Hematological and biochemical profile of captive brown-throated sloths Bradypus variegatus, Schinz 1825, feeding on ambay pumpwood Cecropia pachystachya Trécul 1847 / [Perfil hematológico e bioquímico da preguiça-de-garganta-marrom Bradypus variegatus, Schinz 1825, em cativeiro alimentando-se de embaúba Cecropia pachystachya Trécul 1847]

The aim of this study was to establish reference parameters for the hematological and biochemical levels of five healthy captive sloths of the speciesBradypus variegatus(brown-throated sloth) feeding onCecropia pachystachya(Ambay pumpwood), alternating with a period of free diet in the Dois Irmãos State Park (DISP) Recife, Pernambuco - Brazil.(AU)

O objetivo da presente pesquisa foi estabelecer parâmetros de referência para níveis hematológicos e bioquímicos, de cinco preguiças sadias, da espécie Bradypus variegatus (preguiça-de-garganta-marrom), em cativeiro, alimentando-se de Cecropia pachystachya (embaúba) em períodos alternados com dieta livre, no Parque Estadual de Dois Irmãos (PEDI) Recife, Pernambuco-Brasil.(AU)

Ethnopharmacological investigations of the leaves of Cecropia pachystachya Trécul (Urticaceae): A native Brazilian tree species.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cecropia pachystachya Trécul (Urticaceae) is a medicinal plant popularly known as 'embaúba'. In Brazil, the leaves of this species are used for the treatment of various kidney and cardiovascular diseases. However, there are no detailed studies on the renal and cardiovascular activities of this species. No studies on the anatomy or the quality control of this herbal drug is available thus far. AIM: This study was aimed to investigate the ethnopharmacological properties of the leaves of C. pachystachya. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The leaves of C. pachystachya were analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy for pharmacobotanical and anatomical characterization. The ethanol-soluble fraction of C. pachystachya leaf extract (ESCP) was characterized by high-performance liquid chromatograph equipped with diode array detector and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS). The acute oral toxicity of ESCP on female Wistar rats was assessed. The acute and prolonged diuresis and antioxidant effects of ESCP (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg) were evaluated in male Wistar rats. In addition, the hypotensive effects of the ESCP as well as the vasodilatory activity in isolated and perfused mesenteric vascular beds were investigated. RESULTS: The anatomical markers obtained in this study can help in the identification of C. pachystachya, as well as to distinguish it from the other 'embaúbas'. The metabolites found in the ESCP were phenolic compounds, mainly C- and O-glycosylated flavonoids. The ESCP did not exhibit any toxic effects at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. Significant diuretic activities were observed at the doses of 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg. In addition, a significant modulating activity of the tissue redox state was observed after prolonged treatment. On the other hand, no hypotensive or vasodilator activity was observed. CONCLUSION: The key findings of the present study can contribute to the taxonomy, species identification and quality control of C. pachystachya. Chemical studies have shown the presence of glycosylated flavonoids, phenylpropanoid derivative and proanthocyanidins. The pharmacological studies showed significant diuretic and antioxidant effects of C. pachystachya leaf extract, indicating a possible validation of its popular medicinal use.

Some triterpenic compounds in extracts of Cecropia and Bauhinia species for different sampling years

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to provide an overview on the chemical composition of triterpenes in widespread used folk medicine species, through the development and validation of eleven compounds using HPLC-UV detection. The compounds were separated using isocratic elution, on a reverse phase column (Kinetex C18, 250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile:tetrahydrofuran (90:10, v/v), flow-rate of 0.5 ml/min and detection in 210 nm. Diverse validation parameters were successfully evaluated. The samples of Bauhinia variegata L., B. variegata var. candida Voigt, Fabaceae, Cecropia palmata Willd. and C. obtusa Trécul, Urticaceae, collected in 2012, 2013 and 2014 from Amazon were treated with two different solvents (ethyl acetate and chloroform) and analyzed by the proposed method. Stigmasterol, lupeol, β-sitosterol, β-amirin and α-amirin were found in all the studied plants. Highlighting the presence of oleanolic acid, maslinic acid in C. obtusa and C. palmata extracts, erythrodiol only in C. palmata, stigmasteol in B. variegata and α-amirin in B. variegata var. candida. Overall, ethyl acetate showed better performance as the extractor solvent than chloroform. Moreover, it could be used for the quality control of medicinal plants and to assess potential marker compounds.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the phenolic content of Connarus var. angustifolius, Cecropia obtusa, Cecropia palmata and Mansoa alliacea based on HPLC-DAD and UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS

ABSTRACT The phenolic content of the medicinal species Connarus perrottetti var. angustifolius Radlk., Connaraceae, Cecropia obtuse Trécul, Cecropia palmata Willd., Urticaceae; and Mansoa alliacea (Lam.) A.H.Gentry, Bignoniaceae, collected in three different years was evaluated. Plant infusions and hydroalcoholic, butanol and ethyl acetate extracts were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. In order to endorse these results, analysis by electrospray mass spectrometry was also performed. Were identified: gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, rutin, quercitrin and resveratrol. C. perrottetti showed greater diversity of polyphenols. M. alliacea had the higher concentration of caffeic acid even though it was found in all species. Catechin was the major antioxidant, but was not detected in M. alliacea. However, we discuss the popular use of these species, as well as their phenolic constitution and the interannual distribution of phenolic compounds.

Sweet trap: Boa constrictor (Serpentes: Boidae) preying on passerines on Cecropia pachystachya (Urticales: Cecropiaceae) in fruiting period / Doce armadilha: Boa constrictor (Serpentes: Boidae) predando passeriformes sobre Cecropia pachystachya (Urticales: Cecropiaceae) em período de frutificação

Fruits of trumpet tree (Cecropia spp.) attract different species of birds and mammals. Boas (Boa constrictor) are sit-and-wait strategists, able to choose to ambush in microhabitats that are frequently visited by prey. We have seen two events of predation of passerines (Pitangus sulphuratus, Turdus rufiventris) by boas on the same trumpet tree (Cecropia pachystachya) in a remnant of Cerrado, in the city of Campo Grande/MS. These reports may be evidence of strategic association of boas to trumpet trees, considering the density of snakes recorded on the tree and the constant visits by potential prey during fruiting periods. Besides encouraging a more detailed investigation on the strategies of predation by boas, our records constitute relevant information about the snake natural history.

Frutos de embaúba (Cecropia spp.) atraem diversas espécies de aves e mamíferos. Jiboias (Boa constrictor) são estrategistas senta-espera, capazes de selecionar micro-habitats que são frequentemente visitados por presas. Nós presenciamos dois eventos de predação de passeriformes (Pitangus sulphuratus, Turdus rufiventris) por jiboias sobre uma mesma embaúba (Cecropia pachystachya) em um remanescente de Cerrado, localizado na cidade de Campo Grande/MS. Esses relatos podem ser indícios de associações estratégicas das jiboias ès embaúbas, considerando a densidade de serpentes na árvore e a constante visitação de presas potenciais durante os períodos de frutificação. Além de estimular uma investigação mais detalhada sobre as estratégias de predação das jiboias, esses registros constituem informações relevantes sobre sua história natural.

Avaliação do potencial de utilização da madeira de Schizolobium amazonicum "Paricá" e Cecropia hololeuca "Embaúba" para produção de painéis aglomerados / Evaluation of potential use of the wood of Schizolobium amazonicum "Paricá" and Cecropia hololeuca "Embaúba" to particleboard manufacture

Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo avaliar o potencial de utilização de madeira de Schizolobium amazonicum (Paricá) e Cecropia hololeuca (Embaúba) para produção de painéis aglomerados. Foram produzidos painéis experimentais com densidade nominal de 0,70 g/cm³, utilizando a resina uréia-formaldeído e partículas de madeira de Paricá e Embaúba, e mistura destas, em proporções de 75, 50 e 25%. A madeira de Pinus taeda foi utilizada como testemunha. Os painéis foram prensados com pressão específica de 40 kgf/cm², temperatura de 160ºC e tempo de prensagem de 8 minutos. Os resultados das avaliações de propriedades de absorção de água, inchamento em espessura, ligação interna, módulo de elasticidade e módulo de ruptura, indicaram que as madeiras de Schizolobium amazonicum (Paricá) e Cecropia hololeuca (Embaúba) são tecnicamente viáveis para produção de painéis aglomerados.

This research was developed to evaluate the potential use of the woods Schizolobium amazonicum (Paricá) and Cecropia hololeuca (Embaúba) for manufacturing particleboard. Were made panels with the densities of 0.70 g/cm³, using mixtures of urea-formaldehyde resin and wood particles of Paricá and Embaúba, in proportions of 75, 50 and 25%. The Pinus taeda wood was used as the reference. The panels were pressed at the temperature of 160ºC, pressure of 40 kgf/cm², for 8 minutes. The evaluations of the properties of water absorption, thickness swelling, internal bond, modulus of elasticity and modulus of ruptures, showed that the woods of Schizolobium amazonicum (Paricá) e Cecropia hololeuca (Embaúba) are technically feasible for particleboard manufacture.

Revision of the Neotropical spider genus Gephyroctenus (Araneae Ctenidae Calocteninae)

Gephyroctenus Mello-Leitão, 1936 (type species G. philodromoides Mello-Leitão, 1936) is revised. Three species formerly described in this genus are synonymized with species from other genera: G. kolosvaryi Caporiacco, 1947, with Acanthoctenus spinipes Keyserling, 1877, G. parvus Caporiacco, 1947, with Phymatoctenus comosus Simon, 1897, and G. vachoni Caporiacco, 1955, with Caloctenus gracilitarsis Simon, 1897. Eight new species are described: G. portovelho sp. nov., from the States of Rondônia and Amazonas, Brazil; G. divisor sp. nov. and G. acre sp. nov., from the State of Acre, Brazil; G. atininga sp. nov., G. esteio sp. nov. and G. mapia sp. nov., from the State of Amazonas, Brazil; G. juruti sp. nov., from the Department of Loreto, Peru and the State of Pará, Brazil; G. panguana sp. nov., from the Department of Huanuco, Peru.The genus can be distinguished by the presence of a cymbial retrolateral groove, retrolateral origin of embolus, embolus long and thin, median apophysis with a subdistal hook, and hyaline projection close to the embolus base in the male palp and by the fused median and lateral fields in a single epigynal plate, copulatory opening located dorsally in an atrium, and elongated copulatory ducts surrounding the spermathecae in the female epigynum. Field observations on the hunting behavior on ants in trumpet trees (Cecropia) are provided for two species, G. philodromoides and G. mapia sp. nov.

Gephyroctenus Mello-Leitão, 1936 (espécie-tipo G. philodromoides Mello-Leitão, 1936), é revisado. Três espécies descritas neste gênero são sinonimizadas com espécies de outros gêneros: G. kolosvaryi Caporiacco, 1947, com Acanthoctenus spinipes Keyserling, 1877, G. parvus Caporiacco, 1947, com Phymatoctenus comosus Simon, 1897, e G. vachoni Caporiacco, 1955, com Caloctenus gracilitarsis Simon, 1897. Oito novas espécies são descritas: G. portovelho sp. nov., dos Estados de Rondônia e Amazonas, Brasil; G. divisor sp. nov. e G. acre sp. nov., do Estado do Acre, Brasil; G. atininga sp. nov., G. esteio sp. nov. e G. mapia sp. nov., do Estado do Amazonas, Brasil; G. juruti sp. nov., do Department de Loreto, Peru e Estado do Pará, Brazil; e G. panguana sp. nov., do Department de Huanuco, Peru. Os machos do gênero podem ser distinguidos pela presença de uma fenda retrolateral no címbio, origem retrolateral do êmbolo, êmbolo longo e fino, apófise média com um gancho subdistal e projeção hialina na base do êmbolo no palpo, e as fêmeas podem ser distinguidas pelos campo mediano e campos laterais fundidos em uma única placa, aberturas copulatórias localizadas em um átrio e dutos copulatórios alongados no epígino. Observações de campo sobre o comportamento de caça de formigas em embaúbas (Cecropia) são fornecidas para duas espécies deste gênero, G. philodromoides e G. mapia sp. nov.

Elementos histológicos característicos de Cecropia pachystachya Trécul (embaúba) / Histological elements characteristic of pachystachya Trécul Cecropia (Cecropia)

São descritas as características anatômicas da folha, do pecíolo e das cascas caulinares da espécie Cecropia pachystachya Trécul com o objetivo de identificar o vegetal fragmentado, empregado medicinalmente. Anexos epidérmicos e inclusões celulares permitem a diagnose a partir das folhas. Peculiaridades das fibras, dos esclereídeos e dos vasos permitem o reconhecimento através das cascas.

Anatomical characteristics of the leaf and the barks of the stem of the species Cecropia pachystachya Trécul are described aiming to identify this species when it is employed for therapeutic purposes. Epidermal annexs and cellular inclusions allow the diagnosis of the species from its leaves. Peculiarities of the fibers, petrea cells and vases allow the recognizing of the barks of the stem of Cecropia pachystachya Trécul.