Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects of a flavonoid-rich phytocomplex from the leaves of Celtis iguanaea (jacq.) Sargent (Cannabaceae).

We demonstrated the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the ethyl acetate leaf extract of Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sargent (EAECi) in mice. The in vitro antioxidant activity of EAECi and its phytoconstituents was also investigated. The antinociceptive effect of EAECi is attributed to its anti-inflammatory activity, as evidenced by its anti-hyperalgesic and antiedematogenic effects. EAECi reduced polymorphonuclear cell migration, myeloperoxidase activity, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1ß), and PGE2 levels. The levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) were increased compared to the vehicle-treated groups. The overall antioxidant capacity of EAECi is noteworthy, with the Electrochemical Index determined by Differential Pulse Voltammetry being 42.7 µA/V. Concurrently, Square Wave Voltammetry revealed the reversibility of the redox process (Ep1a/Ep1c) at 0.254 V. The presence of twenty-six phytochemicals, primarily flavone aglycones, was suggested by paper-spray mass spectrometry. These findings represent a step towards validating C. iguanaea leaf extract for treating acute inflammatory conditions.

Larvicidal activity of hexane extract, fatty acids, and methyl esters from Tecoma stans pericarps against Culex quinquefasciatus.

Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) is responsible for the transmission of lymphatic filariasis. The search for natural sources of new insecticides to control mosquitoes has intensified in recent years. Tecoma stans is an exotic species in Brazil, known as 'ipê de jardim'. T. stans pericarps were extracted with hexane in Soxhlet apparatus, and fatty acids (FA) and methyl esters (FAME) were obtained by transesterification reaction of hexane extract (HE). HE, FA, and FAME were evaluated against 3rd. and 4th. instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus. Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) identified the hydrocarbon nonacosane (81.69%) as the major compound in HE, and linolenic (16.89%), linoleic (16.83%), and palmitic acids (21.00%) were predominant in FA. FA and HE, at a concentration of 250 µg/mL, promoted mortality of 81.67% and 68.66% of larvae, respectively. HE and FA obtained from T. stans pericarps have larvicidal potential for the control of C. quinquefasciatus.

In vitro germination, callus induction and phenolic compounds contents from Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl) Miers / Germinação in vitro, indução de calos e teores de compostos fenólicos em Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl) Miers

A protocol for the in vitro germination and callus induction in Pyrostegia venusta, a medicinal plant species from the Brazilian savannah (Cerrado) is provided. The establishment of cultures of P. venusta was originally obtained from seeds germinated in vitro and induced callus directly from leaf explants of seedlings. Seeds were germinated on MS and WPM media containing 100 and 50% of salt concentration, supplemented with 30 g L-1 sucrose. Callus induction consisted of the inoculation of leaf segments on MS medium plus 2,4-D or BAP in the presence or absence of light. The germination percentage averaged 85% and the aerial parts and roots of seedlings obtained in WPM with 50 and 100% of salt concentration showed elevated contents of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids compared to those obtained on MS medium. Calli induced with lower concentrations of 2,4-D had higher fresh and dry weight values. All treatments resulted in obtaining calli with contents of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids at or above the initial explant, highlighting treatments containing 9.05 µM 2,4-D and 8.88 µM BAP in the presence and absence of light, and 17.75 µM BAP in the absence of light.

É apresentado um protocolo para a germinação in vitro e indução de calos em Pyrostegia venusta, uma espécie medicinal do Cerrado. O estabelecimento de culturas foi obtido a partir de sementes germinadas in vitro e a indução de calos diretamente de explantes foliares das plântulas obtidas. Sementes foram germinadas em meios MS e WPM contendo 100 e 50% da concentração de sais, suplementado com 30 g L-1 de sacarose. A calogênese consistiu na inoculação de segmentos foliares em meio MS acrescido de 2,4-D ou BAP, na presença ou ausência de luz. A percentagem de germinação foi 85%, em média. Partes aéreas e raízes de plântulas obtidas em meio WPM com 50 e 100% da concentração de sais, apresentaram elevados teores de compostos fenólicos totais e flavonoides, em relação àquelas obtidas em meio MS. Calos induzidos com menores concentrações de 2,4-D apresentaram maiores valores de matéria fresca e seca. Todos os tratamentos proporcionaram a obtenção de calos com teores de compostos fenólicos totais e flavonoides iguais ou superiores ao explante inicial, com destaque para os tratamentos com 9,05 µM de 2,4-D e 8,88 µM de BAP, na presença e ausência de luz e 17,75 µM de BAP, na ausência de luz.

In vitro germination, callus induction and phenolic compounds contents from Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl. ) Miers / Germinação in vitro, indução de calos e teores de compostos fenólicos em Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl. ) Miers

A protocol for the in vitro germination and callus induction in Pyrostegia venusta, a medicinal plant species from the Brazilian savannah (Cerrado) is provided. The establishment of cultures of P. venusta was originally obtained from seeds germinated in vitro and induced callus directly from leaf explants of seedlings. Seeds were germinated on MS and WPM media containing 100 and 50% of salt concentration, supplemented with 30 g L-1 sucrose. Callus induction consisted of the inoculation of leaf segments on MS medium plus 2,4-D or BAP in the presence or absence of light. The germination percentage averaged 85% and the aerial parts and roots of seedlings obtained in WPM with 50 and 100% of salt concentration showed elevated contents of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids compared to those obtained on MS medium. Calli induced with lower concentrations of 2,4-D had higher fresh and dry weight values. All treatments resulted in obtaining calli with contents of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids at or above the initial explant, highlighting treatments containing 9.05 mM 2,4-D and 8.88 mM BAP in the presence and absence of light, and 17.75 mM BAP in the absence of light.(AU)

É apresentado um protocolo para a germinação in vitro e indução de calos em Pyrostegia venusta, uma espécie medicinal do Cerrado. O estabelecimento de culturas foi obtido a partir de sementes germinadas in vitro e a indução de calos diretamente de explantes foliares das plântulas obtidas. Sementes foram germinadas em meios MS e WPM contendo 100 e 50% da concentração de sais, suplementado com 30 g L-1 de sacarose. A calogênese consistiu na inoculação de segmentos foliares em meio MS acrescido de 2,4-D ou BAP, na presença ou ausência de luz. A percentagem de germinação foi 85%, em média. Partes aéreas e raízes de plântulas obtidas em meio WPM com 50 e 100% da concentração de sais, apresentaram elevados teores de compostos fenólicos totais e flavonoides, em relação àquelas obtidas em meio MS. Calos induzidos com menores concentrações de 2,4-D apresentaram maiores valores de matéria fresca e seca. Todos os tratamentos proporcionaram a obtenção de calos com teores de compostos fenólicos totais e flavonoides iguais ou superiores ao explante inicial, com destaque para os tratamentos com 9,05 M de 2,4-D e 8,88 M de BAP, na presença e ausência de luz e 17,75 M de BAP, na ausência de luz.(AU)

Distribution and structural aspects of extrafloral nectaries in leaves of Pyrostegia venusta (Bignoniaceae) / Distribuição e aspectos estruturais de nectários extraflorais em folhas de Pyrostegia venusta (Bignoniaceae)

Pyrostegia venusta (the orange trumpet or commoly called cipَ-de-Sمo-Joمo in Brazil), a medicinal plant that grows with other plants, has an ecological importance due to the presence of nectaries on the leaves. The aim of this work was to study structural and histochemical aspects and the distribution of extrafloral nectaries (ENFs) in P. venusta leaves. Young leaves were collected, fixed and processed by usual techniques, and studied under light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Analyses showed that the extrafloral nectaries are dispersed throughout the leaf, with concentrations mainly in the basal third section. Nectaries lie in epidermal depressions and can be found in abaxial and adaxial leaf blades. Their morphology may be characterized macroscopically by achlorophyllous halos and microscopically as structures consisting of a short pedicel, oval multicellular head, covered by a thin cuticular layer with a secretory pole. Reducing sugars, neutral polysaccharides, proteins, starch and phenolic compounds were detected in extrafloral nectaries.(AU)

. Pyrostegia venusta (cipَ-de-Sمo-Joمo) é uma planta medicinal que cresce junto a outras plantas e que apresenta também importância ecolَgica, pela presença de nectلrios na regiمo dos folيolos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar aspectos estruturais, histoquيmicos e da distribuiçمo de nectلrios extraflorais (NEFs) em folhas de P. venusta. Folhas jovens foram coletadas, fixadas e processadas por técnicas usuais e estudadas sob microscopia de luz e eletrônica de varredura. As anلlises mostraram que os NEFs estمo dispersos por toda a folha, concentrando-se preferencialmente no terço basal. Os nectلrios estمo localizados em depressُes epidérmicas e podem ser encontrados nas faces abaxial e adaxial da lâmina foliar. Macroscopicamente, os NEFs podem ser caracterizados como halos aclorofilados e microscopicamente, como estruturas com pedicelo curto, cabeça ovoide pluricelular, recobertos por uma fina camada cuticular e um polo secretor. Nos nectلrios extraflorais foram detectados açْcares redutores, polissacarيdeos neutros, proteيnas, amido e compostos fenَlicos.(AU)

Distribution and structural aspects of extrafloral nectaries in leaves of Pyrostegia venusta (Bignoniaceae) / Distribuição e aspectos estruturais de nectários extraflorais em folhas de Pyrostegia venusta (Bignoniaceae)

Pyrostegia venusta (the orange trumpet or commoly called cipó-de-São-João in Brazil), a medicinal plant that grows with other plants, has an ecological importance due to the presence of nectaries on the leaves. The aim of this work was to study structural and histochemical aspects and the distribution of extrafloral nectaries (ENFs) in P. venusta leaves. Young leaves were collected, fixed and processed by usual techniques, and studied under light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Analyses showed that the extrafloral nectaries are dispersed throughout the leaf, with concentrations mainly in the basal third section. Nectaries lie in epidermal depressions and can be found in abaxial and adaxial leaf blades. Their morphology may be characterized macroscopically by achlorophyllous halos and microscopically as structures consisting of a short pedicel, oval multicellular head, covered by a thin cuticular layer with a secretory pole. Reducing sugars, neutral polysaccharides, proteins, starch and phenolic compounds were detected in extrafloral nectaries.

Pyrostegia venusta (cipó-de-São-João) é uma planta medicinal que cresce junto a outras plantas e que apresenta também importância ecológica, pela presença de nectários na região dos folíolos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar aspectos estruturais, histoquímicos e da distribuição de nectários extraflorais (NEFs) em folhas de P. venusta. Folhas jovens foram coletadas, fixadas e processadas por técnicas usuais e estudadas sob microscopia de luz e eletrônica de varredura. As análises mostraram que os NEFs estão dispersos por toda a folha, concentrando -se preferencialmente no terço basal. Os nectários estão localizados em depressões epidérmicas e podem ser encontrados nas faces abaxial e adaxial da lâmina foliar. Macroscopicamente, os NEFs podem ser caracterizados como halos aclorofilados e microscopicamente, como estruturas com pedicelo curto, cabeça ovoide pluricelular, recobertos por uma fina camada cuticular e um polo secretor. Nos nectários extraflorais foram detectados açúcares redutores, polissacarídeos neutros, proteínas, amido e compostos fenólicos.