Phylogeny and biogeography of Astraea with new insights into the evolutionary history of Crotoneae (Euphorbiaceae).

We investigated species relationships in Astraea, a primarily Neotropical genus of tribe Crotoneae centered in Brazil, using data from the nuclear ribosomal ITS, and the plastid trnL-trnF and psbA-trnH spacers. With all species of Astraea sampled, along with representatives from across Crotoneae, the evolutionary history of Astraea was interpreted in a broader framework, as well as divergence time estimates and reconstructions of ancestral areas and morphological character states for Crotoneae. Our results show that Astraea is monophyletic, consisting of three main clades, and that most of its diversification took place from the Oligocene to the Pliocene, coincident with the formation of the South American "dry diagonal". As for Crotoneae, our data show incongruent phylogenetic positions between the nuclear and chloroplast data for most of its genera, and that the ancestor of the tribe was probably arborescent and might have occupied the Amazon Basin, most likely in moist forest, from which it spread throughout South America in the early Eocene. Ancestral state reconstruction recovered deeply lobed leaves and staminate petals bearing moniliform trichomes as putative synapomorphies for Astraea, whereas the absence or strong reduction of pistillate petals is widespread in Crotoneae and may be a synapomorphy for the tribe.

Análise da composição do óleo essencial de Croton tricolor como um modelo na criação de acordes em fragrâncias na indústria da perfumaria / Analysis of the Croton tricolor essential oil composition as a model in the creation of fragrance accords for the perfumery industry

O uso de óleos essenciais na indústria de fragrância tem crescido a cada ano. A indústria de cosméticos, em geral, tem buscado este tipo de ingrediente com o objetivo de agregar atributos únicos e melhores aos seus produtos e assim entregar, ao consumidor final, diferenciais que poderão valorizar suas formulações, além de simplesmente perfumar. O benefício de usar óleos naturais ou acordes de seus principais componentes em formulações de fragrâncias é que estes se tornam composições mais ricas, e em muitos casos, capazes de proporcionar perfumação prolongada ao produto, quando comparados àqueles sintetizados. A presença de compostos variados nos óleos, como terpenos e resinas, ajudam a promover singularidades à fragrância e até mesmo servem como inspiração às criações de produtos com descrições olfativas de produtos naturais. Croton tricolor (Euphorbiaceae), segundo avaliação inicial de um perfumista, apresentou excelentes características olfativas, o que facilitou seu uso nos estudos. A análise do óleo essencial de C. tricolor por cromatografia à gás com detector de ionização de chamas (CG/DIC) e cromatografia à gás acoplada à espectrometria de massas (CG/EM) permitiu quantificar e identificar seus principais marcadores, bem como utilizar estas informações para construção de acorde olfativo, reproduzindo o odor do produto natural. O óleo essencial de C. tricolor apresentou como principais componentes o biciclogermacreno (15,4%), espatulenol (10,5%) e o alfa-pineno (6,8%). A partir destes dados foi construído um acorde aromático que reproduziu o odor original, contendo alfa-pineno (7%), álcool fenetílico (5%), óleo de cedro (5%), óleo de laranja (0,5%), limoneno (1%), eucaliptol (0,5%) e nerolidol (0,3%). Os compostos majoritários, biciclogermacreno e espatulenol, não foram adicionados por não serem disponíveis comercialmente, por isso, usaram-se outras matérias-primas semelhantes em perfil olfativo e ofertadas no mercado, como foi o caso do uso de álcool fenetílico, óleo de cedro e óleo de laranja na criação do acorde. Os resultados evidenciaram que a criação de acordes é um método economicamente viável para a reprodução de odores naturais que podem ser utilizados em formulações de fragrâncias, além de ajudar a resolver problemas na produção e comercialização de óleos essenciais como, sazonalidade e reprodutibilidade

The use of essential oils in the fragrance industry has grown every year. The cosmetics industry has generally sought this type of ingredient, with the aim of providing its products with differentiated benefits (unique and better attributes), and thus delivering to the final consumer a differential that can enhance their formulations, besides simply perfuming their products (theirs). The benefit of using natural oils or accords of their major components in fragrance formulations makes them richer, and in many cases capable of providing prolonged perfuming to the final product when compared to synthesized products. The presence of varied compounds in the oils, such as terpenes or (and) resins, helps to promote differentiated fragrance characteristics (singularities/peculiarities to the fragrance), or (and) even to serve as inspiration for product creations with olfactory descriptions of natural products. Croton tricolor (Euphorbiaceae), accordingly to an initial evaluation of a perfumer, presented excellent olfactory characteristics, which facilitated its use in the studies. The analysis of the C. tricolor essential oil by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC/FID) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) allowed to quantify and identify their main markers, as well as to use this information to construct an olfactory accord that reproduces the odor of natural products. The C. tricolor essential oil had as main components bicyclogermacrene (15.4%), spathulenol (10.5%) and alpha pinene (6.8%). From these data, an aromatic accord was created reproducing the original odor containing alpha pinene (7%), phenethyl alcohol (5%), cedar oil (5%), orange oil (0.5%), limonene (1%), eucalyptol (0.5%) and nerolidol (0.3%). Some of the major compounds, bicyclogermacrene and spatulenol, could not be added because they were not commercially available. In these cases (therefore), other products (raw materials) with similar olfactory characteristics (olfactory profile) and commercially viable (offered on the market) were used, such as the use of phenethyl alcohol, cedar oil and orange oil in the accord creation. The results showed that accord creation is an economically viable method for the reproduction of natural odors that can be used in fragrance formulations and may help to solve problems that exist in the production and commercialization of essential oils such as production seasonality and reproducibility

Floral morphology and anatomy of Dalechampia alata Klotzsch ex Baill. (Euphorbiaceae), with emphasis on secretory structures.

The morphology and anatomy of the flower of Dalechampia alata, as well as the chemical nature of the exudates secreted in the inflorescence were studied using light microscope. This is the first report showing the presence of colleters in the genus Dalechampia. In the staminate flower occur a group of small secretory glands. The histochemical results indicate that the substance secreted from the glands is lipidic and resinuous in nature, while in the colleters it consists of polysaccharides and lipid-rich substances. The ovule of D. alata are anatropous, subglobose and bitegmic. It presents obturator, micropyle occluded by nucellar beak and meristematic activity in the ovary wall. The secretion produced in the stigmatic and transmitting tissue consists of polysaccharides.

Floral morphology and anatomy of Dalechampia alata Klotzsch ex Baill. (Euphorbiaceae), with emphasis on secretory structures / Morfologia e anatomia da flor de Dalechampia alata Klotzsch ex Baill. (Euphorbiaceae), com ênfase nas estruturas secretoras

Abstract The morphology and anatomy of the flower of Dalechampia alata, as well as the chemical nature of the exudates secreted in the inflorescence were studied using light microscope. This is the first report showing the presence of colleters in the genus Dalechampia. In the staminate flower occur a group of small secretory glands. The histochemical results indicate that the substance secreted from the glands is lipidic and resinuous in nature, while in the colleters it consists of polysaccharides and lipid-rich substances. The ovule of D. alata are anatropous, subglobose and bitegmic. It presents obturator, micropyle occluded by nucellar beak and meristematic activity in the ovary wall. The secretion produced in the stigmatic and transmitting tissue consists of polysaccharides.(AU)

Resumo A morfologia e anatomia das flores de Dalechampia alata, bem como a natureza química dos exsudatos secretados na inflorescência foram analisadas utilizando microscopia de luz. Este é o primeiro relato de coléteres para o gênero Dalechampia. Um grupo de pequenas glândulas secretoras ocorre nas flores estaminadas. Os resultados dos testes histoquímicos indicam que a substância secretada pelas glândulas apresenta natureza lipídica e resinosa, enquanto nos coléteres a secreção é constituída de polissacarídeos e lipídeos. O ovulo de D. alata é anátropo, subgloboso e bitegumentado. A presença de obturador, projeção do tecido nucelar pela micrópila e atividade meristemática na parede do ovário foram relatadas. A secreção do estigma e do tecido transmissor é constituída de polissacarídeos.(AU)

Floral morphology and anatomy of Dalechampia alata Klotzsch ex Baill. (Euphorbiaceae), with emphasis on secretory structures / Morfologia e anatomia da flor de Dalechampia alata Klotzsch ex Baill. (Euphorbiaceae), com ênfase nas estruturas secretoras

Abstract The morphology and anatomy of the flower of Dalechampia alata, as well as the chemical nature of the exudates secreted in the inflorescence were studied using light microscope. This is the first report showing the presence of colleters in the genus Dalechampia. In the staminate flower occur a group of small secretory glands. The histochemical results indicate that the substance secreted from the glands is lipidic and resinuous in nature, while in the colleters it consists of polysaccharides and lipid-rich substances. The ovule of D. alata are anatropous, subglobose and bitegmic. It presents obturator, micropyle occluded by nucellar beak and meristematic activity in the ovary wall. The secretion produced in the stigmatic and transmitting tissue consists of polysaccharides.

Resumo A morfologia e anatomia das flores de Dalechampia alata, bem como a natureza química dos exsudatos secretados na inflorescência foram analisadas utilizando microscopia de luz. Este é o primeiro relato de coléteres para o gênero Dalechampia. Um grupo de pequenas glândulas secretoras ocorre nas flores estaminadas. Os resultados dos testes histoquímicos indicam que a substância secretada pelas glândulas apresenta natureza lipídica e resinosa, enquanto nos coléteres a secreção é constituída de polissacarídeos e lipídeos. O ovulo de D. alata é anátropo, subgloboso e bitegumentado. A presença de obturador, projeção do tecido nucelar pela micrópila e atividade meristemática na parede do ovário foram relatadas. A secreção do estigma e do tecido transmissor é constituída de polissacarídeos.

Foliar secretory structures in Crotoneae (Euphorbiaceae): Diversity, anatomy, and evolutionary significance.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Phylogenetic and morphological studies have helped clarify the systematics of large and complex groups such as the tribe Crotoneae (Euphorbiaceae). However, very little is known about the diversity, structure, and function of anatomical features in this tribe. Crotoneae comprises the species-rich pantropical genus Croton and six small neotropical genera. Here we characterized the anatomy of leaf secretory structures in members of this tribe and explored their function and evolutionary significance. METHODS: Young and mature leaves of 26 species were studied using standard anatomical light microscopy techniques. Three sections of Croton and one representative of Brasiliocroton and Astraea were sampled. KEY RESULTS: We identified five types of secretory structures: laticifers, colleters, extrafloral nectaries, idioblasts, and secretory trichomes. Laticifers were present in all species studied except Croton alabamensis, which instead presented secretory parenchyma cells. Articulated laticifers are reported in Crotoneae for the first time. Colleters of the standard type were observed in the majority of the sampled taxa. Extrafloral nectaries were present in section Cleodora and in B. mamoninha, but absent in section Lamprocroton and Astraea lobata. Idioblasts were spread throughout the palisade and/or spongy parenchyma in most of the studied species. Secretory trichomes were restricted to Lamprocroton except for C. imbricatus. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a high diversity of secretory structures, including novel ones, in one of the largest clades of Euphorbiaceae. Our results are promising for investigations on the anatomical and ecophysiological bases of species diversification within Euphorbiaceae.

Genetic constraints predict evolutionary divergence in Dalechampia blossoms.

If genetic constraints are important, then rates and direction of evolution should be related to trait evolvability. Here we use recently developed measures of evolvability to test the genetic constraint hypothesis with quantitative genetic data on floral morphology from the Neotropical vine Dalechampia scandens (Euphorbiaceae). These measures were compared against rates of evolution and patterns of divergence among 24 populations in two species in the D. scandens species complex. We found clear evidence for genetic constraints, particularly among traits that were tightly phenotypically integrated. This relationship between evolvability and evolutionary divergence is puzzling, because the estimated evolvabilities seem too large to constitute real constraints. We suggest that this paradox can be explained by a combination of weak stabilizing selection around moving adaptive optima and small realized evolvabilities relative to the observed additive genetic variance.

Variação longitudinal da massa específica básica da madeira de Cordia americana e Alchornea triplinervia / Longitudinal variation of basic density of Cordia americana and Alchornea triplinervia wood

A massa específica básica (MEb) é um dos principais parâmetros das propriedades da madeira. Considerando isso, este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a variação longitudinal da MEb da madeira de Cordia americana (Linnaeus) Gottshling & J.E. Mill e de Alchornea triplinervia (Sprengel) Müller Argoviensis. As árvores foram selecionadas em um fragmento de Floresta Estacional Decidual Aluvial, em Iraí-RS, que, após o abate, foram medidas e cubadas pelo método de Smalian. Para a determinação da MEb, foram retirados discos nas posições da base, 25, 50, 75 e 100% da altura comercial e no diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP), 1,30 m do solo. Os resultados indicaram que a MEb da madeira de Alchornea triplinervia (S.) apresentou padrão homogêneo no sentido longitudinal do fuste; diferentemente da variação encontrada para Cordia americana (L.), em que os maiores valores dessa característica foram observados na base, com tendência decrescente até o topo das árvores.(AU)

The specific gravity (MEb) is one of the main parameters of wood properties. Considering that, this study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal variation of the basic density of the wood of Cordia americana (Linnaeus) Gottshling & J.E. Mill and Alchornea triplinervia (Sprengel) Müller Argoviensis. The trees were selected in a fragment of subtropical semideciduals forest (local name Floresta Estacional Decidual), in Iraí-RS, Brazil that, after logging, were measured and scaled by the method of Smalian. To examine the wood density, discs were collected with about two centimeters at positions base, 1.3 m (DBH), 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the height along de stem. Two wedges being withdrawn symmetrical and opposite, which was obtained green volume, wood saturated and dry weight in an oven at 103C (±2°C). Alchornea triplinervia (S.) showed homogeneous wood density in the longitudinal direction of the stem, and Cordia americana (L.) had decreased wood density towards base-top.(AU)

Actividad Antitumoral y Anti VIH-I de la Alchornea castaneifolia, HIPORURO / Antitumor and Anti HIV-I castaneifolia Alchornea, HIPORURO

Se evaluó la actividad antitumoral, sobre el sarcoma 180, y la actividad antiviral sobre el virus del VIH-1, de los extractos de las hojas de Alchornea castaneifolia, HIPORURO, aislándose algunos marcadores químicos. Método: La actividad antiviral sobre la Transcriptasa Reversa (RT) del HIV-1, fue realizada con el Kit Lenti RT TM Activity Assay, usando como control positivo Nevirapine 1nM. En el ensayo en Artemia salina se siguió la metodología del CYTED. Evaluamos el efecto antitumoral, en vivo, del extracto atomizado de las hojas de Alchornea castaneifolia HIPORURO, en ratones albinos hembras, a los cuales se les inoculó, vía subcutánea, 0.5 ml de líquido ascítico con células tumorales de sarcoma 180 (TIB 66) Lot -3582231, donado por el NAMRID. Se evaluó: las metástasis, la diferenciación neoplásica, la viabilidad tumoral y la apoptosis. El fraccionamiento de los extractos biactivos, se realizó utilizando técnicas espectroscópicas y cromatográficas, búsquedas automatizadas instrumentales (GC-EM) y electrónicas en diferentes bases de datos. Resultados: El extracto de hojas de hiporuro, presentó una inhibición antiviral de 67.64% sobre el VIH-1, similar al alcaloide aislado, en el presente trabajo, y codificado como H%, en comparación con el Nevirapine, fármaco usado en la terapia de pacientes con HIV-1, el cual presentó 71% de inhibición. En Artemia salina, la CL50 fue de 14,95 ppm, con un límite superior e inferior, al 95%, de 25,77 ppm y de 8,67 ppm, respectivamente, con un valor de p<0,01. Asimismo, se pudo observar que la cepa de sarcoma P180 utilizada, presenta un alto grado de indiferenciación, con diseminación a partes blandas y celoma, siendo el estómago el órgano más afectado. La neoplasia cursó con grandes áreas de necrosis que fueron de 60 a 80%. En los grupos de prevención se obtuvieron resultados satisfactorios por el alto grado de necrosis tumoral, pero sin valor significativo. Se observó hiperplasia del tejido linfoide, como probable respuesta...

The antitumoral activity of Alchornea castaneifolia, HIPORURO from leaves over 180 and its antiviral activity over HIV-1 virus were evaluated. Some chemical markers were isolated. Methods: The antiviral activity over the Transcriptasa Reversa of HIV-1 was performed with the Lenti RT TM Activity Assay kit. Nevirapine, 1nM, was used as positive control. CYTED methodology was followed on the Artemia Salina test. The antitumoral effect was evaluated in vivo from the atomized extract from the Alchornea castaneifolia leaves HIPORURO. Albino female mice were inoculated with o.5 mL of ascetic liquid with tumor cells of sarcoma 180 (TIB 66) Lot-3582231, donated by NAMRID. Metastasis, neoplásica difference, tumor viability and apoptosis were evaluated. The breaking up of the bioactive extracts was done utilizing spectroscopy and chromatographic techniques. Automated instrumental and electronic search (GC-EM) was done over several databases. Results: The extract from hiporuro leaves presented 67.64% antiviral inhibition over HIV-I. In contrast, Nevirapine presented 71% inhibition. In the Artemia Salina test, CL50 had 14.95 ppm, with superior and inferior limits, at 95% confidence, of 25.77ppm and 8.67 ppm respectively (p < 0.01). Sarcoma P 180 presented a high grade of undifferentiation with spreading to soft parts and celoma. Stomach was the most affected organ. Neoplasia had large areas of necrosis (60 to 80 %). Satisfactory results were obtained in prevention groups due to the high linfoide tissue as a probable response to the tumoral injury. Presence of FITOL and CANFEROL was corroborated and isolated by the H54 alkaloid. Attached are the spectrals from the RMN of 1H y 13C, as well as the gas-mass chromatograms of the isolated components. Discussion: Fitol, canferol, isolated alkaloid H5 and the presence of flavonoides could be involved in the pharmacological action of the hiporuro extract.

[Leaf anatomy of the subtribe Conceveibinae (Euphorbiaceae)]. / Anatomía foliar de la subtribu Conceveibinae (Euphorbiaceae).

A comparative study of the leaf anatomy of the subtribe Conceveibinae was carried out. Leaves show a similar structural arrangement in all species, however, there are small variations among the taxa that allow definitions of species or groups. It is not possible to recognize infrageneric divisions or to maintain some genera as different from Conceveiba. The analysis included the study of 11 characters of taxonomic importance of the leaf: the form, the size and the apex of the papillae of the lower side of the blade, the number of layers of the palisade parenchyma, the presence or absence of the midrib pith, the number of vascular bundles of petiole as well as the central cylinder and the medulla, and the presence or absence of the sclerenchyma in the different levels of the petiole. The results are evaluated from a taxonomical point of view. With leaf anatomy characters only, it is possible to separate the genus Conceveiba in the subtribe.