Maria Conceição de Souza

Aquatic macrophytes of Itaipu Reservoir, Brazil: survey of species and ecological considerations

In a survey of the aquatic macrophytes of the Itaipu Reservoir, we identified 62 taxa in 25 families and 42 genera. The highest number taxa was observed for the emergent macrophytes (40 taxa). Reduced fluctuation in water level, increased light penetration, and sediment enrichment by nutrients and organic matter following the formation of the reservoir favored the appearance of a species-rich community of submerged macrophytes (23% of the taxa identified). The aquatic macrophytes were found mainly near the mouths of the main tributaries of the reservoir, in shallow area of depth less than 2 meters. In addition to the shallow depth, the greater nutrient input from the tributaries and relative protection from wind explained this distribution. Among the species found, Egeria najas merits mention for its occurrence in all localities sampled, with biomass values varying between 98 and 186 gDW/m2. Some potential nuisance species such as Eichhornia crassipes, Salvinia auriculata, and Pistia stratiotes also deserve attention, since they were also observed to be covering large areas of Itaipu Reservoir.

Potencial for natural forest regeneration from seed bank in an upper Paraná river floodplain, Brazil

The historical process of deforestation was analyzed to evaluate the regeneration potential of forests from soil seed bank of Porto Rico island (53° 15’W and 22° 45’S) in the upper Parana river floodplain. Remnant forest fragments were identified and measured and the structure of arboreous vegetation and the composition of the seed bank of the forests and grassland of the island were evaluated. Results showed a fast process of deforestation with critical levels of forest: the remaining twice fragments represented only 5.98% of the total surface of the island. Disturbance by cattle raised on the island continuously degraded the fragments (backward succession), while expansion of areas with pasture favored severe impoverishment of the seed banks flora. The latter factor, soil compaction, and characteristics of seeds of existing arboreous species in the bank suggested that the immediate reestablishment of vegetation was more conditioned to introduction processes of seeds (by rain and “flood seed”) than by stock of seeds in the bank.

Structure, composition and spatial distribution of tree species in a remnant of the semideciduous seasonal Alluvial Forest of the upper Paraná River Floodplain

The aim of this investigation was to study the structure, distribution patterns, and dynamics of tree species in a remnant of the Semideciduous Seasonal Alluvial Forest in the Upper Parana River Floodplain, Brazil. Spatial variation of the vegetation was considered mainly in relation to soil and topographic characteristics. The 5,946 m2 study area extended along a transect from the bank of the Parana River across the floodplain, passing through a lake. Phytosociological analysis were performed for 36 plots, each 150 m2. Subanalysis were performed for 300 m2 zones. Soil characteristics and topographic profile and their relationship to the vegetation were analyzed. Hydrodynamic and sediment processes were the most important factors in vegetation establishment and succession, determining species selection and formation and evolution of the substrate. These processes and their local spatial variability fundamentally affected the dynamics, structure, and patterns of distribution.

Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of Randia Hebecarpa. and Major Constituents

Abstract The methanol extract of Randia hebecarpa. Benth. (Rubiaceae) leaves was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan- and dextran-induced rat paw edema models. Antioxidant activities of the methanol extract and of the fractions resulting from its partition were also measured using the 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and the linoleic acid peroxidation method. The methanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction, and hydromethanol fraction exhibited percent inhibition of lipid peroxidation comparable to that of commercial antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Fractionation of the ethyl acetate and hydromethanol fractions through chromatographic methods yielded kaempferol-3, 7-O.-α.-L-dirhamnoside, kaempferol-3-O.-β.-D-galactoside, quercetin-3-O.-β.-D-galactoside, myricetin-3-O.-α.-L-rhamnoside, kaempferol-3-O.-α.-L-rhamnosyl-(1 → 6)-β.-D-galactosyl-7-O.-α.-L-rhamnoside, quinovic acid-3-O.-β.-D-quinovopyranosil-28-O.-β.-D-glucopyranoside, cincholic acid 3-O.-β.-D-quinovopyranosil-28-O.-β.-D-glucopyranoside, and the sugar D-mannitol.

Steroidal alkaloid glycosides from Solanum orbignianum

Aerial parts of Solanum orbignianum afforded a new steroidal alkaloid glycoside, leptinidine 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, together with the known alkaloids leptinidine, leptinine I and leptinine II. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods.

Vascular flora of the Upper Paraná River floodplain

The purpose of this study was to update the floristic inventory found in the Upper Paraná River floodplain. Floristic surveys were performed from February 2000 through March 2008, as part of the Brazilian Long-Term Ecological Research Program (PELD/CNPq-Site 6). The material collected was identified from 774 species, 442 genera, and 116 families. The ten families with high species richness were Leguminosae, Poaceae, Rubiaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Myrtaceae, Cyperaceae, Solanaceae, Sapindaceae, and Orchidaceae, which contributed to 46.1% of the total number of species. Genera with high richness were Solanum, Cyperus, Panicum, Eugenia, Tillandsia, Serjania, Casearia, and Polygonum, which together contributed to 10.2% of the total number of species. These data, combined with information published in 1997, recorded 955 species, 575 genera, and 128 families. These organisms were from several riparian environments and were distributed as herbs, shrubs, trees, climbers and epiphytes. Panicum maximum, Pennisetum purpureum, Ricinus communis, and Urochloa decumbens are considered weeds due to the wide distributions determined for these species. The results presented herein suggest the need to further investigate the control of these potential weed species.

Antiproliferative activity of Luehea candicans Mart. et Zucc. (Tiliaceae)

Luehea candicans Mart. et Zucc. (Tiliaceae) is known as ‘açoita-cavalo’ and is one of the most important medicinal plants found in the Brazilian cerrado. The crude methanolic extracts of the branches and leaves and their fractions were evaluated using the following cancer cell lines: MCF-7 (breast), NCI-ADR (breast expressing the multidrug resistance phenotype), NCI-460 (lung), UACC-62 (melanoma), 786-0 (kidney), OVCAR (ovarian), PCO-3 (prostate), HT-29 (colon) and K-562 (leukaemia). The crude methanolic extracts from the branches (B) and leaves (L) were able to inhibit the growth of the K-562 and 786-0 cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, with GI50 values of 8.1 and 5.4 µg mL−1, respectively. The hexane (L1), chloroform (L2) and methanol (L4) fractions derived from extract L showed a high selectivity and pronounced cytostatic activity against 786-0 (GI50 ∼ 40 µg mL−1). A significant amount of lupeol was isolated from fraction L2. The chloroform (B2) and methanol (B3) fractions derived from extract (B) exhibited less selectivity, showing the highest cytostatic activity against K-562, NCI-ADR, OVCAR, MCF-7 and NCI-460 cells, with GI50 values between 27 and 40 µg mL−1. Lupeol, betulin, a mixture of steroids, (−)-epicatechin, vitexin and liriodendrin were isolated from these active fractions.

Saponinas triterpênicas das raízes de guettarda pohliana müll. Arg. (Rubiaceae)

The phytochemical investigation of Guettarda pohliana roots led to the isolation of 28-O-b-D-glycopyranosyl-3-O-b-D-quinovopyranosyl quinovic acid, 28-O-b-D-glycopyranosyl-3-O-b-D-glycopyranosyl quinovic acid, 3-O-b-D-glycopyranosyl quinovic acid, 28-O-b-D-glycopyranosyl-3-O-b-D-glycopyranosyl cincholic acid along with quinovic acid, daucosterol and 4,5-O-dicaffeoyl quinic acid. The structures of the isolated compounds were assigned on the basis of spectroscopic data, including two-dimensional NMR methods. The antiradical activity of the crude methanolic extract and of its fractions was evaluated.

Constituintes polares das folhas de Machaonia brasiliensis (Rubiaceae)

Chemical investigation of the MeOH extract of the leaves of Machaonia brasiliensis (Rubiaceae) resulted in the isolation and identification of 3b-O-b-glucopyranosyl stigmasterol, 3b-O-b-glucopyranosyl sitosterol, secologanoside, 7-O-b-glucopyranosyl quercetagetin, 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR experiments. The chemotaxonomic relevance of the isolation of secologanoside is discussed.

Estudo fitoquímico e avaliação da toxicidade frente a Artemia salina e da atividade antimicrobiana de Calycorectes psidiiflorus (O. Berg) Sobral, Myrtaceae

The phytochemical study of Calycorectes psidiiflorus (O. Berg) Sobral leaves resulted in isolation and identification of the sesquiterpene 8-hydroxycalamenene (1), triterpenes α-amyrin (2a) and β-amyrin (2b), flavonoid 3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl-7-O-β-glucopyranosyl kaempferol (3), and of the alkaloid 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-methyl-β-carboline (4). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated based on their spectroscopic NMR data and comparison with those reported in literature. Substance 1 presented antibacterial (MIC = 7.8 µg/mL) and antifungal (MIC = 15.6 µg/ mL) activities.