Márcia do Rocio Duarte

Pre-clinical anti-inflammatory aspects of a cuisine and medicinal millennial herb: Malva sylvestris L.

Malva sylvestris has been used since ancient times for its emollient, laxative and anti-inflammatory properties, being extensively used as salads, soups and teas. The preset study evaluated the topical anti-inflammatory action of M. sylvestris hydroalcoholic extract (HE) and its compounds in mice ear inflammation caused by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-acetate in mice. The LC-MS analysis of the HE confirmed the presence of scopoletin, quercetin and malvidin 3-glucoside compounds in the HE of M. sylvestris. Topical application of the HE reduced ear oedema, polymorphonuclear cells influx (myeloperoxydase activity and histological analysis) and interleukin-1β levels in the tissue. The topical application of the compound present in the HE, malvidin 3-glucoside was also able to inhibit ear oedema and leukocytes migration. The other tested compounds, scopoletin, quercetin and malvidin 3,5-glucoside were able to prevent the formation of oedema and cell infiltration, but with less effectiveness when compared to HE and malvidin 3-glucoside. Therefore, these results consistently support the notion that M. sylvestris leaves possesses topical anti-inflammatory activity, the compound malvidin 3-glucoside seems to be major responsible for this effect, with the participation of other anti-inflammatory compounds in the extract. Thus, as recommended by population, M. sylvestris can be used as a future treatment to skin disorders.

Composition of essential oils and secretory structures of Baccharis anomala, B. megapotamica and B. ochracea

The chemical composition of the essential oils and the anatomical structures of the aerial parts from Baccharis anomala, B. megapotamica and B. ochracea growing in Brazil were studied. The volatile constituents isolated by hydrodistillation were analyzed by gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer detector (GC-MSD) and gas chromatograph coupled to a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The botanical material was fixed, sectioned and prepared according to light and scanning microtechniques. The essential oil from B. anomala yielded 0.18% and showed α-acorenol (16.0%), spathulenol (13.3%) and caryophyllene oxide (12.1%) as the main components. Spathulenol (28.0% and 37.1%) and caryophyllene oxide (20.4% and 30.8%) represented the major constituents of the essential oils from B. megapotamica (yield = 0.17%) and B. ochracea (yield = 0.18%), respectively. The leaves and stems of these Baccharis species showed non-glandular trichomes and secretory ducts. Glandular trichomes were also found on the vegetative aerial parts of B. megapotamica

O progresso da pesquisa sobre o gênero Baccharis, Asteraceae: I - Estudos botânicos

Baccharis is an important genus of the Asteraceae family, which comprises about 500 American species, including 120 species from Brazil. Several authors such as De Candolle, Baker, Heering, Cuatrecasas, Ariza Espinar, Barroso and Giuliano have attempted to elaborate an adequate genus division in subgenera and sections. Baccharis species are economically important since they help to prevent erosion and are employed as ornamental plants, although they can become weeds of difficult control in grazing and poison to the cattle. However, in the folk medicine, many species are relevant and have been studied, aiming to contribute to their morpho-anatomical and quality control knowledge.

Estudo anatômico de folha e caule de Elephantopus mollis Kunth (Asteraceae)

Commonly known as erva-de-colegio in Portuguese, Elephantopus mollis Kunth (Asteraceae) is a perennial herb, with slightly lignified base, short branches and purple flowers. Its leaves are used as emollient, vulnerary and diaphoretic, and to treat bronchitis, coughs and influenza in folk medicine. The aim of this work was to study leaf and stem anatomical characters, in order to expand the knowledge for this medicinal plant identification. Adult leaves and stem fragments were fixed, sectioned and stained either with astra blue/basic fuchsine or toluidine blue. Microchemical essays and scanning electron analysis were also carried out. The leaf has wavy-contoured cells in surface view, forming a single layer and coated with striate cuticle. Non-glandular and glandular trichomes occur. The former is erect, multicellular and uniseriate. The glandular ones are capitate and biseriate. The mesophyll is dorsiventral and the midrib is traversed by collateral vascular bundles arranged in open arc. The stem, in initial secondary growth, has uniseriate epidermis coated with striate cuticle and trichomes similar to the leaf. In the cortex, annular collenchyma alternates with chlorenchyma and an endodermis with Casparian strips is found. Sclerenchymatic caps adjoin the phloem, which is formed outwards by the vascular cambia, while the xylem is produced inwards. The pith is parenchymatic. Small calcium oxalate crystals are present in the leaf and stem.

Macro and microscopic characters of the aerial vegetative organs of Carqueja: Baccharis usterii Heering

Caracteres macro e microscopicos dos orgaos vegetativos aereos de carqueja: Baccharis usterii Heering. Este trabalho objetivou estudar os caracteres macro e microscopicos dos orgaos vegetativos aereos de Baccharis usterii, com aplicacao no controle de qualidade. O material botânico foi preparado de acordo com tecnicas para microscopia optica e de varredura. O caule consistiu de cladodios trialados, nos quais se inserem pequenas folhas. O eixo caulinar apresentou epiderme unisseriada, clorenquima em alternância com colenquima angular, calotas de fibras perivasculares apostas ao floema, o qual se forma externamente ao xilema, e medula parenquimatica. As alas e as folhas mostraram-se semelhantes, apresentando epiderme unisseriada, parenquima palicadico junto a ambas as faces epidermicas e parenquima esponjoso na regiao central, atravessado por feixes vasculares de pequeno porte. Na nervura central da folha, um feixe vascular colateral encontrou-se mergulhado no parenquima fundamental. Dutos secretores e tricomas glandulares ocorreram no caule e na folha

Anatomical characters of the phyllode and stem of Acacia podalyriifolia A. Cunn. ex G. Don (Fabaceae)

The Acacia genus has presented various secondary metabolites, such as tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and gums. Preparations from different species have been applied for diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders and inflammatory diseases in the traditional medicine and have demonstrated cytotoxic, antimicrobial and antiparasitic activities. Acacia podalyriifolia A. Cunn. ex G. Don (Fabaceae) is a small wood, indigenous to Australia and cultivated worldwide for its ornamental feature. This work aimed to characterize the anatomy of the phyllode and stem, in order to contribute to the species identification. The botanical material was fixed, sectioned and prepared according to usual light and scanning microtechniques. The epidermal cells, in surface view, are polygonal and coated with striate and thick cuticle, and filaments of epicuticular wax. Paracytic stomata and unicellular non-glandular trichomes are seen. Palisade and ground parenchymas, and minor collateral bundles with xylem directed alternately to upper and lower sides occur in the blade. The midrib shows two collateral bundles facing each other. The stem, in incipient secondary growth, exhibits epidermis, annular collenchyma, sclerenchymatic sheath and collateral vascular organization. Cells containing phenolic compounds and prisms of calcium oxalate are observed.

Caracteres anatômicos de folha e caule de Calea uniflora Less., Asteraceae

Diversas especies de Calea sao utilizadas como medicinais e varios estudos quimicos tem sido conduzidos para identificar compostos relevantes no genero, no entanto, poucos enfocam aspectos morfoanatomicos. Este trabalho tem por objetivo caracterizar morfologicamente a folha e o caule de Calea uniflora Less., a fim de fornecer subsidios para a identificacao da especie. O material foi submetido as microtecnicas fotonica e eletronica de varredura usuais. A lâmina foliar possui epiderme uniestratificada revestida por cuticula delgada e estriada. Em ambas as faces, ocorrem estomatos anomociticos e anisociticos, alem de tricomas glandulares e tectores. Estes sao pluricelulares e unisseriados, com apice agudo. Os glandulares podem ser pluricelulares e plurisseriados ou capitados e inseridos em depressao na epiderme. O mesofilo e isobilateral e a nervura central e biconvexa, sendo percorrida por um feixe vascular colateral. O caule mostra seccao circular e epiderme unisseriada, com tricomas similares aos da folha. Colenquima angular e clorenquima alternam-se no cortex, fibras perivasculares apoem-se ao floema, o arranjo vascular e colateral e a medula compoe-se de celulas parenquimaticas. Dutos secretores acompanham o sistema vascular na folha e no caule.

Análise morfoanatômica de folhas de Ocotea puberula (Rich.) Nees, Lauraceae

Ocotea puberula (Rich.) Nees is a native woody species. It occurs all over tropical and subtropical America, in almost all the forest formations. It is known as guaica, canela-guaica and canela-sebo, being used by indigenous communities to treat skin diseases and tumours. This work has analysed the leaf morpho-anatomy of the species, in order to supply anatomical information for its identification. The botanical material was fixed and prepared according to usual optical and scanning microtechniques. The leaves are alternate, simple, entire, elliptical or elliptical-lanceolate and revolute at the base. The leaf anatomy shows paracytic stomata and unicellular non-glandular trichomes on the abaxial surface, dorsiventral mesophyll and biconvex midrib consisting of a collateral bundle in open arc. Oil and mucilage cells are found in leaf anatomical structure.

Morfodiagnose da anatomia foliar e caulinar de Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, Theaceae

Camellia sinensis is a shrub or small tree, of Asian origin and commonly called Chinese tea, green tea or black tea. This species has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and hepatic protective activities. Its trade is relevant, either as pharmacognostic drug or raw material in food industry. This work has dealt with the structural diagnosis of the leaf and stem, in order to contribute to its quality control. Samples of the botanical material were fixed, sectioned and stained with astra blue and basic fuchsine. Microchemical tests were also conducted. The leaf has anomocytic stomata on the abaxial side, unicellular non-glandular trichomes on both surfaces, dorsiventral mesophyll, calcium oxalate druses, biconvex midrib and plain-convex petiole, both traversed by a collateral vascular bundle. The stem, on the level analysed, shows uniseriate epidermis, sub-epidermal layer of dehydrated cells, sclerenchymatic sheath, strand of cells with U-thickened walls, collateral vascular organization and pith consisting of parenchymatic and sclerenchymatic cells. Sclereids are found in the leaf and stem.

Estudo anatômico de folha e caule de Pereskia aculeata Mill. (Cactaceae)

Pereskia aculeata Mill. (Cactaceae) is a climbing shrub commonly known as Barbados gooseberry. It has high mucilage and protein content and it is employed in the food and pharmaceutical industry. In traditional medicine, P. aculeata is used externally as emollient. This work aimed to study the leaf and stem anatomy of this plant, in order to supply additional information for its identification and quality control. Mature leaves and stem fragments were fixed, freehand sectioned and stained either with astra blue and basic fuchsine or toluidine blue. Histochemical tests and ultrastructure analysis were carried out. The leaf is simple and elliptical, and has uniseriate epidermis, paracytic stomata on both surfaces, dorsiventral-like mesophyll, several druses of calcium oxalate and large isodiametric cells containing mucilage. In the midrib a collateral bundle in open arc is embedded. The petiole exhibits a plain-convex transection and a collateral bundle in closed arc shape. The stem, in incipient secondary growth, has uniseriate epidermis, angular collenchyma, cortical parenchyma with many amiloplasts, perivascular fibre caps and collateral vascular organization. In the cortex and pith, numerous cavities containing mucilage and druses of calcium oxalate are seen, the latter also in the phloem.