Chemical composition, antiproliferative and antioxidant attributes of ethanolic extract of resinous sediment from Etlingera elatior (Jack. ) inflorescence

The ethanolic extract of resinous sediment (EERS) of Etlingera elatior young inflorescence was examined for its anticancer effect and potential antioxidant activity. The anticancer effect of the EERS was evaluated on four human cancer cell lines, HCT 116, HT-29, Hela, and MCF-7, using the MTT assay. GC-MS analysis showed that the main components found in the EERS were nonyl cyclopropane (4.44%), 1-tetradecane (3.66%), cyclotetradecane (2.41%), cyclododecane (1.92%), and 1-decene (1.72%). The antioxidant activity was determined through different methods. High amounts of TPC and TFC in the EERS were found. Moderate antioxidant capacity of the EERS was detected by DPPH and ABTS assays, with EC50 values of 44.19 and 56.61 µg/mL and a high FRAP value of 281.79 nmol Fe+2 equivalent/mg extract. In the MTT assay, the EERS showed potent anticancer activity, with IC50 values of 19.82, 37.001, 50.49, and 53.29 µg/mL against HT-29, HCT 116, Hela, and MCF-7 tumour cell lines, respectively. Moreover, the results were comparable to or less potent than the standard reference drug, 5-fluorouracil. The results showed that the EERS of Etlingera elatior inflorescence contained a high amount of polyphenols and flavonoids, which may to the selective antiproliferative effects towards colon cancer in vitro

Antiplatelet and antibacterial activities of Essential Oils obtained from rhizomes and leaves of Hedychium coronarium J. Koening.

Hedychium coronarium J. Koening, belonging to Zingiberaceae family, is a perennial herb with fleshly aromatic rhizomes. There are no information about the antiplatelet properties of essential oils (EOs) from rhizomes (HCR) and leaves (HCL) of this herb, additionally, there are reports about the antibacterial activity of the Zingiberaceae species, however, no studies have been carried out in the Colombian Amazon Region. The EOs were characterized by GC-MS, the antiaggregant activity was assessed by ADP and Collagen as platelet agonist and the antibacterial activity against E. faecalis and S. aureus were evidenced by the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). A high content of oxygenated monoterpenes were found in HCL essential oil (EO) and 20 compounds were identified in HCR EO. The HCL EO showed antiaggregant activity when collagen was used and HCR EO showed a concentration-dependent activity against ADP and collagen, meanwhile only the HCR EO showed antibacterial activity against E. faecalis and S. aureus.

Morphological analysis of vessel elements for systematic study of three Zingiberaceae tribes.

Zingiberaceae containing over 1,000 species that are divided into four subfamilies and six tribes. In recent decades, there has been an increase in the number of studies about vessel elements in families of monocotyledon. However, there are still few studies of Zingiberaceae tribes. This study aims to establish systematic significance of studying vessel elements in two subfamilies and three tribes of Zingiberaceae. The vegetative organs of 33 species processed were analysed by light and scanning electron microscopy and Principal Component Analysis was used to elucidate genera boundaries. Characteristics of vessel elements, such as the type of perforation plate, the number of bars and type of parietal thickening, are proved to be important for establishing the relationship among taxa. Scalariform perforation plate and the scalariform parietal thickening are frequent in Zingiberaceae and may be a plesiomorphic condition for this taxon. In the Principal Component Analysis, the most significant characters of the vessel elements were: simple perforation plates and partially pitted parietal thickening, found only in Alpinieae tribe, and 40 or more bars composing the plate in Elettariopsis curtisii, Renealmia chrysotricha, Zingiber spectabile, Z. officinale, Curcuma and Globba species. Vessel elements characters of 18 species of Alpinieae, Zingibereae and Globbeae were first described in this work.

Hypotensive effect and endothelium-dependent vascular action of leaves of Alpinia purpurata (Vieill) K. Schum

The aims of this study were to evaluate the chemical profile, vascular reactivity, and acute hypotensive effect (AHE) of the ethanolic extract of leaves of Alpinia purpurata (Vieill) K. Schum (EEAP). Its chemical profile was evaluated using HPLC-UV, ICP-OES, and colorimetric quantification of total flavonoids and polyphenols. The vascular reactivity of the extract was determined using the mesenteric bed isolated from WKY. AHE dose-response curves were obtained for both EEAP and inorganic material isolated from AP (IAP) in WKY and SHR animals. Cytotoxic and mutagenic safety levels were determined by the micronucleus test. Rutin-like flavonoids were quantified in the EEAP (1.8 ± 0.03%), and the total flavonoid and polyphenol ratios were 4.1 ± 1.8% and 5.1 ± 0.3%, respectively. We observed that the vasodilation action of EEAP was partially mediated by nitric oxide (·NO). The IAP showed the presence of calcium (137.76 ± 4.08 μg mg-1). The EEAP and IAP showed an AHE in WKY and SHR animals. EEAP did not have cytotoxic effects or cause chromosomic alterations. The AHE shown by EEAP could result from its endothelium-dependent vascular action. Rutin-like flavonoids, among other polyphenols, could contribute to these biological activities, and the calcium present in EEAP could act in a synergistic way.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar o perfil químico de folhas de Alpinia purpurata K. Schum (AP), assim como a reatividade vascular e o efeito hipotensor agudo (EHA) do extrato etanólico de folhas de AP (EEAP). Avliou-se o perfil químico utilizando-se HPLC-UV, ICP-OES e quantificação colorimétrica de flavonoides e polifenóis totais. A reatividade vascular foi determinada utilizando leito mesentérico isolado de ratos WKY. Curvas dose-resposta do EEAP e do material inorgânico da AP (IAP) foram realizadas em animais SHR e WKY. Determinaram-se a segurança citotóxica e mutagênica pelo teste de micronúcleos. Flavonoides tipo rutina foram quantificados no EEAP (1,8±0,03%) e flavonoide total e polifenóis foram de 4,1±1,8% e 5,1±0,3%, respectivamente. Observou-se ação vasodilatadora do EEAP, mediada parcialmente pelo óxido nítrico (·NO). O IAP revelou a presença de cálcio (137,76±4.08 μg.mg-1 de Ca). O EEAP e IAP apresentaram EHA em animais WKY e SHR. Não se observaram efeitos citotóxicos e alterações cromossômicas provocadas pelo EEAP. O EEAP mostrou um EHA que poderia resultar de ação vascular dependente do endotélio. Rutina, entre outros polifenóis e flavonoides, poderia estar contribuindo para essas atividades biológicas e o cálcio presente no EEAP, poderia agir de maneira sinérgica.

Produção de mudas de Etlingera elatior (Jack) R. M. Sm. através da cultura de tecidos vegetais in vitro / Etlingera elatior seedling production through in vitro tissue culture

O uso de produtos naturais para o tratamento de doenças é algo que o ser humano já está habituado a realizar desde o início dos tempos. A utilização de Etlingera elatior (Bastão do Imperador), uma herbácea muito comum nos jardins e em áreas de banhado, para o tratamento de dores musculares e reumatismo é citada pela cultura popular, o que incentivou a indústria farmacêutica a começar a investir nos estudos sobre sua atividade. Porém, a produção de biomassa através de plantas sadias e de alta qualidade ainda é incipiente. O uso da biotecnologia vegetal, especialmente a propagação vegetativa in vitro, permite a produção em larga escala de mudas e/ou biomassa vegetal, de alta qualidade genética e fitossanitária, em curto espaço de tempo e pequena área física. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de agentes desinfestantes na obtenção de explantes assépticos, da composição do meio de cultura e do seccionamento do rizoma no desenvolvimento, multiplicação e enraizamento das plantas in vitro, visando estabelecer o processo de micropropagação. Gemas laterais foram submetidas à desinfestação com etanol e hipoclorito de cálcio e de sódio. Os rizomas assépticos foram seccionados longitudinalmente e multiplicados em meio de cultura MS adicionado de BAP (0,0; 1,0 e 2,0 mg L-1). O estabelecimento das culturas assépticas a partir do uso de etanol 70 por cento, NaClO 1 por cento e CaClO 2 e 5 por cento proporcionaram de 10 a 40 por cento de sobrevivência dos explantes. A taxa de multiplicação obtida nos rizomas, inteiros e seccionados longitudinalmente e cultivados em meio MS, não apresentou diferença significativa para o número de brotos. Já o cultivo do rizoma seccionado em meio MS adicionado de 1,0 mg L-1 de BAP resultou em aumento significativo no número de brotos em relação a rizoma inteiro na mesma concentração de BAP. As plantas cultivadas na presença de BAP apresentaram redução do número de raízes a partir de rizomas inteiros. Apesar do efeito do seccionamento do rizoma e da concentração de BAP, no número de brotos e raízes, as plantas não mostraram diferença no crescimento da planta e das raízes. A micropropagação da espécie Etlingera elatior é possível, possibilitando a produção de mudas em larga escala.

The use of natural products to treat diseases has been common for humans since the beginning of times. Etlingera elatior (torch ginger), an herbaceous species very common in gardens and muddy areas, has been cited by the popular culture as treatment for muscular pains and rheumatism, which has stimulated the pharmaceutical industry to start investing in studies on its activity. However, phytomass production by high-quality healthy plants is still incipient. The utilization of plant biotechnology, specially in vitro vegetative propagation, allows the large-scale production of seedlings and/or phytomass of high genetic and phytosanitary quality in a short time and small area. The aim of this work was to evaluate the action of disinfectant agents on the production of aseptic explants, as well as the effect of culture medium composition and rhizome splitting on the development, multiplication and rooting of plants in vitro in order to establish the micropropagation process. Lateral buds were disinfected with ethanol and calcium and sodium hypochlorite. Aseptic rhizomes were longitudinally sectioned and multiplied in MS culture medium containing BAP (0.0, 1.0 and 2.0 mg L-1). The establishment of aseptic cultures by using 70 percent ethanol, 1 percent NaClO and 1 percent and 5 percent CaClO resulted in 10 to 40 percent explant survival. The multiplication rate obtained for whole and longitudinally sectioned rhizomes cultivated in MS medium did not present significant difference for sprout number. However, sectioned rhizome cultivated in MS medium added of 1.0 mg L-1 BAP had a significant increase in sprout number, relative to whole rhizomes at the same BAP concentration. In the presence of BAP, there was a reduction in root number for whole rhizomes. Although rhizome splitting and BAP concentration affected sprout and root number, there was no difference in the growth of plants and roots. Thus, Etlingera elatior micropropagation is possible, allowing the large-scale production of seedlings.

Recent oceanic long-distance dispersal and divergence in the amphi-Atlantic rain forest genus Renealmia L.f. (Zingiberaceae).

Renealmia L.f. (Zingiberaceae) is one of the few tropical plant genera with numerous species in both Africa and South America but not in Asia. Based on phylogenetic analysis of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and chloroplast trnL-F DNA, Renealmia is shown to be monophyletic with high branch support. Low sequence divergence found in the two genome regions (ITS: 0-2.4%; trnL-F: 0-1.9%) suggests recent diversification within the genus. Molecular divergence age estimates give further support to the recent origin of the genus and show that Renealmia has attained its amphi-Atlantic distribution by an oceanic long-distance dispersal event from Africa to South America during the Miocene or Pliocene (15.8-2.7 My ago). Some support is found for the hypothesis that speciation in neotropical Renealmia was influenced by the Andean orogeny. Speciation has been approximately simultaneous on both sides of the Atlantic, but increased taxon sampling is required to compare the speciation rates between the New World and Old World tropics.