A novel approach to Cestrum intermedium (mata-boi): anatomical and physical-chemical characterization, in vitro biological activities, and metabolites of a Brazilian native species

Abstract The Brazilian native species Cestrum intermedium, known as mata-boi, induces hepatotoxicity and death when ingested by cattle. While most studies on this species focus on toxicological features, our study is the first to describe the anatomy and in vitro biological activities of Cestrum intermedium. We investigated adult leaves and stems by histochemistry, described their anatomy, performed physical-chemical analysis, determined in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and identified secondary metabolites. A few noteworthy anatomical features were the anomocytic stomata on the abaxial surface and the absence of trichomes, in addition to the circular shaped petiole with two projections on the adaxial surface. Histochemical analysis showed chemical markers such as alkaloids, usually reported as toxic, and terpenoids. Potassium nitrate (ATR-FTIR) and lupeol palmitate (NMR) were detected on the crude stem extract. Thermogravimetric and physical-chemical analysis provided fingerprint parameters for the species. Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assay revealed that Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Candida albicans were weakly inhibited by extract samples. Chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions presented high phenolic content, which resulted in in vitro antioxidant activity. These novel features expand the knowledge about this species, considering that previous studies mainly focused on its toxicity. Our study also provided characteristics that may help in avoiding misidentification between Cestrum members, especially when taxonomic keys cannot be employed, as in the absence of flowers and fruits.

A study of the phytotoxic effects of the aerial parts of Senecio westermanii Dusén (Asteraceae) on Lactuca sativa L. and Allium cepa L. seeds

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the ethanolic crude extracts and fractions of the species Senecio westermanii Dusén on Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce) and Allium cepa L. (onion) seeds. We assessed the germination, growth, root respiration and photosynthesis of the target species in Petri dishes (9.0 cm diameter) containing filter paper n°6. The study was conducted using 50 seeds per plate and held in 4 replicates per concentration of each sample. In the germination there was an inhibitory effect of fractions hexane (FH) and chloroform (FCl) at concentrations of 500 and 1000 µg/mL. There was a reduction in the radicle growth of lettuce by 14 to 24% and a reduction of hypocotilum by 14 to 28%. As for the radicle of the onion was up 74% reduction to the FCl and the coleoptile was 24 and 45% reduction for FH and FCl, respectively. Inhibitory effects in the root respiration of lettuce were detected in all the samples analyzed, with results ranging from 16 to 83%. For the seeds of A. cepa, there was an encouragement for the FCl and ethyl acetate fractions (FAE), with results ranging from 94 to 142% and 76 to 150%, respectively. With regard to the photosynthesis of L. sativa, there was no significant difference between the control, and as for the A. cepa, there was a strain in inhibition concentrations of 250 and 500 µg/mL, which ranged from 27 to 68%. The samples of S. westermanii caused changes in the target species and thus can be used as a natural herbicide.

Patentability potential of natural products for xerostomia treatment / Potencial de patenteabilidade dos produtos naturais para o tratamento de xerostomia

Xerostomia se caracteriza por ser um sintoma causado pela hipossalivação, que pode ocorrer por motivos como idade, polimedicação, radioterapia, entre outros. Atualmente existe uma escassez de produtos disponíveis no mercado para o tratamento de boca seca, tema ainda subestimado por muitos profissionais da área de saúde. Assim, realizou-se uma busca das patentes depositadas e publicadas no Brasil com o tema xerostomia, com o intuito de verificar a inovação existente envolvendo produtos naturais. A xerostomia constitui-se objeto de várias pesquisas e produtos patenteados, o que demonstra a relevância do tema, assim como a necessidade de mais estudos envolvendo o potencial de utilização de produtos naturais para o alívio do sintoma

Xerostomia is characterized as a symptom caused by hyposalivation, which can occur for reasons such as age, polypharmacy, radiation therapy, among others. Currently,few products are available for the treatment of xerostomia, which is a subject still underestimated by many health professionals. Thus, we searched patents applied and approved in Brazil on xerostomia, to verify the existing innovation involving natural products. We found 33 patents applied and approved in Brazil, many of them using acids derived from natural products such as sialologue agents. This significant number of patents demonstrates the relevance of the themeand the need for more studies involving the potential use of natural products to relieve symptoms

Potencial fitotóxico com enfoque alelopático de Bauhinia ungulata L. sobre sementes e plântulas de alface e cebola / Phytotoxic potential with allelopathic focus of Bauhinia ungulata L. on seeds and seedlings of lettuce and onion

O presente trabalho avaliou o efeito do extrato etanólico e diferentes frações das folhas de Bauhinia ungulata L. sobre a germinação, crescimento, respiração e conteúdo de clorofila de plântulas de Lactuca sativa (alface) e Allium cepa (cebola). Sementes de alface e cebola foram mantidas em contato com solução das amostras e colocadas em câmara de germinação. Realizaram-se contagens diárias para avaliar a interferência sobre a germinação e crescimento, e verificou-se possíveis interferências sobre a respiração radicular e o conteúdo de clorofila total das folhas das plântulas. Não foi observada nenhuma interferência das amostras sobre a porcentagem de germinação e massa seca das duas espécies. Com relação ao IVG, houve um atraso da germinação das sementes de alface quando em contato com o EB. O crescimento radicular das duas espécies foi inibido principalmente pelas frações EB e FR, sem nenhuma interferência sobre o crescimento do hipocótilo da alface e estímulo do crescimento do coleóptilo da cebola. Redução nos teores de clorofila total da alface e aumento na cebola, assim como estímulo da respiração das raízes. Conclui-se que o extrato e as frações de Bauhinia ungulata L. apresentam compostos químicos com atividade fitotóxica sobre o desenvolvimento de plântulas de alface interferindo principalmente no crescimento radicular, teor de clorofila e respiração radicular das espécies avaliadas.

This study evaluated the effect of ethanol extract and different fractions of leaves of Bauhinia ungulata L. on germination, growth, respiration and chlorophyll content of seedlings of Lactuca sativa (lettuce) and Allium cepa (onion). Seeds of lettuce and onions were put in contact with the sample solution and placed in a germination chamber. Daily counts were carried out to assess the interference on the germination and growth, and it was possible interference on the root respiration and the total chlorophyll content of the leaves of the seedlings. No interference of the samples on the percentage of germination and dry mass of the two species was not observed. With respect to GVI, there was a delay of germination of lettuce seeds when in contact with the CE. Root growth of the two species was inhibited mainly by fractions CE and RF, without any interference on the growth of hypocotyl of lettuce and stimulating onion coleoptile growth. Reduction in total chlorophyll content of lettuce and onion increased, as well as stimulating the respiration of roots. It is concluded that the extract and the Bauhinia ungulata L. fractions have chemical compounds with phytotoxic activity on the development of lettuce seedlings interfering mainly on root growth, chlorophyll content and root respiration of species assessed.

Residues of Citrus sinensis (L) Osbeck as agents that cause a change in antioxidant defense in plants / Resíduos de Citrus sinensis (L) Osbeck como agentes que causam uma alteração na defesa antioxidante em plantas

This work aimed to verify the allelopathic potential of the extract of Citrus seeds, for the purpose of adding a sustainable value to the fruit seeds toward their use as industrial residues. The extract was obtained with a Soxhlet apparatus by using hexane, chloroform, and methanol as solvents. The hexane extract of the Citrus seeds primarily consisted of linoleic acid (36.6%), followed by α-linoleic acid (25.3%), oleic acid (17.8%), palmitic acid (9.7%), and estearic acid (3.3%). The analysis results indicate that the oil is similar to those used in the cosmetics and food industries and has an economic value from its industrial application. In addition, the use of the oil causes changes in the oxidant balance, germination, and growth of plants...

Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar o potencial alelopático do extrato de sementes de Citrus, com o objetivo de agregar valor sustentável para a semente de frutas para a sua utilização como resíduo industrial. O extrato foi obtido com aparelho de Soxhlet, utilizando hexano, clorofórmio e metanol como solventes. O extrato hexânico das sementes de Citrus constituiu principalmente por ácido linoleico (36,6%), seguido por ácido α-linoleico (25,3%), ácido oleico (17,8%), ácido palmítico (9,7%) e ácido esteárico (3,3%). As análises indicam que o óleo é semelhante aos utilizados na indústria de cosméticos e de alimentos, tem valor econômico para a utilização na indústria e seu uso provoca alterações no equilíbrio oxidativo, germinação e crescimento...

Atividade fitotóxica de Croton doctoris S. Moore / Phytotoxic activity of Croton doctoris S. Moore

O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar o efeito fitotóxico do extrato etanólico bruto e frações semipurificadas do caule e folhas de C. doctoris na germinação, crescimento inicial e divisão celular das células radiculares de alface (Lactuca sativa) e cebola (Allium cepa), em laboratório. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, sendo utilizadas quatro concentrações dos tratamentos (0, 250, 500, 1.000mg L-1), com quatro repetições. O extrato bruto e as frações do caule e folhas inibiram a germinação e crescimento de alface e cebola, sendo o maior efeito fitotóxico promovido pela fração acetato de etila (FAE) do caule e folhas que afetou significativamente o crescimento e índice mitótico das células radiculares de alface e cebola. Com os resultados obtidos, verifica-se que a espécie C. doctoris apresenta substâncias capazes de influenciar no crescimento e divisão celular das espécies avaliadas.

The aim of this study was to verify the phytotoxic effect of the crude ethanol extract and semipurified fractions from the stem and leaves of Croton doctoris on the germination, growth and cell division of roots cells of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and onion (Allium cepa), in the laboratory. The bioassays was conducted in using completely randomized design, with four concentrations (0, 250, 500, 1.000mg L-1) and four replications. The crude extract and the fractions from the stem and leaves inhibited germination and seedling growth of lettuce and onion, with greater phytotoxic effect observed in the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) from the stems and leaves that significantly affected the growth and mitotic index of root cells of lettuce and onions. With these results it appears that C. doctoris contains substances capable of influencing the germination, growth and cell division of the species studied.

Levantamento etnobotânico e caracterização de plantas medicinais em fragmentos florestais de Dourados-MS / Etnobotanical survey and medicinal plants characterization in forest fragments in Dourados-MS

Objetivou-se, neste estudo, coletar e identificar espécies nativas consideradas medicinais em dois fragmentos florestais no município de Dourados-MS. Foram identificadas 37 espécies distribuídas em 28 famílias as quais foram indicadas pelos mateiros da região por serem utilizadas pela população como alternativa medicinal. Das famílias identificadas, as que apresentaram maior número de espécies foram Piperaceae (10,8 por cento), Moraceae (8,1 por cento), Smilaceae (8,1 por cento), Myrtaceae (5,4 por cento) e Rubiacee (5,4 por cento). O levantamento etnobotânico indicou 45 diferentes usos medicinais para as espécies e as partes mais utilizadas para o preparo de remédios são as folhas e cascas, sendo que as doenças para as quais houve maior número de indicações foram reumatismo, disenteria, diabetes, febres, tosses e cicatrizações.

The objective of this study was to collect and to identify native species considered medicinal in forest fragments in Dourados-Mato Grosso Sul. Had been identified 37 species distributed in 28 families which had been indicated by the woodsman of the region for being used by the population as medicinal alternative. Families that presented greater number of species were Piperaceae (10.8 percent), Moraceae (8.1 percent), Smilaceae (8.1 percent), Myrtaceae (5.4 percent) and Rubiacee (5.4 percent). The etnobotanical survey indicated 45 different medicinal uses for the species, the used parts more for the preparation of remedies is the leaves and bark, being that the illnesses for which bigger number of indications had been rheumatism, dysentery, diabetes, fevers, coughs and cicatrizations.