Heritability of Growth traits in fragmented popularions of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. (Fabaceae)

The aim of this study is to investigate the genetic control of growth traits in the initial phases of development in fragmented populations of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf., using microsatellite markers. For the effect two populations of C. langsdorffii were used: a municipal park located in Sao Jose do Rio Preto (SJRP) and at Assis Ecological Station (AES), both in the state of sao Paulo, Brazil. The model to estimate the heritability coefficient is the method of regression of a measure of phenotypic similarity and an estimate of kinship between paired individuals. The coefficients of relatedness and heritability were estimated for three classes of distance (10, 20 and 30 m) within populations. Estimates of heritability were low (maximum 0.15) for all traits, ranging from positive values for regenerating individuals of the population SJRP and from negative to positive for the juvenile population AES. In evolutionary terms, these results indicate little chance of changing the population mean of the characters studied by natural selection; with strong random environmental effects changing this average. The results also suggest that the heritability for height to decrease between regenerating to juvenile stage and the natural selection in natural populations is stronger in the early stages of plant development.

Chemical composition of essential oils from the vegetative and reproductive structures of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf

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

Wood and leaf anatomy of Copaifera langsdorffii dwarf trees

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Loss of desiccation tolerance in Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. seeds during germination

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Alocação diferencial do 13C em Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. (Fabaceae - Caesalpinoideae) sob deficiência hídrica

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A Validated Chromatographic Method for the Determination of Flavonoids in Copaifera langsdorffii by HPLC

Hydroethanolic extracts of C. langsdorffii leaves have therapeutic potential. This work reports a validated chromatographic method for the quantification of polar compounds in the hydroethanolic extract of C. langsdorffii leaves. A reliable HPLC method was developed using two monolithic columns linked in series (100 x 4.6 mm - C-18), with nonlinear gradient elution, and UV detection set at 257 nm. A procedure for the extraction of flavonols was also developed, which involved the use of 70% aqueous ethanol and the addition of benzophenone as the internal standard. The developed method led to a good detection response as the values for linearity were between 10.3 and 1000 mu g/mL, and those for recovery between 84.2 and 111.1%. The detection limit ranged from 0.02 to 1.70 mu g/mL and the quantitation limit from 0.07 to 5.1 mu g/mL, with a maximum RSD of 5.24%. Five compounds, rutin, quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, quercetin and kaempferol, were quantified. This method could, therefore, be used for the quality control of hydroethanolic extracts of Copaifera leaves and their cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.

Effect of hydroalcoholic extract from Copaifera langsdorffii leaves on urolithiasis induced in rats

Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. commonly known as "copaiba", produce a commercially valuable oil-resin that is extensively used in folk medicine for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiseptic purposes. We have found the hydroalcoholic extract of this plant leaf has the potential to treat urolithiasis, a problem affecting similar to 7% of the population. To isolate the functional compounds C. langsdorffii leaves were dried, ground, and macerated in a hydroalcoholic solution 7:3 to produce a 16.8% crude extract after solvent elimination. Urolithiasis was induced by introduction of a calcium oxalate pellet (CaOx) into the bladders of adult male Wistar rats. The treated groups received the crude extract by oral gavage at 20 mg/kg body weight daily for 18 days. Extract treatment started 30 days after CaOx seed implantation. To monitor renal function sodium, potassium and creatinine concentrations were analyzed in urine and plasma, and were found to be in the normal range. Analyses of pH, magnesium, phosphate, calcium, uric acid, oxalate and citrate levels were evaluated to determine whether the C. langsdorffii extract may function as a stone formation prevention agent. The HPLC analysis of the extract identified flavonoids quercitrin and afzelin as the major components. Animals treated with C. langsdorffii have increased levels of magnesium and decreased levels of uric acid in urinary excretions. Treated animals have a significant decrease in the mean number of calculi and a reduction in calculi mass. Calculi taken from extract treated animals were more brittle and fragile than calculi from untreated animals. Moreover, breaking calculi from untreated animals required twice the amount of pressure as calculi from treated animals (6.90 +/- A 3.45 vs. 3.00 +/- A 1.51). The extract is rich in flavonoid heterosides and other phenolic compounds. Therefore, we hypothesize this class of compounds might contribute significantly to the observed activity.

Chemopreventive effect of Copaifera langsdorffii leaves hydroalcoholic extract on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced DNA damage and preneoplastic lesions in rat colon

Background Natural antioxidants present in common foods and beverages have drawn great attention to cancer prevention due to its health benefits, remarkable lack of toxicity and side effects. Copaifera langsdorffii, known as “copaiba”, “capaiva”, or “pau-de-óleo“, belongs to the Leguminosae family and occurs in fields and grasslands in the northern and northeastern parts of Brazil. Biological studies of Copaifera corroborate its widespread use by the population. This paper describes the effects of C. langsdorffii leaves hydroalcoholic extract on the 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced DNA damage and aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the colon of male Wistar rats. Methods The hydroalcoholic extract of C. langsdorffii was administered to rats by gavage at daily doses of 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight. To evaluate DNA damage by the comet assay, animals received the C. langsdorffii extract for seven days and a single subcutaneous injection (sc) of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) at a dose of 40 mg/kg on day 7. Animals were sacrificed 4 h after injection of DMH, to assess DNA damage. For the ACF assay, animals were acclimatized for one week (week 1) and then treated with the C. langsdorffii extract five times a week for four weeks (weeks 2 to 5). The rats received sc injections of DMH (40 mg/kg) on days 2 and 5 of weeks 2 and 3, to induce ACF. Animals were euthanized at week 5; i.e., four weeks after the first DMH treatment. Results Animals treated with different doses of the C. langsdorffii extract combined with DMH had significantly lower frequency of DNA damage as compared with the positive control (animals treated with DMH only). The percentage of reduction in the frequency of DNA damage ranged from 14.30% to 38.8%. The groups treated with 40 and 80 mg/kg C. langsdorffii extract during and after DMH treatment presented significantly lower numbers of ACF and aberrant crypts compared with the control. Conclusion The C. langsdorffii extract significantly reduced the extent of DNA damage and ACF induced by DMH, suggesting that the extract has a protective effect against colon carcinogenesis.

DESENVOLVIMENTO INICIAL E QUALIDADE DE MUDAS DE Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. SOB DIFERENTES NÍVEIS DE SOMBREAMENTO

As florestas de galeria vêm sendo fragmentadas, levando à perda de sua elevada diversidade, tornando-se imprescindíveis estudos que avaliem o comportamento ecológico de suas espécies arbóreas. O presente estudo teve como objetivo testar a hipótese de que a produção de mudas de Copaifera langsdorffii é influenciada pela luminosidade do ambiente, apresentando maior qualidade e desenvolvimento inicial em níveis intermediários de luz. As plantas foram testadas em pleno sol, 30%, 50%, 70% e 90% de sombreamento, avaliando-se número de folhas, altura e diâmetro aos 60, 90, 120 e 191 dias após a emergência (DAE) e massa seca aérea e radicular e, índice de qualidade de Dickson ao final do experimento (191 DAE). O efeito dos níveis de sombreamento foi analisado por meio de análise de regressão. As plantas apresentaram boa plasticidade de crescimento nos diferentes níveis de luminosidade, mas com melhor desenvolvimento e qualidade (IQD) em 50% de sombreamento, corroborando a hipótese testada. A luminosidade ou sombreamento excessivo devem ser evitados para garantir a produção de mudas mais vigorosas de Copaifera langsdorffii. Assim, recomenda-se a produção de mudas desta espécie sob 50% de sombreamento para favorecer a sua qualidade e possivelmente garantir melhor sobrevivência em campo.

Enraizamento de estacas de seis espécies nativas de mata de galeria: Bauhinia rufa (Bong.) Steud., Calophyllum brasiliense Camb., Copaifera langsdorffii Desf., Inga laurina (Sw.) Willd., Piper arboreum Aubl. e Tibouchina stenocarpa (DC.) Cogn.

Tecnicas de propagacao por meio de enraizamento de estacas tem sido amplamente empregadas na fruticultura, floricultura e silvicultura. No entanto, no Brasil, poucos estudos tem sido feitos com especies nativas. Neste estudo foi testado o enraizamento de estacas caulinares de seis especies nativas de Mata de Galeria do bioma Cerrado: Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. (copaiba), Tibouchina stenocarpa (DC.) Cogn. (quaresmeira), Piper arboreum Aubl. (pimenta-de-macaco), Inga laurina (Sw.) Willd. (inga), Calophyllum brasiliense Camb. (landim) e Bauhinia rufa (Bong.) Steud. (unha-de-vaca). Foi estudada a influencia de diferentes concentracoes de acido indolbutirico, AIB (0, 1000, 2000 e 4000 ppm), em talco, e tratamento com agua sob gotejamento no enraizamento de estacas basais e/ou apicais, conforme a especie, em duas epocas do ano, final das chuvas (marco-maio/98) e inicio da seca (junho/98). Com P. arboreum tambem foi feito um tratamento onde as estacas foram enraizadas usando agua como substrato. Os resultados mostraram que as especies apresentaram diferentes habilidades para formar raizes adventicias em estacas. As estacas de C. langsdorffii e T. stenocarpa nao formaram raizes em qualquer das epocas realizadas, enquanto P. arboreum e I. laurina formaram raizes nas estacas apicais coletadas nas duas epocas (chuvosa e seca). Porem, as estacas basais de P. arboreum formaram menos raizes do que as apicais e as estacas basais de I. laurina nao enraizaram. Ja em C. brasiliense observaram-se altas taxas de sobrevivencia das estacas coletadas nas duas epocas (final das chuvas e inicio da seca), mas nao houve enraizamento. Por ultimo, as estacas de B. rufa enraizaram somente nas coletas realizadas na estacao chuvosa. Os tratamentos auxinicos (AIB) nao tiveram efeitos sobre a percentagem final de enraizamento das estacas de P. arboreum (apicais e basais), de I. laurina (apicais) e de B. rufa, bem como sobre a porcentagem final de sobrevivencia das estacas de C. brasiliense. Entre as especies estudadas, as estacas apicais de P. arboreum apresentaram os percentuais de enraizamento mais elevados: de 63% a 83% no periodo chuvoso e de 63% a 90% no periodo seco. Nas estacas basais o enraizamento foi menor, variando de 7% a 20%, no periodo chuvoso, e de 0 a 13%, no periodo seco. A epoca de coleta afetou a sobrevivencia e o peso seco das estacas apicais de P. arboreum, mas nao o numero de estacas enraizadas. Ja nas estacas basais, onde a capacidade de enraizamento foi menor, a epoca de coleta afetou o enraizamento das estacas, mas nao a sobrevivencia. Nas estacas basais houve uma grande mortalidade das estacas nas duas epocas estudadas (chuva e seca). Em geral, os melhores resultados de enraizamento ocorreram na epoca seca para as estacas apicais e na epoca chuvosa para as estacas basais. A utilizacao de agua de torneira como substrato proporcionou resultados satisfatorios no enraizamento das estacas basais de P. arboreum tanto em copos (200 ml) com agua colocados na casa de vegetacao (87%) quanto no tanque com agua corrente (77%). Em I. laurina a epoca de coleta influenciou a sobrevivencia das estacas apicais. As estacas coletadas na estacao chuvosa apresentaram melhores resultados sobrevivencia do que aquelas coletadas na estacao seca. Nas coletas feitas no final da epoca chuvosa obteve-se uma media de 15% de enraizamento e uma variacao de 3 a 23% de estacas enraizadas conforme os tratamentos. Na seca a media foi de 7% e a variacao foi de 0 a 13%. No periodo seco as medidas de peso seco das raizes foram mais inferiores do que na epoca chuvosa. A maioria das estacas vivas de I. laurina que nao enraizaram formaram calos, sugerindo que um periodo maior de observacao pode levar a maiores percentuais de enraizamento. Em C. brasiliense a epoca de coleta influenciou a sobrevivencia das estacas, de forma que no periodo chuvoso a porcentagem media de sobrevivencia (81%) foi maior do que na epoca seca (71%). Bauhinia rufa teve uma baixa capacidade de enraizamento por meio de estacas coletadas nas duas epocas do ano: apenas 3% das estacas enraizaram quando tratadas com 1000 e 4000 ppm de AIB; nos outros tratamentos nao ocorreu enraizamento. Pelos resultados, sugere-se que P. arboreum e uma especie de facil enraizamento por meio de estacas apicais, nas duas datas estudadas (no final das chuvas e inicio da seca), mas o uso de estacas basais nestas datas e inviavel. Sugere-se tambem que, devido aos baixos percentuais de enraizamento, nas duas epocas (chuva e seca), I. laurina e B. rufa sao especies de dificil enraizamento por meio de estacas apicais e basais com folhas. Ja C. Brasiliense, C. langsdorffii e T. stenocarpa nao enraizaram e podem ser consideradas especies de dificil enraizamento, nestas duas epocas estudadas (chuvosa e seca).

Robustness of germination analysis methods for Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. (Fabaceae) seeds.

2016

Relative effect of litter quality, forest type and their interaction on leaf decomposition in south-east Brazilian forests

Decomposition was studied in a reciprocal litter transplant experiment to examine the effects of forest type, litter quality and their interaction on leaf decomposition in four tropical forests in south-east Brazil. Litterbags were used to measure decomposition of leaves of one tree species from each forest type: Calophyllum brasiliense from restinga forest; Guapira opposita from Atlantic forest; Esenbeckia leiocarpa from semi-deciduous forest; and Copaifera langsdorffii from cerradao. Decomposition rates in rain forests (Atlantic and restinga) were twice as fast as those in seasonal forests (semi-deciduous and cerradao), suggesting that intensity and distribution of precipitation are important predictors of decomposition rates at regional scales. Decomposition rates varied by species, in the following order: E. leiocarpa > C. langsdorffii > G. opposita > C. brasiliense. However, there was no correlation between decomposition rates and chemical litter quality parameters: C:N, C:P, lignin concentration and lignin:N. The interaction between forest type and litter quality was positive mainly because C. langsdorffii decomposed faster than expected in its native forest. This is a potential indication of a decomposer`s adaptation to specific substrates in a tropical forest. These findings suggest that besides climate, interactions between decomposers and plants might play an essential role in decomposition processes and it must be better understood.

Thin films of xyloglucans for BSA adsorption

In this work. XG extracted from Tamarindus indica (XGT) and Copaifera langsdorffii (XGC) seeds were deposited onto Si wafers as thin films. The characteristics of XGT and XGC adsorbed layers were compared with a commercial XG sample (TKP, Tamarind kernel powder) by ellipsometry, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Moreover, the adsorption of oxidized derivative of XGT (To60) onto amino-terminated Si wafers and the immobilization of bovine serum albumin (BSA) onto polysaccharides covered wafers, as a function of pH, were also investigated. The XG samples presented molar ratios Glc:Xyl:Gal of 2.4:2.1:1 (XGC) 2.8: 23: 1 (XGT) and 1.91.91 (TKP). The structure of XGT and XGC was determined by O-methy alditol acetate derivatization and showed similar features, but XGC confirmed the presence of more alpha-D-Xyl branches due to more beta-D-Gal ends. XGT deposited onto Si adsorbed as fibers and small entities uniformly distributed, as evidenced by AFM, while TPK and XGC formed larger aggregates. The thickness of To60 onto amino-terminated surface was similar to that determined for XGT onto Si wafers. A maximum in the adsorbed amount of BSA occurred close to its isoelectric point (5.5). These findings indicate that XGT and To60 are potential materials for the development of biomaterials and biotechnological devices. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Os gêneros Nicotiana L., Bouchetia Dunal e Nierembergia Ruiz & Pav.(Solanaceae) no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Os gêneros Nicotiana L., Bouchetia Dunal e Nierembergia Ruiz & Pav. da tribo Nicotianeae G.Don (Solanaceae), presentes no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, apresentam diversas características em comum, como o hábito predominantemente herbáceo, fruto seco, capsular, com numerosas sementes. Estes gêneros distinguem-se basicamente por Nicotiana apresentar prefloração geralmente contorcido-conduplicada ou conduplicada, corola infundibuliforme, tubular ou hipocrateriforme, anteras dorsifixas e um disco nectarífero presente, enquanto que Bouchetia e Nierembergia apresentam prefloração imbricadoconduplicada ou imbricada e anteras ventrifixas. Em Bouchetia a corola é campanulado-infundibuliforme e um disco nectarífero está presente, enquanto que em Nierembergia a corola é hipocrateriforme e o disco nectarífero está ausente. O gênero Nicotiana, da subtribo Nicotianineae, está representado no Estado por seis espécies nativas: N. alata Link & Otto, N. bonariensis Lehm., N. forgetiana Hemsl., N. langsdorffii Weinm., N. longiflora Cav. e N. mutabilis Stehmann & Semir. Duas outras espécies, provavelmente originárias da Argentina, são também encontradas no Estado: N. glauca Graham, que ocorre de forma ruderal ou cultivada e N. tabacum L., também cultivada, de importância econômica por ser fonte de matéria prima para a indústria do fumo. A única espécie do gênero Bouchetia, presente no Estado, é Bouchetia anomala (Miers) Britton & Rusby, endêmica da região sul do Brasil, Uruguai, Paraguai e nordeste da Argentina. Pertence à subtribo Nierembergiinae Hunz., junto com Nierembergia, com quem apresenta maior afinidade. Nierembergia está representado no Rio Grande do Sul por cinco espécies nativas: N. linariifolia Graham, N. micrantha Cabrera, N. pinifolia Miers, N. riograndensis Hunz. & A.A.Cocucci e N. scoparia Sendtn. Chaves analíticas para identificação dos gêneros da tribo Nicotianeae G.Don e para os da subtribo Nierembergiinae, assim como para as espécies de Nicotiana, Bouchetia e Nierembergia, são apresentadas. Descrições para os três gêneros e suas espécies, ilustrações, mapas de distribuição geográfica no Estado, considerações quanto ao hábitat, observações sobre a fenologia, variabilidade morfológica e outros comentários também são referidos.

Avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana de sistemas emulsionados contendo óleos naturais para o tratamento de infecções cutâneas

Natural oils have shown a scientific importance due to its pharmacological activity and renewable character. The copaiba (Copaifera langsdorffii) and Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana Shaw) oils are used in folk medicine particularly because the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Emulsion could be eligible systems to improve the palatability and fragrance, enhance the pharmacological activities and reduce the toxicological effects of these oils. The aim of this work was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of emulsions based on copaiba (resin-oil and essential-oil) and bullfrog oils against fungi and bacteria which cause skin diseases. Firstly, the essential oil was extracted from copaiba oil-resin and the oils were characterized by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Secondly, emulsion systems were produced. A microbiological screening test with all products was performed followed (the minimum inhibitory concentration, the bioautography method and the antibiofilm determination). Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. krusei and C. tropicalis American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and clinical samples were used. The emulsions based on copaiba oil-resin and essential oil improved the antimicrobial activity of the pure oils, especially against Staphylococcus e Candida resistant to azoles. The bullfrog oil emulsion and the pure bullfrog oil showed a lower effect on the microorganisms when compared to the copaiba samples. All the emulsions showed a significant antibiofilm activity by inhibiting the cell adhesion. Thus, it may be concluded that emulsions based on copaiba and bullfrog oils are promising candidates to treatment of fungal and bacterial skin infections