Estudo farmacobotânico de partes aéreas vegetativas de aroeira-vermelha (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Anacardiaceae) / Pharmacobotanical study of the aerial parts of Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi)

Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae), conhecida como aroeira-vermelha é uma espécie nativa do Brasil, perenifólia e pioneira, sendo muito utilizada para combater diversas doenças, pois apresenta, entre outras, propriedades anti-inflamatórias e cicatrizantes. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi realizar um estudo morfoanatômico do caule e da folha de S. terebinthifolius, descrevendo a organização dos tecidos e suas possíveis variações. As análises macro e microscópicas foram realizadas com material selecionado de partes vegetativas de um espécime localizado na cidade de Campina Grande - PB. A aroeira-vermelha é um vegetal arbóreo e dióico, que apresenta caule cilíndrico e simpodial, com casca rugosa e estriada. A folha é perene, alterna, coriácea e composta. As análises microscópicas evidenciaram epiderme caulinar e foliar uniestratificadas, exceto na face adaxial da folha, que é bisseriada. No caule e no pecíolo são visualizados muitos tricomas tectores unicelulares, curtos, cônicos e agudos no ápice. Encontram-se canais secretores arredondados e bem desenvolvidos na região do floema em todos os órgãos estudados, bem como cutícula revestindo as células epidérmicas e grande quantidade de drusas de oxalato de cálcio. Os feixes vasculares são circundados por células esclerenquimáticas e apresentam o floema seguido por xilema helicoidal bem desenvolvido. No caule, pecíolo e nervura central da folha, o xilema é interno e o floema, externo. A aroeira-vermelha apresenta alguns aspectos estruturais característicos de plantas xerófilas, como camada múltipla da epiderme da face adaxial foliar, que protegem o mesofilo de excessiva dessecação; presença de cutícula espessa e grande quantidade de pêlos e de estômatos; além de sistema vascular bem desenvolvido, com abundância de esclerênquima, dando sustentação ao feixe.

Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae), popularly known as Brazilian pepper, is an evergreen, pioneer and indigenous plant from Brazil, and it is used to combat various diseases, as it presents anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. The aim of this research was to study the morpho-anatomical features of the stem and leaf of S. terebinthifolius, describing the organization of the tissues and their variations. The macroscopic and microscopic analyses were performed with material selected from vegetative parts of a specimen collected in the city of Campina Grande - state of Paraíba, Brazil. The Brazilian pepper is a dioecious plant with cylindrical and sympodial stem and rough and striated bark. The leaves are evergreen, alternate, leathery and compound. The microscopic analysis showed uniseriate epidermis in the stem and leaf, except in the adaxial leaf, which is biseriate. In the stem and petiole, many unicellular, short, conical tector trichomes with acute apex are observed. In the phloem of all studied organs, we found rounded and well-developed secretory ducts, as well as cuticle covering the epidermal cells and a large amount of calcium oxalate druses. The vascular bundles are surrounded by sclerenchyma cells and present phloem followed by well-developed spiral xylem. In the stem, petiole and leaf's central vein, the xylem is internal and the phloem is external. The Brazilian pepper has some structural features characteristic of xerophilous plants, such as multiple layers of the epidermis in adaxial leaf, which protects the mesophyll from excessive drying, thick cuticle and a large quantity of hairs and stomata, well-developed vascular system with plenty of sclerenchyma, giving support to the bundle.

Aspectos Estruturais e Fitoquímicos de partes vegetativas de Costus spicatus (Jacq. ) Sw. (Costaceae) / Structural and Phytochemical aspect from vegetative part of Costus spicatus (Jacq. ) Sw (Costaceae)

As folhas de Costus spicatus são amplamente empregadas na medicina popular para o tratamento de várias doenças entre elas: malária, hepatite e doença do aparelho urinário. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar aspectos da anatomia dos órgãos vegetativos (folhas, caules, raízes e rizomas) associados à triagem fitoquímica visando contribuir com informações relevantes para o desenvolvimento de estudos taxonômicos e farmacológicos. A análise anatômica por meio da microscopia óptica e de varredura evidenciou folha anfi-hipoestomática, com estômatos e tricomas tectores filamentosos simples. O mesofilo é constituído por parênquima clorofiliano, que se divide em duas regiões intercaladas por cordão de fibras e feixes vasculares. O caule é do tipo atactostélico como no rizoma. A raiz é poliarca. Os testes histoquímicos indicaram a presença de amido, proteínas estruturais, alcaloides, cristais de oxalato de cálcio. A prospecção química com extratos hidroalcoólico e aquoso constatou a presença de saponinas, taninos, alcaloides, compostos fenólicos e heterosídeos cianogênicos.

The leaves of Costus spicatus are widely employed in folk medicine for the treatment of several diseases, including: malaria, hepatitis and urinary tract disease. The purpose of this paper was to identify aspects of the anatomy of vegetative organs (leaves, stems, roots and rhizomes) associated with phytochemical screening to contribute with relevant information for the development of taxonomic and pharmacological studies. The anatomic analysis through optical microscopy and scanning showed amphistomatic leaves with tetracitic type stomats and simple filamentous tector trichomes. Mesophyll is constituted by a chlorophyllian parenchyma, which is divided into two regions intersected by a strand of fibers and vascular bundles. The stem is atactostelic, such as for the rhizome. The root is polyarc. The histochemical tests indicated the presence of structural proteins, alkaloids, and calcium oxalate crystals. Chemical prospecting with hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts attested the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, phenolic compounds and heterosides as cyanogenic glucosides.

[Investigation on medicinal plant resources of Glycyrrhiza uralensis in China and chemical assessment of its underground part].

OBJECTIVE: In order to find out the current situation of wild and cultivated resources of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, at the same time, the contents of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin were detected by HPLC. METHOD: Field investigation was carried out, and chemical composition of collected underground part was analyzed in laboratory. RESULT: The natural distribution range of wild G. uralensis in China has no significant change. We can still find its distribution in the distribution areas recorded ten years ago, but the intensity of species group has greatly changed. Estimated according to the survey data obtained by quadrat reserves and distribution (i.e., reserves per unit area) or cultivation area, that the current wild reserves is less than 500,000 tons and the less than 150,000 tons for cultivated. The analysis results of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin contents in 99 wild samples of collected underground part show that the average contents of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin were respectively 34.8, 17.3 mg x g(-1), of which 61.6% samples can reach the standard (not less than 20, 10 mg x g(-1)) marked by "Chinese Pharmacopoeia" (2005 edition); The average glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin contents of cultivated samples were respectively 28.5, 15.3 mg x g(-1), which were much lower than the wild samples. CONCLUSION: We should enhance efforts in protecting the wild resources, strive to improve the quality of cultivated herbs, vigorously develop high-quality G. uralensis cultivation industries and promote farmers income to resolve the resource crisis, which is the reasonable way to achieve continuable use of G. uralensis resources.

Elaiophores in Gomesa bifolia (Sims) M.W. Chase & N.H. Williams (Oncidiinae: Cymbidieae: Orchidaceae): structure and oil secretion.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Oils are an unusual floral reward in Orchidaceae, being produced by specialized glands called elaiophores. Such glands have been described in subtribe Oncidiinae for a few species. The aims of the present study were to identify the presence of elaiophores in Gomesa bifolia, to study their structure and to understand how the oil is secreted. Additionally, elaiophores of G. bifolia were compared with those of related taxa within the Oncidiinae. METHODS: Elaiophores were identified using Sudan III. Their structure was examined by using light, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. KEY RESULTS: Secretion of oils was from the tips of callus protrusions. The secretory cells each had a large, centrally located nucleus, highly dense cytoplasm, abundant plastids containing lipid globules associated with starch grains, numerous mitochondria, an extensive system of rough and smooth endoplasmatic reticulum, and electron-dense dictyosomes. The outer tangential walls were thick, with a loose cellulose matrix and a few, sparsely distributed inconspicuous cavities. Electron-dense structures were observed in the cell wall and formed a lipid layer that covered the cuticle of the epidermal cells. The cuticle as viewed under the scanning electron microscope was irregularly rugose. CONCLUSIONS: The elaiophores of G. bifolia are of the epithelial type. The general structure of the secretory cells resembles that described for other species of Oncidiinae, but some unique features were encountered for this species. The oil appears to pass through the outer tangential wall and the cuticle, covering the latter without forming cuticular blisters.

[Biomass structure analysis of Atractylodes lancea in different ecological environments].

OBJECTIVE: To study the ecological environments of Atractylodes lancea by biomass structural analysis. METHOD: Through the scientific investigation in Maoshan, the sampling spots were set up, the relation between growth and ecological environments was researched and the ecological environments of A. lancea were divided as following: the vegetation layer, the shrub layer, the shrub-weed layer and the weed layer. The ramet biomass, height, leaves and coverage of A. lancea were studied. RESULT: The several factors (ramet biomass, height, leaves and coverage) showed the regular change. Among maximum, minimum and average, the shrub layer was the biggest, the shrub and weed layer was the second biggest and the vegetation layer and the weed layer was the least. CONCLUSION: A. lancea tends to distribute in the shrub layer and the shrub-weed layer.

Programmed cell death progressively models the development of anther sporophytic tissues from the tapetum and is triggered in pollen grains during maturation.

To characterize the spatial and temporal occurrence of programmed cell death (PCD) in Lilium anther tissues, we used both microscopical and molecular markers of apoptosis for developmental stages from meiosis to pollen release. The first hallmarks of PCD include cell condensation and shrinkage of the cytoplasm, separation of chromatin into delineated masses, and DNA fragmentation in the tapetum as early as the premeiosis stage. PCD then extended to other anther sporophytic tissues, leading to anther dehiscence. Although the PCD clearly affected the endothecium and the epidermis, these two cell layers remained alive until anther dehiscence. In pollen, no sign of PCD was found until pollen mitosis I, after what apoptotic features developed progressively in the vegetative cell. In addition, DNA ladders were detected in all sporophytic tissues and cell types throughout pollen development, whereas in the male gametophyte DNA ladders were only detected during pollen maturation. Our data suggest that PCD is a progressive and active process affecting all the anther tissues, first being triggered in the tapetum.

Runcaria, a middle devonian seed plant precursor.

The emergence of the seed habit in the Middle Paleozoic was a decisive evolutionary breakthrough. Today, seed plants are the most successful plant lineage, with more than 250,000 living species. We have identified a middle Givetian (385 million years ago) seed precursor from Belgium predating the earliest seeds by about 20 million years. Runcaria is a small, radially symmetrical, integumented megasporangium surrounded by a cupule. The megasporangium bears an unopened distal extension protruding above the multilobed integument. This extension is assumed to be involved in anemophilous pollination. Runcaria sheds new light on the sequence of character acquisition leading to the seed.

Functional andromonoecy in Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae).

The occurrence of cyathia containing staminate flowers but lacking a pistillate flower was studied in 17 species of Euphorbia. Male cyathia were found in the majority of species studied (88.2%) giving functional andromonoecy. In the male cyathia, the pistillate flower is generally totally absent, but sometimes a vestigial pistillate flower with a non-functional ovary is present. The proportion of male cyathia varied at both the population and species level. The position of male cyathia within the inflorescence showed a constant pattern among species: the proportion of male cyathia decreased from the first to the last levels of the pleiochasia. In general, perennial species had significantly higher proportions of male cyathia than annual species (mean 20 and 2.3%, respectively). In annual species there was a trend for production of male cyathia only in the first level of the inflorescence, whereas in perennials production up to the fourth level of the inflorescence was usual. Functional andromonoecy is common in Euphorbia and represents a new sex segregation in the genus. The selective forces causing this secondary sex segregation in Euphorbia, such as improved pollination or increased outcrossing, are discussed.

Types of pollen dispersal units in orchids, and their consequences for germination and fertilization.

The various pollen dispersal units (PDU) found in orchids are discussed together with possible evolutionary trends and the consequences for germination and fertilization. Orchids with monad and tetrad pollen form more complex dispersal units by means of pollenkitt, elastoviscin, a callosic wall, common walls or a combination of these. Evolutionary trends include (1) from pollenkitt to elastoviscin; (2) from monad to tetrads and multiples of tetrads; (3) from partially dehydrated (<30 %) to partially hydrated (>30 %) pollen; and (4) from monad pollen to PDUs with many pollen grains. The biological consequences concern both male and female reproductive systems. Some features of the male side are present in all orchids irrespective of the pollen dispersal unit, whereas other characters are found only in orchids with pollinia; the same applies for the female counterpart. Pollen grains of orchids with pollinia germinate at least 24 h after pollination because the pollen grains/tetrads must swell and make space for the growth of pollen tubes.

Archaefructaceae, a new basal angiosperm family.

Archaefructaceae is proposed as a new basal angiosperm family of herbaceous aquatic plants. This family consists of the fossils Archaefructus liaoningensis and A. sinensis sp. nov. Complete plants from roots to fertile shoots are known. Their age is a minimum of 124.6 million years from the Yixian Formation, Liaoning, China. They are a sister clade to all angiosperms when their characters are included in a combined three-gene molecular and morphological analysis. Their reproductive axes lack petals and sepals and bear stamens in pairs below conduplicate carpels.

Pollinator-mediated selection on flower-tube length in a hawkmoth-pollinated Gladiolus (Iridaceae).

Darwin's mechanistic model whereby selection favours plants with flower tubes that exceed the tongue length of the primary pollinator, was tested using unmanipulated plants of the hawkmoth-pollinated South African iris, Gladiolus longicollis. The study population was characterized by exceptionally large phenotypic variation in flower-tube length (range 56-129 mm). Directional selection on tube length was revealed by a significant positive relationship between this trait and both fruit and seed set. Selection was attributed to the effect of tube length on pollen receipt, as supplemental hand pollinations showed fruit and seed set in the population to be pollen limited. Indirect selection on tube length may also occur through the correlation of this trait with inflorescence height, although direct selection on the latter trait was significant only for seed set. The main pollinators at the study site were individuals of the large hawkmoth Agrius convolvuli that had tongue lengths of 85-135 mm. Other hawkmoths had tongues that were much too short to reach the nectar in G. longicollis flowers and seldom carried pollen of G. longicollis. Flowers with tubes shorter than the tongues of A. convolvuli are apparently not effectively pollinated because stigmas do not contact the moth's head effectively. This study demonstrates that selection may occur among plants with natural phenotypic variation in flower-tube length, and supports Darwin's model of pollinator-mediated selection.

Differential expression of invertase genes in internal and external phloem tissues of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.).

The cloning of promoter sequences of two invertase genes from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is described. Histochemical analysis of series of reporter transgenic lines reveals phloem-specific expression from both promoters, with one expressed preferentially in internal phloem and the other in external phloem of stem vascular bundles.

Differential localization of arabinan and galactan side chains of rhamnogalacturonan 1 in cambial derivatives.

The development of pectin structural features during the differentiation of cambial derivatives was investigated in aspen (Populus tremula L. x P. tremuloides Michx.) using biochemical and immunocytochemical methods. Comparisons were also made between active and resting tissues. Active tissues, in particular cambial cells and phloem derivatives, were characterized by a high pectin content. Use of antibodies raised against arabinan side chains of rhamnogalacturonan 1 (LM6), as well as biochemical analysis, revealed an obvious decrease from the cortex to the differentiating xylem. Galactan side chains, detected with LM5 antibodies, were present mainly in the cambial zone and enlarging xylem cells. In contrast, they were totally absent from sieve-tube cell walls. Image analysis of LM5 immunogold labelling in the cambial zone showed a clustered distribution of galactan epitopes in the radial walls, a distribution which might result from the association of two different periodic processes, namely the exocytosis of galactan and wall expansion. Cessation of cambial activity was characterized by cell wall thickening accompanied by a sharp decrease in the relative amount of pectin and a lowering of the degree of methylesterification. The data provide evidence that the walls of phloem and xylem cells differ in their pectin composition even at a very early stage of commitment. These differences offer useful tools for identifying the initial cells among their immediate neighbours.