The Effects Of Cyclosporin A And Heteropterys Tomentosa On The Rat Liver.

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is a widely employed immunosuppressive drug that is associated with several side effects, among then hepatotoxicity. Heteropterys tomentosa is a Brazilian plant efficient in reducing damage caused by CsA on the rat testis and prostate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CsA and H. tomentosa (administered isolated or simultaneously) on the liver of Wistar rats. The animals were treated daily with water (control), CsA (15mg/kg/day), H. tomentosa infusion or CsA+H. tomentosa, for 21 or 56 days. The treatments did not alter liver morphology or cause fibrosis. H. tomentosa administered for 21 days increased the number of hepatocyte nuclei and Kupffer cell volumetric proportion. After 56 days of treatment, H. tomentosa administration did not alter the parameters analyzed. Biochemical plasma dosages and liver stereology showed impairment caused by CsA-treatment after 21 days; these results were not observed after 56 days of treatment. The simultaneous treatment with CsA and H. tomentosa for 21 or 56 days did not alleviate nor accentuate CsA hepatic effects. The present study showed that the 21 days treatment with CsA caused more alteration to the liver than the 56 days treatment; this could be related to hepatic recovery after the long term treatment.

Parâmetros bioquímicos foliares das espécies Licania tomentosa (Benth.) e Bauhinia forficata (Link.) para avaliação da qualidade do ar

Foliar analysis of biochemical parameters were carried out in order to investigate the influence of air pollutants on two tropical tree species (Licania tomentosa (Benth.) and Bauhinia forfícata (Link.)). Special attention was given to tropospheric ozone due to the fact that concentration levels in the region were found to be up to 140 µg m-3 for a 4 h average time, which is well above the value that can cause injuries to orchides and tobacco (59 µg m-3). Other pollutants such as nitrogen and sulphur oxides were measured and their ambient concentrations were also associated to biochemical alterations in the investigated species.

Constituintes voláteis dos frutos de Licania tomentosa Benth

O aroma dos frutos de Licania tomentosa foi obtido por hidrodestilação e extração com pentano, e seus constituintes voláteis identificados através de cromatografia de gás acoplada à espectrometria de massas (CG/EM). Os principais componentes identificados foram l-hexanol (11,1%), 4-heptanol (10,5%), butanoato de 3-metilbutila (7,4%), hexanal (7,1%) e mirceno (6,4%).

Anatomia do lenho de Uncaria guianensis e U. tomentosa (Rubiaceae) do estado do Acre, Brasil

As plantas de Uncaria guianensis e U. tomentosa são lianas trepadeiras, arbustos trepadores ou rasteiros ascendentes que ocorrem em amplas áreas da Amazônia brasileira e países da América Central e do Sul. Possuem excepcional importância medicinal, com sua casca, lenho e folhas utilizadas pelos povos amazônicos e pela indústria farmacêutica. Face a necessidade da identificação das plantas em condições de campo e de laboratório, o presente trabalho descreveu a estrutura anatômica do lenho de Uncaria guianensis e U. tomentosa, ocorrentes no Estado do Acre, Brasil. Os resultados mostraram que o lenho das espécies é característico da família Rubiaceae, a exceção dos vasos arredondados, grandes e solitários, parenquima axial difuso e largura dos raios que são próprios das lianas.

Uncária tomentosa e a lesão renal aguda isquêmica em ratos

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito renoprotetor do fitoterápico Uncaria tomentosa sobre a lesão renal aguda isquêmica induzida pelo clampeamento dos pedículos renais de ratos. A hipóxia e a hipoperfusão geradas com a isquemia intensificam a produção de espécies reativas já presentes no processo inflamatório. Os resultados mostraram que a função renal avaliada pelo clearance de creatinina, a excreção de peróxidos urinários (FOX) e a excreção urinária de malondealdeído (TBARS) desses animais apresentou renoproteção induzida pela UT, provavelmente relacionada às suas atividades antioxidantes.

Constituintes químicos de licania tomentosa Benth. (Chrysobalanaceae)

This paper describes the chemical constituents isolated from leaves and fruits of Licania tomentosa Benth. The plant materials were successively extracted with hexane and methanol. From the extracts the following compounds were obtained: betulinic acid; licanolide, a new triterpene lactone; oleanolic acid, lupeol; palmitoleic and hexadecanoic acid; a mixture of stigmasterol and sitosterol; and a mixture of tormentic, ursolic and betulinic acid. The structures of the natural products were identified on the basis of spectral data.

Chemical composition and analgesic activity of the leaves and branches of Marlierea tomentosa Camb.

This paper describes the isolation of five phytoconstituents from Marlierea tomentosa. The triterpenes α-amyrin (1) and β-amyrin (2), and the flavonoids quercitrin (3) and isoquercetin (4), were isolated from the leaves. The branches afforded the triterpene arjunolic acid (5). The antinociceptive activity of crude extract, fractions and compound 5 were tested using the writhing and formalin tests in mice. The crude extract, some fractions, particularly dichloromethane and butanol (leaves), ethyl acetate (branches) and arjunolic acid (5) (81.2% inhibition) were more active against the writhing test than the two reference drugs, acetylsalicylic acid and indomethacin.

Parâmetros bioquímicos foliares das espécies Licania tomentosa (Benth.) e Bauhinia forficata (Link.) para avaliação da qualidade do ar

Foliar analysis of biochemical parameters were carried out in order to investigate the influence of air pollutants on two tropical tree species (Licania tomentosa (Benth.) and Bauhinia forfícata (Link.)). Special attention was given to tropospheric ozone due to the fact that concentration levels in the region were found to be up to 140 µg m-3 for a 4 h average time, which is well above the value that can cause injuries to orchides and tobacco (59 µg m-3). Other pollutants such as nitrogen and sulphur oxides were measured and their ambient concentrations were also associated to biochemical alterations in the investigated species.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION VARIABILITY IN THE Uncaria tomentosa (cat’s claw) WILD POPULATION

Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw) is a vine widely distributed throughout the South-American rainforest. Many studies investigating the chemical composition of cat's claw have focused on the pentacyclic (POA) and tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids (TOA), quinovic acid glycosides (QAG), and polyphenols (PPH). Nevertheless, it is still uncertain how environmental factors affect chemical groups. The aim of this work was to better understand the influence of environmental factors (geographic origin, altitude, and season) on cat's claw chemical composition. Stem bark, branches and leaf samples were extracted and analyzed by HPLC-PDA. The data obtained were explored by multivariate analysis (HCA and PCA). Higher amounts of oxindole alkaloids and PPH were found in leaves, followed by stem bark and branches. No clear relationship was verified among geographic origin or altitude and chemical composition, which remained unchanged regardless of season (dry or rainy). However, three oxindole alkaloid chemotypes were clearly recognized: chemotype I (POA with cis D/E ring junction); chemotype II (POA with trans D/E ring junction); and chemotype III (TOA). Thus, environmental factors appear to have only a minor influence on the chemical heterogeneity of the cat's claw wild population. Nevertheless, the occurrence of different chemotypes based on alkaloid profiles seems to be clear.

Obtenção de oligossacarídeos N-ligados às glicoproteínas dos líquens Sticta tomentosa e Sticta damaecornis

As glicoproteínas dos líquens Sticta tomentosa e Sticta damaecornis foram extraídas utilizando-se tampão específico e fracionadas pela adição crescente de sulfato de amônio. Dentre os diferentes cortes de saturação obtidos, as frações 30-80% de ambos os líquens foram eleitas objeto de estudo desta pesquisa. Métodos químicos e enzimáticos foram aplicados para a obtenção de oligossacarídeos N-ligados, que em seguida, foram derivatizados resultando em tirosinamida-oligossacarídeos. Após inserção do grupo cromóforo nas estruturas oligossacarídicas, os mesmos foram purificados por HPLC com detecção em 280 nm. Em relação ao líquen Sticta tomentosa, os cromatogramas revelaram a presença de dois picos com tempos de retenção de aproximadamente 11 e 18 minutos sugerindo a presença de dois diferentes oligossacarídeos N-ligados. O líquen Sticta damaecornis, seguindo as mesmas condições de purificação, apresentou em cromatografia quatro picos distintos com tempos de 11, 13, 18,2 e 18,4 minutos, respectivamente, sugerindo por sua vez a presença de quatro oligossacarídeos N-ligados diferentes.

ROOTING MINI-CUTTINGS OF Paulownia fortunei var. mikado DERIVED FROM CLONAL MINI-GARDEN1

ABSTRACTWe aimed to evaluate the technical efficiency of mini-cuttings technique on vegetative propagation of Paulownia fortunei (Seem.) Hemsl. var. Mikado, as well as the possible existence of anatomical barriers to its rooting. Therefore, plants originated from cuttings formed the mini-stumps and, consequently the clonal mini-garden, which was conducted in semi-hydroponic system. We evaluated the survival of mini-stumps and sprouts production for five successive collects, the percentage of mini-cuttings rooting and their anatomical description. The mini-cuttings were prepared with about 6 to 8 cm in length and two leaves reduced by about 50% in the upper third, being remained an area of, approximately 78 cm2 (10 cm diameter). The mini-cuttings were placed in tubes of 53 cm3, with substrate formed with fine vermiculite and carbonized rice hulls (1:1 v/v) and rooted in acclimatized greenhouse. After 30 days we evaluated the percentage of rooted mini-cuttings, radicial vigor (number and length of roots / mini-cutting), callus formation, emission of new shoots and maintenance of the original leaves. The mini-stumps showed 100% survival after five collects and an average production of 76-114 mini-cuttings/m2/month and rooting ranged from 70 to 90%. Mini-cuttings technique is efficient in to propagate adult propagules of the species and there are not anatomical barriers preventing roots emission.

Estudos anatômicos de folhas de espécies de plantas daninhas de grande ocorrência no Brasil. V - Leonurus sibiricus, Leonotis nepetaefolia, Plantago tomentosa e Sida glaziovii

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estudar a anatomia foliar das espécies de plantas daninhas Leonurus sibiricus (rubim), Leonotis nepetaefolia (cordão-de-frade), Plantago tomentosa (tanchagem) e Sida glaziovii (guanxuma-branca) e, assim, obter melhor entendimento das barreiras à penetração dos herbicidas e, conseqüentemente, fornecer subsídios à busca de estratégias de manejo para superar esses obstáculos. As folhas expandidas do terceiro ao quinto nó foram coletadas de plantas no campo; destas folhas foram obtidas três amostras da região central, com aproximadamente 1 cm², as quais foram utilizadas em estudos da estrutura e clarificação e em observações em microscópio eletrônico de varredura (MEV). L. sibiricus é uma espécie hipoestomática, e as demais espécies avaliadas são anfiestomáticas. As principais barreiras foliares potenciais à penetração de herbicidas constatadas em L. sibiricus foram a alta densidade tricomática e a ausência de estômatos na face adaxial. Já em relação a L. nepetaefolia, alta densidade tricomática, grande espessura da cutícula da face adaxial e baixa densidade estomática na face adaxial foram os principais obstáculos potenciais detectados. P. tomentosa apresentou como possíveis barreiras foliares à penetração de herbicidas o alto teor de cera epicuticular, a alta densidade tricomática e a grande espessura da cutícula de ambas as faces. Alta densidade tricomática e baixa densidade estomática na face adaxial foram os possíveis obstáculos constatados nas folhas de S. glaziovii.

Effect of oral ingestion of an extract of the herb Uncaria tomentosa on the biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate in rats

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of the oral ingestion of an extract of the herb Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw) on the biodistribution of the radiobiocomplex sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) in rats. The animals (male Wistar rats, 2 months old, 180-220 g), were treated (1 mL) with an U. tomentosa extract (32 mg/mL, N = 5) or 0.9% NaCl solution (control, N = 5) for 7 days. After this period, Na99mTcO4 (3.7 MBq, 0.3 mL) was injected through the ocular plexus and after 10 min the rats were killed, the organs isolated and counted in a well-gamma counter. A significant (P < 0.05) alteration in Na99mTcO4 uptake i) from 0.57 ± 0.008 to 0.39 ± 0.06 %ATI/organ (P < 0.05) and from 0.57 ± 0.17 to 0.39 ± 0.14 %ATI/g (P < 0.05) was observed in the heart, ii) from 0.07 ± 0.02 to 0.19 ± 0.07 %ATI/g in the pancreas, and iii) from 0.07 ± 0.01 to 0.18 ± 0.07 %ATI/g (P < 0.05) in muscle after treatment with this extract. Although these results were obtained with animals, caution is advisable in the interpretation of the nuclear medicine examination when the patient is using this herb. This finding is probably an example of drug interaction with a radiopharmaceutical, a fact that could lead to misdiagnosis of the examination in clinical practice with unexpected consequences for the patient.

Capacidade antioxidante in vitro e avaliação da toxicidade aguda in vivo de extratos de folhas de Licania rígida Benth., Licania tomentosa (Benth.) Fritsch e Couepia impressa Prance (Chrysobalanaceae)

Licania rigida Benth., Licania tomentosa (Benth.) Fritsch, and Couepia impressa Prance (Chrysobalanaceae family) plants have long been used medicinally by the people from Northeastern Brazil. Crude extracts and infusions of these plants have been applied in the treatment of several conditions such as diabetes and rheumatism, degenerative diseases with involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the aqueous, ethanolic, and hydroethanolic leaves extracts antioxidant capacity of these species, using several in vitro assay systems (reducing power, DPPH● scavenging, the β-carotene linoleate model system and lipid peroxidation inhibition in rat brain homogenate, using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances - TBARS). The oral acute toxicity of aqueous extracts was also evaluated in vivo. Results revealed that these extracts possess a potent reducing power and DPPH scavenging ability, as well as the ability to prevent TBARS formation in rat brain homogenate in a concentration-dependent manner. Regarding in vivo oral acute toxicity of the aqueous species extracts, no toxic effects were observed upon evaluating physiological, hematological and biochemical parameters. The presence of high levels of phenolics and flavonoids was determined mainly in the ethanol extract. However, the C. impressa hydroethanolic extract, fractionated with hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate for analysis by NMR 1H, showed more efficient results than the reference antioxidant Carduus marianus. The classes of organics compounds were determined were phenolics in the fraction of ethyl acetate and terpenes in chloroform and hexane fractions. The ethil acetate fraction had the highest content of flavonoids and increased scavenging capacity of DPPH●, possibly by the presence of phenolic compounds. Therefore, a detailed investigation of the phytochemical composition and in vivo study of the C. impressa hydroethanolic extract is suggested to characterize the active compounds of the species

Obtenção de oligossacarídeos N-ligados às glicoproteínas dos líquens Sticta tomentosa e Sticta damaecornis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)