Análise experimental da ação hepatoprotetora e antiinflamatória de Baccharis trimera (Less) DC Asteraceae

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O gênero Pterocaulon Ell. (Asteraceae) no Rio Grande do Sul: aspectos taxônomicos, palinológicos e fitoquímicos

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Biosystematics of the Genus Andryala L. (Asteraceae)

Andryala (Asteraceae: Cichorieae) is a little-known Mediterranean-Macaronesian genus whose taxonomy is much in need of revision. The aim of the present biosystematic study was to elucidate species relationships within this genus based on morphological and molecular data. In this study several taxa are recognised: 17 species, 14 subspecies, and 3 hybrids. Among these, 5 species are Macaronesian endemics (A. glandulosa, A. sparsiflora, A. crithmifolia Aiton, A. pinnatifida, and A. perezii), 4 species are Northwest African endemics (A. mogadorensis, A. maroccana, A. chevallieri, and A. nigricans) and one species is endemic to Romania (A. laevitomentosa). Historical background regarding taxonomic delimitation in the genus is addressed from Linnaean to present day concepts, as well as the origin of the name Andryala. The origin of Asteraceae and the systematic position of Andryala is shortly summarised. The morphological study was based on a bibliographic review and the revision of 1066 specimens of 13 herbaria as well as additional material collected during fieldwork. The variability of the morphological characters of the genus, including both vegetative taxonomic characters (root, stem, leaf and indumentum characters) and reproductive ones (inflorescence, floret, fruit and pappus characters), is assessed. Numerical analysis of the morphological data was performed using different similarity or dissimilarity measures and coefficients, as well as ordination and clustering methods. Results support the segregation of the recognised taxa and the congruence of the several analyses in the separation of the recognised taxa (using quantitative, binary or multi-state characters). The proposed taxonomy for Andryala includes a new infra-generic classification, new taxa and new combinations and ranks, typifications and diagnostic keys (one for the species and several for subspecies). For each taxon a list of synonyms, typification comments and a detailed description are provided, just as comments on taxonomy and nomenclature, and a brief discussion on karyology. Additionally, information on ecology and conservation status as well as on distribution and a list of studied material are also presented. Phylogenetic analyses based on different nuclear and chloroplast DNA markers, using Bayesian and maximum parsimony methods of inference, were performed. Results support three main lineages: separate ones for the relict species A. agardhii and A. laevitomentosa and a third including the majority of the Andryala species that underwent a relatively rapid and recent speciation. They also suggest a single colonization event of Madeira and the Canary Islands from the Mediterranean region, followed by insular speciation. Biogeography and speciation within the genus are briefly discussed, including a proposal for the centre of origin of the genus and possible dispersal routes.

Anti-leishmanial effects of purified compounds from aerial parts of Baccharis uncinella C. DC. (Asteraceae)

Species of Baccharis exhibit antibiotic, antiseptic, wound-healing, and anti-protozoal properties, and have been used in the traditional medicine of South America for the treatment of several diseases. In the present work, the fractionation of EtOH extract from aerial parts of Baccharis uncinella indicated that the isolated compounds caffeic acid and pectolinaringenin showed inhibitory activity against Leishmania (L.) amazonensis and Leishmania (V.) braziliensis promastigotes, respectively. Moreover, amastigote forms of both species were highly sensible to the fraction composed by oleanolic + ursolic acids and pectolinaringenin. Caffeic acid also inhibited amastigote forms of L. (L.) amazonensis, but this effect was weak in L. (V.) braziliensis amastigotes. The treatment of infected macrophages with these compounds did not alter the levels of nitrates, indicating a direct effect of the compounds on amastigote stages. The results presented herein suggest that the active components from B. uncinella can be important to the design of new drugs against American tegumentar leishmaniases.

Towards new botanical pesticides: the toxic effect of Eremanthus goyazensis (Asteraceae) leaves essential oil against Brevipalpus phoenicis (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)

This work reports the chemical characterization of Eremanthusgoyzensis essential oil and its toxic effect over Brevipalpus phoenicis. The essential oil displayed a major composition of sesquiterpenes (61.87%) including trans-caryophillene (26.81%) and germacrene-D (13.31%). The fumigation test indicated a promising bioactivity over adult B. phoenicis individuals at 24 h (2.03 µL/L of air) and 48 h (1.08 µL/L of air) of exposition. A brief discussion of essential oils composition and their singular role on the toxic effect over B. phoenicis is provided here. Our results may contribute to a new and profitable use of a species of Brazilian flora on agribusiness.

Gochnatia polymorpha (Less.) Cabrera (Asteraceae) changes in leaf structure due to differences in light and edaphic conditions

Gochnatia polymorpha (Less.) Cabrera é uma espécie de Asteraceae com ampla distribuição no bioma cerrado, sendo encontrada em diversas fisionomias florestais da região sudeste do Brasil. O presente estudo descreve alguns caracteres anatômicos foliares dessa espécie e os analisa quantitativamente em função de sua ocorrência nas formações florestais e também das diferenças de luminosidade. Foram encontradas diferenças quantitativas em todos os parâmetros anatômicos analisados. Os resultados demonstram que a alta plasticidade anatômica foliar nesta espécie pode ser considerada como uma vantagem adaptativa que a permite ocorrer em diversos ambientes do cerrado.

Occurrence of Physoclypeus farinosus Hendel (Diptera : Lauxaniidae) in flowerheads of Asteraceae (Asterales)

The occurrence of Physoclypeus farinosus Hendel in flowerheads of Asteraceae from different Brazilian localities is presented. The use of this resource by this fly is discussed.

An evergreen neotropical savanna tree (Gochnatia polymorpha, Asteraceae) produces different dry- and wet-season leaf types

Gochnatia polymorpha (Less.) Cabrera is a widespread tree species found in different physiognomies of neotropical savanna (cerrado) formations of south-eastern Brazil. The present study describes some leaf anatomical characteristics of this species as a function of the time of leaf flush, during dry or wet seasons. This species presents anatomical plasticity in the cuticle, palisade parenchyma and abaxial epidermis as well as in stomatal size and stomatal and trichome density, which are leaf structures linked with water-status control. Leaf structure changed to suit the particular environmental conditions during dry and wet seasons. The production of different wet-and dry-season leaf types in G. polymorpha could be a response to drought and an adaptation to environmental constraints in the cerrado.

Avaliação da atividade fotoprotetora de Achillea millefolium L. (Asteraceae)

As radiações ultravioleta (divididas em ultravioleta A, B e C), por possuírem diferentes energias e comprimentos de onda, apresentam diferentes atividades sobre os organismos, sendo que algumas destas atividades são benéficas e outras, não. A fim de evitar os malefícios causados por estas radiações, existem produtos denominados fotoprotetores. Uma vez que os flavonóides são considerados um fator importante de proteção contra a radiação ultravioleta, alguns estudos concentram-se na avaliação da atividade fotoprotetora que algumas plantas, compostas por flavonóides, possam apresentar. Sendo assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade fotoprotetora de extratos das flores e folhas de Achillea millefolium L. através de testes in vitro por espectrofotometria no ultravioleta. Embora a literatura descreva a presença de flavonóides nas flores e folhas de A. millefolium, não foi encontrada atividade fotoprotetora nos extratos testados.

Antidiarrhoeal effects of Mikania glomerata Spreng. (Asteraceae) leaf extract in mice

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Atividade antibacteriana do óleo essencial de Melampodium divaricatum (Rich.) DC., Asteraceae

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effect of Mikania glomerata (Asteraceae) leaf extract combined with anti-venom serum on experimental Crotalus durissus (Squamata: Viperidae) envenomation in rats

Crotalic envenomation represents the highest number of deaths when compared to other snakebite envenomations of medical interest. Crotalic venom has important characteristics such as neurotoxicity, myotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and clotting and hemolytic action. We evaluated the clinical and laboratory aspects of Crotalus durissus terrificus experimental envenomation in Wistar rats treated with antivenom and the aqueous extract of the plant mikania glomerata. The animals were divided into three groups: Group C (control); Group VS-venom and antivenom; Group VSM-venom, antivenom and aqueous extract of M glomerata. Crotalic poison caused clinical and laboratory alterations in Wistar mice. Significant clinical alterations were: temperature decrease, edema in the venom inoculated member, sedation and a locomotion decrease in groups VS and VSM when compared with group C. A faster recovery from sedation was observed only for animals of group VSM when compared to VS. There was an increase in the number of leukocytes, neutrophils and creatine kinase in the VS and VSM groups, compared to group C. Wistar rats showed a high resistance to crotalic venom. Additional studies with different doses, time of treatment, different administration methods and histopathological and immunological studies are necessary to understand the action of M glomerata in crotalic accidents. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (4): 929-937. Epub 2009 December 01.

Morfoanatomia e ontogênese do fruto e semente de Vernonia platensis (Spreng.) Less. (Asteraceae)

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

Two novel reports of semidry stigmatic surface in Asteraceae

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

Acaricidal activity of ethanolic extract from aerial parts of Tagetes patula L. (Asteraceae) against larvae and engorged adult females of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806)

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