Aplicação exógena de artemisinina e indução floral em Artemisia annua L.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different artemisinin concentrations in the flowering induction of A. annua. Two genotypes of A. annua (CPQBA 239x1V and 3MxPOP) were atomized with four different artemisinin concentrations (0, 500, 5000, and 10000 mg L-1). The application of artemisinin didn't induce the flowering of both genotypes tested, in none of the used concentrations.

Desenvolvimento e produtividade da cúrcuma (Curcuma longa L.) em função de doses de nitrogênio e potássio

The objective of the experiment was evaluating the development and production of turmeric, it was carried out at FCAV-UNESP, in Jaboticabal-SP, during 11/18/ 1999 to 7/18/2000, in randomized blocks, with three replications, factorial scheme 5 × 5. The factors evaluated were doses of N (0, 68, 136, 170 and 204 kg.ha-1) and doses of K2O (0, 92, 184, 230 and 276 kg.ha-1). The potassium doses influenced plant-mother's height significantly, answering lineally to the increment in the potassium fertilization. There was significant interaction between nitrogen and potassium on the number of leaves of the sons and total-plant. In the doses of 0 and 92 kg of K2O.ha-1 a lineal increase was observed in the number of leaves with the increment of the applied nitrogen. The potassium doses also influenced the foliar area of the sons and total-plant, reaching values of 3260 and 4971 cm2 per plant, respectively, for the application of 276 kg K2O.ha1. The number of sons had a lineal increment with the growing fertilization of potassium, contemplating on the dry mass of the aerial part of the sons. The production of rhizomes per plant wasn't influenced for the factors evaluated.

Efeito alelopático de extratos de parte aérea de barbatimão [Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville] na germinação e desenvolvimento da plântula de pepino

Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville (barbatimão), belonging to Mimosaceae family; it is used as ornamental and the wood is used in civil buildings, edification in wet places, lathe and joinery jobs, being very used also in home-made medicine against hemorrhage, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, conjunctivitis, injury cleaning, uterus hemorrhage, ulcerous hurt and excessive oily skin. The objective of this research was to determine the allelopathic potential of an aqueous extract, boiled or not of S. adstringens (Mart.) Coville, in the Cucumis sativus germination and initial development. Thus, the aqueous vegetable extract was extracted from the shoot, which was triturated in 1L of distilled water to 100g of leaf, being the extract filtrated and separated in boiled and not boiled. The treatments used were distilled water (0%) and boiled and not boiled extracts, in the concentrations of 50 and 100%. The cucumber seeds were put to germinate in Gerbox, having filter paper as substrate, which was wet with 25mL from different treatments, in constant temperature of 25°C. The reading germination was accomplished in breaks of 24 hours, for a period of five consequently days after the beginning of the experiment, considering germinated the seeds that showed 2mm of root, approximately. To dry matter determination, the seedlings with five days after the germination were separated in shoot and root, dried during three days to a constant weight in a 60°C forced draft oven. Through results, it can be concluded that the extract of S. adstringens affected more the Cucumis sativus seedling development than the germination, and it didn't show difference if boiled or not.

Efeitos do extrato aquoso de cebola (Allium cepa L.) sobre a função renal e a pressão arterial em ratos Wistar

The vegetal species, Allium cepa, known as onion, is widely used in the folk medicine as diuretic, besides it has been used on the bronchitis, cough, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension treatment. In this study we evaluate the onion aqueous extract (AE) effect on water flow and electrolytes in anesthetized Wistar rats, besides we also evaluate arterial pressure alterations. Two groups were studied: Group 1 (control) - oral tratment with 1.0 mL of distilled water, and Group 2 (experimental) - oral treatment with 1.0 mL of AE 20%. The rats were anesthetized and we canulate the trachea, left carotide artery (for arterial pressure measurement and blood collecting), jugular vein (to execute inulin perfusion - to register glomerular filtration), and urinary bladder (to collect urine). The Group 1 results had shown that the animals had not presented significant alterations (p>0.05) in the analyzed parameters. The animals of Group 2 had a significant reduction (p<0.05) in the arterial pressure (22.0%). However, there were not significant alterations in renal parameters (p>0.05). These results show that the treatment with the AE lead a hypotensor effect in anesthetized Wistar rats, but not followed by renal parameters alterations.

Efeitos do tipo de rizoma de multiplicação e da cobertura morta no desenvolvimento e produtividade de cúrcuma (Curcuma longa L.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different types of rhizomes utilized as seed and the effects of mulch in the culture of Turmeric. This work was conducted in the experimental cultivation area of the Universidade de Ribeirão Preto - UNAERP, in Ribeirao Preto, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil from September/1997 to July/1998. The experiments were arranged in a randomized complete block with a factorial arrangement 2x3, design with 4 replications (32 plants each). The treatments consisted of the use of types of rhizomes utilized to proliferation (head and finger) and types of mulch (absent, grass and leaves/branches). This study investigated proliferation (61, 88 and 124 days after installation), length, shooting and number of leaves of the mother plant besides the number of leaves of the shoot (112, 146 and 233 days after installation), number of finger rhizomes and head rhizomes, fresh and dry biomass of rhizomes and the yield of essential oil (after harvest - July 1998). Obtained results showed a great influence of the type of rhizome used to proliferation. Head rhizomes produced, in weight, about 30% more, when compared to plants from finger rhizomes. Mulching almost duplicated rhizome productivity from 2338 kg.ha -1 of dry rhizomes to 4499 kg.ha -1, when rhizome used to proliferation was finger and from 3046 kg.ha -1 to 5943 kg.ha -1, when using head rhizomes. The yield of essential oil did not show any alteration, independently of the treatments realized.

Composição do óleo essencial de rubim (Leonurus sibiricus L. - Lamiaceae)

The essential oils are found in a great number of Lamiaceae family species, but few researches were carried out on this subject. This work had as a goal to identify the Leonurus sibiricus L. (rubim) essential oil composition. Rubim leaves and flowers in infusion are able to avoid vomit, diarrhea, and are also indicated in cold, cough, bronchitis and rheumatisms cases. In order to know what are the phytochemical compositions involved, it was used the gas chromatography techniques with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as methodology. The results showed 70% volatility compound by trans-cariophylene, alpha-humulene and germacrene-D. Other substances like gamacadinene, beta-bourborene and alpha-copaene were found like compounds of this essential oil species.

Fenologia e artrópodes de Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. no cerrado

There was evaluated the phenology and arthropods as well as the effect of weather on copaiba (Copaifera langsdorffii Desf.) (Leguminoseae). The emission of new leaves and inflorescences as well as the opening of them occurred in the rainy period. There were observed the higher diversity and abundance of insects, principally galling insects.

Micropropagação de Calendula officinalis L

Micropropagation of Calendula officinalis L. is usually propagated through seeds and therefore shows high diversity in flower size and colour, what causes quantitative and qualitative chemical variability. A micropropagation protocol was established for clonal propagation of this species to achieve homogeneous biomass, more appropriate for the production of phytotherapics. Explants harvested from capitula were the most appropriate for the micropropagation process. MS culture medium supplemented with 1.0 mgL-1 BAP and 6.0 gL-1 Phytagel™ enhanced shoot proliferation, while MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mgL-1 Kinetin and 6.0 gL-1 Phytagel™, increased shoot elongation. Plantlets (80%) cultured in MS/2 medium supplemented with 1.0 mgL-1 de IBA rooted.

Efeito do extrato aquoso de Allium sativum L. sobre parâmetros bioquímicos de ratas com diabete induzido por Streptozotocin

Many plants, even without scientific confirmation, are used in Brazil as hypoglycemic. The objective of the present work was to study the influence of the Allium sativum treatment, plant known popularly as garlic, on characteristic biochemical parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Female Wistar rats were injected with 40 mg kg-1 streptozotocin (STZ). Oral administration of an aqueous extract of A. sativum was given to the diabetic animals in 2 doses: 200 and 400 mg kg-1 (n=6 animals/group). Diabetic rats given distilled water constituted the control group. After 28 days of treatment, the female rats were anesthetized and died by decapitation for collection of the blood for biochemical determinations and retreat of liver samples for hepatic glycogen dosage. The treatment with Allium sativum in the doses of 200 and 400 mg kg-1 alter no concentrations of total proteins, hepatic glycogen, triglycerides and VLDL, but it promoted reduction in the total cholesterol rate (control=280.5 ± 30.9; 200 mg kg-1 A. sativum =169.9 ± 19.5 and 400 mg kg-1 A. sativum =148.4 ± 26.6 mg dL-1) and LDL (control=128.8± 25.3; 200 mg kg-1 A. sativum = 41.4 ± 16.2 and 400 mg kg-1 A. sativum=42.0 ± 26.0 mg dL-1). The extract presented beneficial effect because it decreased 13.0% of glycemia in the highest dose. Therefore, the of garlic extract reduced the HDL concentration in two tested doses (control= 81.4 ± 30.2; 200 mg kg-1 A. sativum=49.6 ± 14.3 and 400 mg kg-1 A. sativum=41.7 ± 16.1 mg dL -1), presenting impaired effect. Thus, the garlic extract showed efficiency in the analyzed experimental conditions, and it could be used as complementary therapy to diabetic patients.

Reguladores vegetais na produção de biomassa e teor de óleos essenciais em Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, em diferentes épocas do ano

The purpose of the present research was to evaluate the effect of plant growth regulators in biomass production and essential oil yield content in lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf), in different seasons. The experiment was conducted on São Manuel Experimental Farm, Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, UNESP - Botucatu. Which plants were randomly assigned into blocks to treatments with three repetitions. The treatments consisted of GA3 (50 and 100 mg L-1); Ethrel (100 and 200 mg L-1); CCC (500 and 1000 mg L-1); Alar 85 (1000 and 2000 mg L-1); Accel (20 and 40 mg 0L-1) and control. Four applications of plant growth regulators were realized every three months. After 40 days of each foliar spray, the plants were cut to determine the fresh weight and essential oil yield. The application of plant growth regulators did not increase the biomass production, showing difference among collect periods when the major production was detected at the fourth collect (summer). The greatest essential oil yield was found at the second collect (winter). In the present study, the used concentrations of plant growth regulators did not increase biomass neither essential oil yield.

Enraizamento in vitro e aclimatização de mudas micropropagadas de Aloe vera L.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Micropropagação de babosa (Aloe vera L.)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeito do extrato aquoso de folhas de Polymnia sonchifolia (yacon) em ratas diabéticas

Polymnia sonchifolia is a medicinal plant used as hypoglycemic agent and other ends. The aim was to evaluate the yacon effect on diabetes in Wistar female rats, which was divided in 4 groups: non-diabetic (n=24) given (gavage) 32.4 mg kg -1 of an aqueous extract of plant (treated group) or vehicle (non-treated group), and one diabetic group (n=24) with similar treatment compared to non-diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin (i.v. route, 40 mg kg -1). Glycemia was monitored after rodent adaptation period, 15 days after diabetes induction, and each 10 days after yacon/vehicle in early treatment. During experiment period, body weights, food and water intake were daily measured. The rats (non-diabetic or diabetic) given yacon extract treatment presented no significant difference related with glycemia, body weight gain, and food and water intake. Thus, further studies such increase of rat number in agreement with different glycemic levels and increase of the plant extract dose are necessary.

Morfo-anatomia do eixo vegetativo aéreo de Achyrocline alata (Kunth) DC. (Asteraceae)

Achyrocline alata occurs in a dense and low vegetation in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil and it has been studied under physical-chemical and yield aspects, being scarce anatomical data. The present work has as objective the study of the aerial vegetative axis. Stem is cylindrical and hairy, having five wings, which are arisen from their leaves. The blade shows the presence of uniseriate epidermis, which is covered by the cuticle of variable thickness; and non-glandular and glandular trichomes. The non-glandular trichomes are uniseriate and multicellular and have their apex cell in whip form, while the glandular trichomes are multicellular, uniseriate or biseriate. The mesophyll is dorsiventral with uni-stratified palisade parenchyma in most of the cases and lacunal parenchyma formed by three to four layers of irregular cells. Only one collateral vascular bundle occurs in the midvein. Stem in transversal section is covered by epidermis with trichomes similar to leaves; the cortex is constituted by a discontinuous area of angular collenchyma, which is followed by chlorophyll parenchyma. Vascular cylinder that is delimited by pericycle shows vascular bundles of collateral type. In the secondary structure, the periderm is originated from epidermal and subepidermal tissues. In vascular region, the fascicular cambium differs into secondary xylem and phloem, while interfascicular cambium produces sclerenchymatous tissue.

Efeito de poliaminas exógenas no crescimento inical in vitro e nos teores de fenóis, poliaminas e atividade da peroxidase em Aloe vera (L.) Burm.

Lateral shoots of the Aloe vera (L.) Burm. cultivated in vitro, without addition vegetal regulators, for 90 days, were inoculated in MS culture-medium, containing or not spermine and/or spermidine. After 30 days of cultivation, the plants were submitted to biochemical analysis together with micropropagated plants - that were under in vitro cultivation for 90 days - (denominated as characterization), and matrix plants (in vivo). The levels of free polyamines, total phenols, total flavonoids, and the activity of peroxidase were evaluated in the biochemical analyses. The exogenous application of spermidine have promoted large number of shoots. Spermidine and spermine have promoted, when associated, an increase in the number of shoots as well as an increase of the contents of putrescine and and flavonoids. The putrescine has presented the most significant alterations, enabling to be utilized as marker of morphogenesis in the micropropagated Aloe vera. Tissues under active growth have presented high activity of peroxidase as well as those with greater rate of oxidation. In these tissues, there were noticed also higher contents of total flavonoids, indicating the need of antioxidative compounds. The action of polyamines jointly tseemed to be benefic for the shooting of micropropagated Aloe vera.