 48 animales/ grupo, ocho réplicas/ tratamiento, seis animales/ réplica y tres animales/ sexo, en cada réplica. El grupo control consumió dieta a base de maíz y soya. Se criaron en piso. Se pesaron cada siete días. Se calcularon la ganancia de peso, el consumo voluntario, la conversión, el balance y la eficiencia en la utilización de alimentos. Resultados. El mayor consumo total de alimento y la ganancia promedio diaria en la crianza fueron de 9509.96 g y 37.43g, respectivamente, para M. alba (p<0.05), donde también se presentó la mejor eficiencia en el uso de la energía y la proteína. Mientras, la G. sepium presentó los valores más bajos. Conclusiones. Es posible sustituir el 5% de maíz y soya, en la dieta de pollos cuello desnudo, con la inclusión de harina de hojas de M. alba y obtener un favorable comportamiento productivo.

Bebida achocolatada alta en proteínas con base en cajannus cajan fermentado y avena / High protein content chocolate beverage based on fermented cajanus cajan and oats

Se formuló una bebida achocolatada a base de concentrado de Cajanus cajan extraído de granos fermentados y hojuelas de avena. La formulación de la bebida se realizó siguiendo un diseño factorial 23. Se evaluó la aceptabilidad por parte de consumidores, la intensidad de atributos por un panel semientrenado y se describieron las fórmulas más aceptadas utilizando la metodología de perfil de libre elección. Finalmente, se determinó la composición proximal de la bebida seleccionada. Los resultados obtenidos indican que existe correlación negativa entre el contenido de avena y la aceptabilidad. En el panel semientrenado, las fórmulas más aceptadas por los consumidores se caracterizaron por ser calificadas con la mayor intensidad en los atributos de color, olor y sabor a chocolate y la menor intensidad en el atributo de viscosidad. El perfil de libre elección de las fórmulas más aceptadas, permitió la identificación de descriptores que pudieran atribuirse a compuestos formados durante el proceso de fermentación de la leguminosa. Según la composición proximal de la fórmula seleccionada, 200mL de la bebida constituyen un alimento con alto contenido de proteína y bajo en grasa(AU)

A chocolate flavored beverage was developed based on Cajanus cajan concentrate, extracted from fermented grains, and oats. The beverage formulation was performed following a 23 factorial design. Consumer acceptability and intensity of attributes were evaluated by a semi-trained panel, and the accepted fórmulas were described using the methodology of free choice profile. Finally, the proximal composition was determined on the selected beverage. The results indicate that there is a negative correlation between the content of oats and acceptability. For the semi-trained panel, fórmulas with higher consumer acceptance were scored with the highest intensities of color, smell and flavor of chocolate and lower intensity in the attribute of viscosity. The free choice profile of the most accepted formulas, allowed the identification of descriptors that could be attributed to compounds formed during the fermentation process of the legume. According to the proximal composition of the selected formula, a portion of 200mL constitutes a high protein and low fat beverage(AU)

Metales pesados en hojas de Myrciaria dubia (kunth) Mc. vaugh. "Camu camu" y Cajanus cajan (l) huth. "puspo poroto", que se expenden en el centro herbolario "Pasaje paquito" de la ciudad de Iquitos / Heavy metals in leaves of Myrciaria dubia (kunth) Mc. vaugh. "Camu camu" and Cajanus cajan (l) huth. "Puspo poroto", which is sold at the "Pasaje paquito" herbalist center in the city of Iquitos

Las hierbas medicinales son usadas ampliamente a lo largo de todo el mundo. La Organización Mundial de la Salud ha promocionado la medicina tradicional y ha dado pautas para su control de calidad de manera que estos medicamentos herbarios sean seguros y eficaces. La contaminación natural y la proveniente de las actividades humanas hicieron necesario monitorear los niveles de metales pesados en las hierbas medicinales. En el presente trabajo se realizó la determinación y cuantificación de plomo y cadmio en las hojas de las especies Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) Mc. Vaugh y Cajanus cajan (L) Huth comercializados ambos en la ciudad de Iquitos por su uso etnomedicinal. El estudio fue de tipo descriptivo y la muestra se adquirió por conveniencia en el mercado herbolario "Psje. Paquito", al costado del mercado de Belén, las concentraciones de los metales se determinaron por absorción atómica de flama. En los resultados obtenidos, ninguna de las especies estudiadas supero los limites de plomo de 10µg/g para hierbas medicinales sugerida por la OMS. En las tres muestras de Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) Mc. Vaugh, presenta un promedio de concentraciones por debajo de los limites de detección < 0,05 ug/g y Cajanus cajan (L) Huth presenta un promedio de concentraciones de 0,310 µg/g . En el caso de los limites permisibles de cadmio para hierbas medicinales de 0,30 µg/g sugeridas por la OMS se observo: el promedio de concentraciones de cadmio en Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) Mc. Vaugh, se encontraron por debajo de los límites de detección < 0,001 µg/g; sin embargo los resultados de la especie Cajanus cajan (L) Huth no supero estos limites con un promedio de concentraciones de 0,156 µg/g.

Revisão das Propriedades Medicinais de Cajanus cajanna Doença Falciforme / Review of Medicinal Cajanus cajan of properties in Sickle Cell Disease

RESUMO Este artigo descreve a ocorrência, características botânicas, fitoquímicas e a composição nutricional do feijão guandu [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp], e sua relação no processo de inibição da falcização na doença falciforme, um distúrbio genético que acomete as hemácias, gerando hemólise e anemia crônica. Dois constituintes químicos estariam mais relacionados aos efeitos inibitórios na falcização de células falciformes: L-fenilalanina e o ácido p-hidroxibenzóico. Estudos químico-biológicos detalhados com o feijão guandu no Brasil poderão esclarecer melhor os mecanismos pelos quais ocorre a inibição da falcização das hemácias e a diminuição do estresse oxidativo, ajudando no tratamento de pessoas com DF.

ABSTRACT This article describes the occurrence, botanical characteristics, phytochemical and nutritional composition of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp], and their relationship in the process inhibition of sickling in sickle cell disease (SCD), a genetic disorder that affects red blood cells, causing hemolysis and chronic anemia. Two chemical components would be related to the inhibitory effect on sickling of sickle cells: the L-phenylalanine and the p- hydroxybenzoic acid. In Brazil, detailed studies with pigeonpea chemical-biological may clarify the mechanisms by which the inhibition of sickling of red blood cells occurs, reducing oxidative stress and thus helping treating people affected by this disease.

Adubação fosfatada no desenvolvimento e produção de feijão guandu em latossolo vermelho do cerrado em primeiro cultivo / Phosphorus fertilization on the development and production of pigeonpea in the cerrado oxisol in first cultivation

O fósforo é um importante macronutriente, requerido por todas as plantas para crescimento, desenvolvimento e reprodução, sendo o fator de produção mais importante para a agricultura após a calagem em solos sob vegetação de Cerrado. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar o desenvolvimento e produção do feijão guandu submetido à adubação fosfatada, sem inoculação de sementes, em Latossolo Vermelho do Cerrado em primeiro cultivo. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação no período de agosto a novembro de 2010. Utilizaram-se vasos contendo 3 dm-3 de solo coletado na profundidade de 0-0,20 m em área de Cerrado. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com seis doses de fósforo (P2O5): 0; 50; 100; 150; 200 e 250 mg dm-3 em quatro repetições. Houve efeito significativo a 5% de probabilidade para todas as variáveis avaliadas com ajuste aos modelos quadrático e linear de regressão. O melhor desenvolvimento e produção de feijão guandu ocorre no intervalo de doses de fósforo de 162 a 225 mg dm-3. O feijão guandu responde de forma positiva a adubação fosfatada, sem a inoculação de sementes em Latossolo Vermelho do Cerrado em área de primeiro cultivo.

Phosphorus is an important macronutrient required by all plants for growth, development and reproduction, and the most important production factor for agriculture after liming in soils under Cerrado vegetation. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the development and production of pigeonpea subjected to fertilization without inoculation of Cerrado Oxisol in first cultivation. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in August-November 2010. We used 3 dm3 pots containing soil collected at 0-20 cm depth in the Cerrado. The experimental design was completely randomized design with six levels of phosphorus (P2O5): 0; 50; 100; 150; 200, e 250 mg dm-3 with four replications. There was a significant effect at 5% probability for all variables adjusted for the quadratic and linear regression. The best development and production of pigeonpea occurs within phosphorus levels of 162 the 225 mg dm-3. The pigeonpea respond positively to fertilization, without the inoculation of seeds in the soil of the Cerrado in first cultivation area.

Anti-oxidative protection against iron overload-induced liver damage in mice by Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. leaf extract.

In view of the contribution of iron deposition in the oxidative pathologic process of liver disease, the potential of 70% methanolic extract of C. cajan leaf (CLME) towards antioxidative protection against iron-overload-induced liver damage in mice has been investigated. DPPH radical scavenging and protection of Fenton reaction induced DNA damage was conducted in vitro. Post oral administration of CLME to iron overloaded mice, the levels of antioxidant and serum enzymes, hepatic iron, serum ferritin, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonyl and hydroxyproline contents were measured, in comparison to deferasirox treated mice. Oral treatment of the plant extract effectively lowered the elevated levels of liver iron, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl and hydroxyproline. There was notable increment in the dropped levels of hepatic antioxidants. The dosage of the plant extract not only made the levels of serum enzymes approach normal value, but also counteracted the overwhelmed serum ferritin level. The in vitro studies indicated potential antioxidant activity of CLME. The histopathological observations also substantiated the ameliorative function of the plant extract. Accordingly, it is suggested that Cajanus cajan leaf can be a useful herbal remedy to suppress oxidative damage caused by iron overload.

Use of cowpea and pigeon pea as nutritional ingredients in culture media

Dehydrated commercial culture media are hygroscopic and expensive. Cheap, locally available plant seeds such as cowpea [Vigna unguiculata] and pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan] could be used in the design and formulation of microbial culture media in order to reduce the cost. To make use of locally cheap seeds as a basic nutrient medium for the isolation of different microorganisms. Solid culture media from locally available plants were designed to include three types, [i] simple; [ii] enriched with the addition of human blood; [iii] differential with lactose and phenol red as a pH indicator, and formulated to contain cowpea and pigeon pea flours in combination in a concentrations of 2%. The name DANIEL and SHAMSOUN [D and S] was used for the designed media. Twenty bacterial species and Candida albicans were inoculated for the observation of the growth response. On D and S simple medium all the organisms grew typically except, Corynebacterium diphtheriae which did not grow and Streptococcus pyogenes and Neisseria meningitidis which revealed atypical colonies. On D and S human blood agar medium, all the organisms grew typically, but the beta- hemolysis of some of the [3-haemolytic species was not detected and some species revealed green pigmented colonies and green pigmentation on the medium. On D and S differential medium, all lactose-fermenting species revealed typical, yellow colonies and all non-lactose-fermenting species revealed typical, pink-red colonies, except, Vibrio cholerae, Bacillus cereus and Candida albicans which revealed typical, yellow colonies. The flours of cowpea and pigeon pea are good sources of protein, carbohydrates and minerals, so they can be used in the preparation of different types of culture media for the isolation of different species of bacteria and Candida albicans as shown in this study

Produção de biomassa e composição química de adubos verdes cultivados no vale do ribeira / Biomass production e chemical composition of green manure cultivated in vale do ribeira

A contribuição da adubação verde com leguminosas para melhoria do solo e produção agrícola depende em primeiro lugar da produção de biomassa e da sua composição química, que variam em função da espécie, região e estação de cultivo. Objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a composição química da biomassa produzida por adubos verdes no Vale do Ribeira, São Paulo, Brasil. Para tal, foi conduzido um experimento em Pariquera-Açu-SP, no ano agrícola 2006/2007, em blocos casualizados, com quatro tratamentos (três adubos verdes e vegetação espontânea) e cinco repetições. Aos 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias após a semeadura, foram coletadas amostras em 1 m² da parte aérea das plantas e determinada a matéria fresca e seca, bem como a composição da biomassa. Crotalária, guandu e mucuna produziram, em ordem decrescente, as maiores quantidades de biomassa e foram mais eficientes do que a vegetação espontânea. A biomassa produzida pelos adubos verdes apresentou qualidade superior à produzida pela vegetação espontânea. Crotalária e guandu apresentam maior proporção de matéria seca acumulada no caule que possui baixo teor de N, alta relação C/N e L/N, variáveis que tornam a decomposição dos resíduos mais lenta. A análise particionada da matéria seca permite indicação mais precisa da composição química dos resíduos e a previsão da disponibilidade dos nutrientes no solo.

The contribution of green manure to soil improvement and crop production depends primarily on biomass production and its chemical composition, which vary depending on the species, region and growing season. The aim of this research was to evaluate the chemical composition of biomass produced by green manures in Vale do Ribeira, São Paulo, Brazil. In order to develop this research, was carried an experiment in Pariquera-Açu, in 2006/2007, in completely randomized blocks design with four treatments (three green manure and spontaneous vegetation) and five replications. At 30, 60, 90 and 120 after sowing samples were collected in 1m2 of the shoots and determined fresh and dry, and chemical composition biomass. Sunhemp, pigeon pea and mucuna produced, in decreasing order, the largest quantities of biomass and were more efficient than the spontaneous vegetation. The biomass produced by green manure had higher quality than that produced by spontaneous vegetation. Sunhemp and pigeon pea have a higher proportion of dry matter in stems which have low N, high C/N and L/N ratio, variables indicating slow decomposition of residues. The analysis of dry matter partitioned to better indication of the chemical composition of the residues and the prevision of the availability of nutrients in the soil.

Neuroprotective effect of longistyline A against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells / 药学学报

This study is to investigate the protective effect of longistyline A against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. While PC12 cells were exposed to 100 micromol x L(-1) corticosterone for 48 h, cell survival rate was reduced and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release increased. In parallel, corticosterone caused significant elevations of DNA fragmentation, [Ca2+]i and caspase-3 activity. However, when the PC12 cells were incubated with longistyline A (4.0, 8.0 and 16.0 micromol x L(-1)) in the presence of 100 micromol x L(-1) corticosterone for 48 h, the effects were evidently alleviated, but dose-dependent manner was not obvious. In summary, longistyline A could generate a neuroprotective effect against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells possibly by decreasing [Ca2+]i and caspase-3 activity.

Plantas de cobertura no controle da erosão hídrica sob chuvas naturais / Cover plants in water erosion control under natural rainfall

As plantas de cobertura desempenham um conjunto de ações integradas que proporcionam benefícios aos sistemas agrícolas, com destaque para a redução da erosão hídrica que é a principal forma de degradação dos solos brasileiros. Assim, objetivou-se com este trabalho quantificar as perdas de solo, água e o potencial de arraste de sedimentos decorrentes da erosão hídrica, sob chuva natural. Neste experimento foram utilizadas quatro espécies de plantas de cobertura em dois sistemas: consórcio milheto (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Brown) com crotalária (Crotalaria spectabilis Roth) e consórcio de milheto com feijão-guandu (Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth), além do cultivo solteiro do milheto, feijão-guandu, feijão-de-porco (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC) e crotalária. Para a quantificação das perdas de solo, água e potencial de arraste de sedimentos do solo utilizaram-se parcelas de 4 x 12 m. Observou-se que os maiores índices de cobertura foram obtidos pelas espécies feijão-de-porco (77,63%), feijão-guandu (64,55%) e pelo consórcio milheto + feijão-guandu (64,11%). As menores perdas de solo foram obtidas pelo cultivo do feijão-guandu (1,27 Mg ha-1), do milheto (1,47 Mg ha-1) e do feijão-de-porco (1,77 Mg ha-1), e as menores perdas de água foram obtidas pelo cultivo do feijão-guandu (37,90 mm), do consórcio milheto + crotalária (40,04 mm) e pelo feijão-de-porco (41,83 mm). Não é possível inferir sobre uma relação entre os índices fitotécnicos e a proteção do solo contra a erosão hídrica.

Cover crops play a set of integrated actions that provide benefits to agricultural systems, with emphasis on reducing water erosion that is the main form of land degradation in Brazil. Thus the aim of this work was to quantify the losses of soil, water and the potential for entrainment of sediment resulting from water erosion under natural rainfall. In this experiment we used four species of cover crops in two systems: intercropping sunn hemp with millet and intercropping millet with pigeon pea, and the cropping to millet, pigeon pea, jack bean and sunn hemp. To quantify the losses of soil, water and the potential for entrainment of soil sediment were used plots of 4 x 12 m. It was observed that the highest rates of coverage were obtained by species jack bean (77.63%), pigeon pea (64.55%) and the consortium millet + pigeon pea (64.11%). The lowest soil loss was obtained by cultivation of pigeon pea (1.27 Mg ha-1), millet (1.47 Mg ha-1) and jack bean (1.77 Mg ha-1), and lowest water loss was obtained by cultivation of pigeon pea (37.90 mm), in the consortium millet + sunn hemp (40.04 mm) and jack bean (41.83 mm). It is not possible to infer a relationship between the rates phytotechnical and protection against soil erosion.

Prácticas agrícolas para el cultivo de Cajanus indicus Spreng (gandul) con fines terapéuticos / Agricultural practice for cultivation of Cajanus indicus Spreng (gandul) for therapeutic purposes

Introducción: Cajanus indicus Spreng (gandul), presenta gran interés terapéutico, sobre todo en la búsqueda de compuestos de origen vegetal que mediante mecanismo antimitótico inhiban el desarrollo de procesos cancerosos. Objetivos: determinar los aspectos agrícolas que proporcionen mayor producción de la parte aérea para su explotación con estos fines. Métodos: durante 2007-2009 se hicieron diferentes investigaciones en la Estación Experimental de Plantas Medicinales Dr. Juan Tomás Roig; en julio de 2007 se realizó un estudio para analizar el comportamiento de la planta y determinar la altura de corte que proporcionara su mejor rebrotación, posteriormente se estudió por 2 años consecutivos, febrero de 2008 hasta febrero de 2009, 2 distancias de siembra: 90 x 30 cm y 90 x 60 cm; y 2 momentos de inicio de cosecha: 3 y 4 meses de edad...

Introduction: Cajanus indicus Spreng. (gandul) is of great therapeutic interest mainly in the search of vegetal compounds capable of inhibiting cancerous processes through the antimycotic mechanism. Objectives: to determine the agricultural aspects that favour higher production of the aerial part of this plant to this end. Methods: in the 2007-2009 period, several research studies were performed in Dr Juan Tomás Roig experimental center of medicinal plants. In July, 2007 a study was conducted to analyze the behaviour of the plant and to determine the cutting height that will encourage the best sprout. From February 2008 to February 2009, 2 sowing distances (90 x 30 cm and 90 x 60 cm) and 2 times of harvest starting (3 and 4 months of age) were studied...

Determination of longistylin A and longistylin C in Cajanus cajan / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish quality control criteria for medicinal herb Cajanus cajan based on the determination of longistylin A and longistylin C, two bioactive and specific stilbenes of the plant.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Longistylin A and longistylin C were obtained from the leaves of C. cajan by silica gel column chromatography and identified as marker compounds of this plant by spectroscopic analysis. A RP-HPLC method was established to determine the two compounds.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Longistylin A and longistylin C were well separated on a Thermo BDS Hypersil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with a mobile phase methanol-water (8:2), and showed good linearity in the range of 0.00288 - 0.0576 microg and 0.0112 - 0.224 microg, respectively. The average recoveries were 98.9% and 97.2% with RSD of 2.4% and 2.2% for these two compounds, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The established analysis method is simple and accurate, whicn can be used for quality control of C. cajan.</p>

Hypocholesterolemic effect of stilbene extract from Cajanus cajan L. on serum and hepatic lipid in diet-induced hyperlipidemic mice / 药学学报

Cajanus cajan L. is a natural plant, which contains a lot of potential active components. In the present study, we identified the effects of the stilbene extract from Cajanus cajan L. (sECC) on hepatic cholesterol metabolism in diet-induced (for 4 weeks) hyperlipidemic Kunming mice. All experimental mice were divided into 5 groups: control group, high lipid model group, sECC-treated with 200 or 100 mg kg(-1), and simvastatin (Sim, 12 mg kg(-1)) treated group. The mice were fed with fat and cholesterol-enriched chow except control mice that were fed with standard diet. The effects of sECC were investigated by monitoring serum and liver lipid profile (i. e. cholesterol homeostasis) in mice. To further explore the mechanism of sECC, hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor expressions in cholesterol homeostasis were analyzed by reverse transcription PCR. After 4 weeks pretreatment, the mice in the high lipid model group showed markedly higher serum and hepatic lipid contents than control group (P< 0.01). Compared with high lipid model group, the increased serum and hepatic lipid contents were markedly attenuated by sECC (200 mg kg(-1)), the serum and hepatic total cholesterol were reduced by 31.5% and 22.7% (P<0.05), respectively. The triglyceride contents of serum and liver were also lowered by 23.0% and 14.4%, respectively. At the same times, serum LDL cholesterol decreased by 53.0% (P<0.01). The mRNA expressions of hepatic CYP7A1 and LDL-receptor were significantly enhanced in the mice administered with sECC (200 mg kg(-1)), whereas those expressions were suppressed by the fat and cholesterol-enriched diet. These data indicate that sECC reduces the atherogenic properties of dietary cholesterol in mice. It is indicated that expression enhancement of hepatic LDL-receptor and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase may be responsible for the hypercholesterolemic effect.

Cr (VI) and Fe (III) removal using Cajanus cajan husk.

Husk of tur dal (Cajanus cajan) was investigated as a new biosorbent for the removal of Fe (III) and Cr (VI) ions from aqueous solutions. Parameters like agitation time, adsorbent dosage and pH were studied at different initial Fe (III) and Cr (VI) concentrations. The biosorptive capacity of the Tur dal husk was dependent on the pH of the chromium and iron solution, with pH 2 and 2.5 respectively being optimal. The adsorption data fit well with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The practical limiting adsorption capacity (qmax) calculated from the Langmuir isotherm was 96.05 mg of Cr(VI)/ g of the biosorbent at an initial pH of 2.0 and 66.65 mg/g at pH 2.5. The infrared spectra of the biomass revealed that hydroxyl, carboxyl and amide bonds are involved in the uptake of Cr (VI) and Fe (III) ions. Characterisation of tur dal husk has revealed that it is an excellent material for treating wastewaters containing low concentration of metal ions.