Differential Acetyl Cholinesterase Inhibition by Volatile Oils from two Specimens of Marlierea racemosa (Myrtaceae) Collected from Different Areas of the Atlantic Rain Forest

The volatile oil composition and anti-acetyl cholinesterase activity were analyzed in two specimens of Marlierea racemosa growing in different areas of the Atlantic Rain Forest (Cananeia and Caraguatatuba, SP, Brazil). Component identifications were performed by GUMS and their acetyl cholinesterase inhibitory activity was measured through colorimetric analysis. The major constituent in both specimens was spathulenol (25.1 % in Cananeia and 31.9% in Caraguatatuba). However, the first one also presented monoterpenes (41.2%), while in the Carguatatuba plants, this class was not detected. The oils from the plants collected in Cananeia were able to inhibit the acetyl cholinesterase activity by LIP to 75%, but for oils from the other locality the maximal inhibition achieved was 35%. These results suggested that the monoterpenes are more effective in the inhibition of acetyl cholinesterase activity than sesquiterpenes as these compounds are present in higher amounts in the M. racemosa plants collected in Cananeia.

Annual growth rings in the mangrove Laguncularia racemosa (Combretaceae)

Stem discs from trees of known age were used to determine the periodic nature of the growth rings formed in Laguncularia racemosa and to describe the anatomical features of these rings. The growth rings were scarcely distinct on microscopic examination, but they were well distinguishable macroscopically, with alternating light brown and dark brown layers. Cross-dating analysis revealed the occurrence of annual growth rings in L. racemosa. The existence of annual growth rings in L. racemosa suggests that it may have great potential for dendrochronology and should encourage age-related studies on the dynamics of mangrove forests. These studies can be important for the evaluation of climate change impact on mangrove ecosystems, as well as for the analysis of effects related to climate variability on plant communities.

Notas sobre o novo conceito de Sagotia racemosa Baill. (Euphorbiaceae) em relação as suas variedades

The author furnishes a short note on the new concept of Sagotia racemosa and its varieties.

Sinopse das espécies de Marlierea Cambess. (Myrtaceae) na Amazônia brasileira

O estudo de Marlierea Cambess. na Amazônia Brasileira tem como principal objetivo atualizar os dados sobre a morfologia e taxonomia das espécies da região, bem como fornecer subsídios para esclarecer a separação de Marlierea de Myrcia DC. ex Guill., conforme sugerem alguns autores. Na Amazônia Brasileira, Marlierea está representada por 11 espécies (Marlierea bipennis (O. Berg) McVaugh, M. caudata McVaugh, M. ensiformis McVaugh, M. ferruginea (Poir.) McVaugh, M. mcvaughii B. Holst, M. scytophylla Diels, M. spruceana O. Berg, M. subulata McVaugh, M. summa McVaugh, M. umbraticola (Kunth) O. Berg e M. velutina McVaugh) e uma mal conhecida (M. obumbrans (O. Berg) Nied.), habitando principalmente áreas de formações florestais. O gênero se caracteriza pelo hábito arbóreo ou arbustivo; folhas opostas (exceto em M. velutina que pode apresentar folhas opostas e/ou alternas); as inflorescências em panículas (de fascículos), racemos, cimeiras ou dicásios; botões florais geralmente fechados, abertura irregular do cálice, em 4-5 lobos, pétalas freqüentemente ausentes. Os Estados do Amazonas e Pará representam os dois principais centros de distribuição dessas espécies, sendo M. spruceana e M. umbraticola as espécies mais comuns. Marlierea obumbrans será melhor estudada posteriormente, devido apresentar sua delimitação taxonômica confusa entre Myrcia e Marlierea.

Melitocoria de Zygia racemosa (Ducke) Barneby & Grimes por Melipona seminigra merrillae Cockerell, 1919 y Melipona compressipes manaosensis Schwarz, 1932 (Hymenoptera, Meliponina) en la Amazonía Central, Brasil

Durante el periodo de enero a abril de 2005 fueron encontradas semillas de Zygia racemosa, incorporadas al geoprópolis, en el interior de abejas sin aguijón en dos meliponarios experimentales en Manaus - AM. Fue observada intensa actividad de las obreras de M. seminigra merrillae y M. compressipes manaosensis llegando del campo con semillas fijas en las corbículas adheridas con resina y/o saliendo de las colonias con las semillas atrapadas en las mandíbulas. Ochenta semillas fueron recogidas en el interior de las colonias (mezcladas al geoprópolis en los basureros y fisuras) y también en el exterior, cerca de la entrada de las colonias, como resultado de la caída de esas semillas de las corbículas durante el vuelo de las obreras. Las semillas fueron plantadas en semilleros para la producción de esquejes y posterior identificación de la especie vegetal. Paralelamente se realizó el rastreo en campo en un radio de aproximadamente 3Km para la confirmación de la dispersión de las semillas, observaciones de comportamiento de las abejas forrajeando y recolección de semillas. Un total de 170 plántulas de Z. racemosa fueron encontradas en los alrededores del meliponario del GPA-INPA y 160 en el meliponario Vale Verde. Esos resultados indican que tanto M. compressipes manaosensis como M. seminigra merrillae recolectan y dispersan las semillas de Z. racemosa.

Umidade de equilíbrio da madeira de angelim vermelho (Dinizia excelsa Ducke ), guariúba (Clarisia racemosa Ruiz & Pav.) e tauarí vermelho (Cariniana micrantha Ducke) em diferentes condições de temperatura e umidade relativa

A umidade de equilíbrio deve ser determinada para o local onde a madeira será empregada. Isto pode ser feito através da determinação da umidade das amostras de madeira expostas às condições ambientais de temperatura e umidade relativa em ensaios de campo, de laboratório equipado com câmara de climatização ou estimativas por meio de modelos matemáticos. Neste trabalho foi determinada a umidade de equilíbrio da madeira - UEM do angelim vermelho (Dinizia excelsa Ducke), guariúba (Clarisia racemosa Ruiz & Pav.) e tauarí vermelho (Cariniana micrantha Ducke ), em duas condições de temperatura e três de umidade relativa em câmara de climatização. Encontrou-se diferenças entre a umidade de equilíbrio estimada pela equação de Simpson (1971) e o valor real determinado em câmara climática. Na simulação de ensaio a 25º C de temperatura e umidade relativa de 40% a UEM ficou em média 26,6% superior ao valor estimado pela equação de Simpson (1971), constituindo-se na maior variação. A menor variação foi de 2,1% registrada na espécie angelim vermelho na condição de 35º C e 80% de umidade relativa. A equação de Simpson, no geral, tendeu a superestimar os valores de UEM nas três espécies.

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.

Photosynthetic performance of mangroves Rhizophora mangle and Laguncularia racemosa under field conditions

In mature mangrove plants Rhizophora mangle L. and Laguncularia racemosa Gaerth. growing under field conditions, photosystem 2 (PS2) photochemical efficiency, determined by the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence (Fν/Fm), increased during the day in response to salinity in the rainy seasons. During the dry season, fluorescence values (Fo) were higher than those observed in rainy season. In addition, Fo decreased during the day in both season and species, except for R. mangle during the dry season. A positive correlation among Fν/Fm and salinity values was obtained for R. mangle and L. Racemosa during the dry and rainy seasons, showing that photosynthetic performance is maintained in both species under high salinities. Carotenoid content was higher in L. Racemosa in both seasons, which represents an additional mechanism against damage to the photosynthetic machinery. The chlorophyll content was not affected by salinity in either species.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Bauhinia racemosa L. stem bark

The present study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of a methanol extract of Bauhinia racemosa (MEBR) (Caesalpiniaceae) stem bark in various systems. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide anion radical, nitric oxide radical, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays were carried out to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the extract. The antioxidant activity of the methanol extract increased in a concentration-dependent manner. About 50, 100, 250, and 500 µg MEBR inhibited the peroxidation of a linoleic acid emulsion by 62.43, 67.21, 71.04, and 76.83%, respectively. Similarly, the effect of MEBR on reducing power increased in a concentration-dependent manner. In DPPH radical scavenging assays the IC50 value of the extract was 152.29 µg/ml. MEBR inhibited the nitric oxide radicals generated from sodium nitroprusside with an IC50 of 78.34 µg/ml, as opposed to 20.4 µg/ml for curcumin. Moreover, MEBR scavenged the superoxide generated by the PMS/NADH-NBT system. MEBR also inhibited the hydroxyl radical generated by Fenton's reaction, with an IC50 value of more than 1000 µg/ml, as compared to 5 µg/ml for catechin. The amounts of total phenolic compounds were also determined and 64.7 µg pyrocatechol phenol equivalents were detected in MEBR (1 mg). The antimicrobial activities of MEBR were determined by disc diffusion with five Gram-positive, four Gram-negative and four fungal species. MEBR showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms. The results obtained in the present study indicate that MEBR can be a potential source of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.

Microsatellite primers for Ficus racemosa and Ficus rubiginosa

We developed 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci each for the figs Ficus (Sycomorus) racemosa and Ficus (Urostigma) rubiginosa from AG- and TG-enriched genomic libraries. These 22 loci were investigated for cross-species amplification and polymorphism in 17–21 F. racemosa and 16–24 F. rubiginosa individuals from Townsville, Australia. Observed heterozygosities range from 0.12 to 0.90 in F. racemosa and from 0.25 to 1.0 in F. rubiginosa.

The uses of Atuna racemosa Raf. (Chrysobalanaceae) in Samoa

An ethnobotanical study was made of the uses of Atuna racemosa subsp. racemosa (Chrysobalanaceae) in Samoa. The main use is of the cotyledons to extract an anti-inflammatory massage oil and a putty to caulk boats. Minor uses as a medicinal and of the wood are reported and a survey of herbarium material shows that the fruit of Atuna is widely used throughout the Pacific region.

Floral biology and late-acting self-incompatibility in Jacaranda racemosa (Bignoniaceae)

Breeding-system studies have been conducted with 38 of the approximately 800 species of Bignoniaceae, and self-incompatibility was found in 31 of these. In species for which the site of self-incompatibility barrier was studied, self-pollinated flowers consistently failed to develop into fruits, even though pollen tubes grew down to the ovary and penetrated most of the ovules. In this study, we have investigated the. oral biology and the breeding system in Jacaranda racemosa Chamisso, with hand-pollination experiments and the histology of post-pollination events. Flower anthesis lasted 1-3 days, and although the frequency of flower visitation was extremely low, natural pollination seemed to be effected mainly by medium-sized bees. Because the conspicuous staminodium favours eventual pollination by small bees, a possible role of the staminodium in the increase of potential pollinators is suggested. Hand-pollinations indicated that J. racemosa is a self-sterile species. Histological analysis of post-pollination events indicated the occurrence of a kind of late-acting self-incompatibility in which the processes of ovule penetration, fertilisation and endosperm initiation were slower in selfed than in crossed pistils. Until the time of self-pollinated pistil abscission, no signs of endosperm malfunction or proembryo development were observed in selfed pistils. Therefore, inbreeding depression is an unlikely explanation for self-sterility in J. racemosa.

Anatomical characterization and chemical profile of Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn leaf blades, from impacted and non-impacted mangroves of the São Paulo Coast

Anatomical characterization and chemical profile of Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn leaf blades, from impacted and non-impacted mangroves of the São Paulo Coast. Several sources of environmental impact have caused great damage to the flora in mangroves. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the anatomy and chemical composition of Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn leaf blades, from impacted (Municipality of Santos) and non-impacted mangroves (Municipality of Peruibe) of the São Paulo Coast. For the leaf anatomy studies, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used. For chemical analysis, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was conducted. The biometry revealed leaf tissues of plants from impacted mangroves with a less thick epidermis and mesophyll and higher width of the central vascular beam. A smaller number of stomata and higher amounts of daises in these leaves were also observed. Results were confirmed by the Student t-test (alpha = 5%). The chemical profiles revealed a higher ammount of secondary metabolites in leaves from the impacted environment.

Sulfated polysaccharide extracted of the green algae Caulerpa racemosa increase the enzymatic activity and paw edema induced by sPLA2 from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom

Sulfated polysaccharides derived from seaweed have shown great potential for use in the development of new drugs. In this study, we observed that a low-molecular-weight sulfated polysaccharide from Caulerpa racemosa, termed CrSP, could interact with secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom. When native sPLA2 (14 kDa) was incubated with CrSP, they formed a molecular complex (sPLA2:CrSP) with a molecular mass of 32 kDa, approximately. Size exclusion chromatography experiments suggested that CrSP formed a stable complex with sPLA2. We belived that sPLA2 and SPCr are involved an ionic interaction between negatively charged CrSP and the positively charged basic amino acid residues of sPLA2, because this interaction induced significant changes in sPLA2 enzymatic and pharmacological activities. CrSP caused a significant increase in sPLA2 enzymatic and bactericidal activity and increased its edematogenic effect. A pharmacological assay showed that the myotoxic activity of sPLA2:CrSP is unrelated to its enzymatic activity and that sPLA2:CrSP may have a practical application as a natural antibacterial agent for use in humans and commercially raised animals.