Maria Helena Rezende

Estudo farmacognóstico das folhas de Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) L.R. Landrum - Myrtaceae

The goal of this research was to obtain quality control parameters for the identification of the plant drug of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) L. R. Landrum that occurs in Brazilian savannah. So, two samples were collected, one in Minas Gerais state - Brazil, and the other one in Brasilia city - DF - Brazil, and the vouchers were deposited in the UFG Herbarium code number UFG-27159 and Ezechias Paulo Heringer Herbarium code number 21745-0, respectively. Part of the botanical material in both samples was prepared for microscopic analysis. The other one was air-dried, crushed to powder and used for phytochemical screening. The study has shown that P. pseudocaryophyllus leaves are hypostomatic, there are abundant unicellular trichomes in abaxial surface, there are secretory cavities with oily content and epidermal cells have thick wall. Tannins, phenolic compounds and flavonoids were detected in the phytochemical screening. The tannins had been quantified by different methods involving colorimetric and protein precipitation reactions, getting different results. This fact calls the attention for the necessity of specifying the method used together with the minimum tannins limit established. The results configure as important parameters for the quality control of the plant material and denote that the species in study take an important potential as herbal medicine that it deserves to be investigated in pharmacologic and toxicologic studies.

Chemical Constituents of Essential Oil fromLippia sidoidesCham. (Verbenaceae) Leaves Cultivated in Hidrolândia, Goiás, Brazil

Several studies involving the family Verbenaceae, occurring in the Brazilian Cerrado, have emphasized the popular use of many aromatic species. We highlight the use of Lippia sidoides Cham., known as “alecrim pimenta,” native to northeastern Brazil and northern Minas Gerais. Leaves of this species were collected in antropized Brazilian Cerrado area, in Hidrolândia, Goiás, and their essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus and thereafter analyzed GC/MS. Among the compounds identified in this study were the most abundant oxygenated monoterpenes, followed by sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons. The oxygenated monoterpene 1,8-cineole was the major constituent followed by isoborneol and bornyl acetate. The chemical composition of essential oil described in this paper differs from that described in the literature for L. sidoides found in its native environment, where the major constituents are thymol and carvacrol.

Antimicrobial activity of the crude ethanol extract from Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus

The antimicrobial activity of the crude ethanol extract from Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) L. R. Landrum (Myrtaceae), collected at two locations in Brazil, was investigated. Leaf samples were collected in April 2005 and in September 2005, both in Brasília, DF, Brazil, and in July 2000 in São Gonçalo do Abaeté, MG, Brazil. They were dried, crushed and used to obtain three crude ethanol extracts. The agar diffusion test was used for antimicrobial activity screening and the agar dilution method for determining the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). In assay conditions, extracts I, II and III demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, M. roseus, Bacillus cereus, B. atrophaeus, and B. stearothermophilus (MIC 0.39062 to 12.5 mg/mL, MIC 0.78125 to 1.5625 mg/mL and MIC 0.39062 to 1.5625 mg/mL, respectively), against Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC 0.39062 to 3.125 mg/mL, MIC 1.5625 mg/mL and MIC 0.78125 to 1.5625 mg/mL, respectively), against clinical isolates of Pseudomonas stutzeri (MIC 0.39062 to 0.78125 mg/mL, MIC 0.78125 to 1.5625 mg/mL, MIC 0.78125 to 1.5625 mg/mL, respectively) and also against Candida albicans fungi (MIC 0.19531 mg/mL for the extracts I, II and III). This study showed that the antimicrobial activity of P. pseudocaryophyllus might be considered sufficient to encourage further studies to isolate and identify its active principles. Pharmacological and toxicological studies are also necessary, followed by studies regarding the culturing and managing processes of this vegetable.

Anatomia foliar em plantas jovens de Solanum lycocarpum A.St.-Hil. (Solanaceae)

Solanum lycocarpum A.St.Hil. is a widely distributed and well adapted shrub of cerrado areas in Brazil. Anatomic studies of the leaves of 60 days old plants obtained from seeds germinated at the greenhouse were carried out. Transversal and paradermal sections were prepared using the usual microthecniques. Both leaf surfaces are covered with simple glandular and non-glandular trichomes, and stellate trichomes. At front sight, the walls of the epidermal cells are sinuous with stomata occurring on both upper and lower surfaces. At cross-section it is observed that the epidermis consists of a single layer of cells and the mesophyll is dorsiventral. The palisade parenchyma consists of a single layer of cells and the parenchyma which is faced to abaxial surface is shaped by three to five layers of cells with compact arrangement. The results constitute a basic reference for further studies about this species, on this stage of development.

Chemical Constituents of Essential Oil from Lippia sidoides Cham. (Verbenaceae) Leaves Cultivated in Hidrolândia, Goiás, Brazil.

Several studies involving the family Verbenaceae, occurring in the Brazilian Cerrado, have emphasized the popular use of many aromatic species. We highlight the use of Lippia sidoides Cham., known as “alecrim pimenta,” native to northeastern Brazil and northern Minas Gerais. Leaves of this species were collected in antropized Brazilian Cerrado area, in Hidrolândia, Goiás, and their essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus and thereafter analyzed GC/MS. Among the compounds identified in this study were the most abundant oxygenated monoterpenes, followed by sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons. The oxygenated monoterpene 1,8-cineole was the major constituent followed by isoborneol and bornyl acetate. The chemical composition of essential oil described in this paper differs from that described in the literature for L. sidoides found in its native environment, where the major constituents are thymol and carvacrol.

Essential oil composition, antimicrobial and pharmacological activities of Lippia sidoides cham. (verbenaceae) from São Gonçalo do Abaeté, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Background: Lippia sidoides (Verbenaceae) is used in Brazilian folk medicine as an antiseptic, and it is usually applied topically on skin, mucous membranes, mouth, and throat, or used for vaginal washings. Objectives: To analyze the chemical composition of the essential oil from L. sidoides collected in São Gonçalo do Abaeté, Minas Gerais and grown in Hidrolândia, Goiás; to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil, crude ethanol extract, and hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl-acetate, and aqueous fractions (AFs); to study the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and central nervous system activities of the crude ethanol extract. Materials and methods: The essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus and analyzed by GC/MS. The antimicrobial activity in vitro was performed by broth microdilution method. The pharmacological tests were performed using female Swiss albino mice. Results: The major components of the essential oil were isoborneol (14.66%), bornyl acetate (11.86%), α -humulene (11.23%), α -fenchene (9.32%), and 1.8-cineole (7.05%), supporting the existence of two chemotypes of this species. The hexane fraction (HF) had good antifungal activity against Cryptococcus sp. ATCC D (MIC = 31.25 μg/mL) and Cryptococcus gatti L48 (MIC = 62.5 μg/mL). In the pharmacological tests, the crude ethanol extract presented antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. Conclusion: Given that the ethanol extract of L. sidoides is included in the Formulary of Phytotherapeutic Agents of the Brazilian Pharmacopeia as an anti-inflammatory for oral cavities, the present work provides scientific evidence to back this use and highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate chemotype on the basis of the expected biological response. Abbreviations used: UFG: Universidade Federal de Goiás; HF: hexane fraction; DF: dichloromethane fraction; EAF: ethyl acetate fraction; AF: aqueous fraction; MeOH: methanol; MIC: minimum inhibitory concentration; ATCC: American Type Culture Collection; MH: Müller Hinton; DMSO: dimethyl sulfoxide; RPMI: Roswell Park Memorial Institute; NaCl: sodium chloride; μL: microliters; mL: milliliters; μg: microgram; kg: kilogram; h: hour; min: minute; cm: centimeter; COBEA: Brazilian College of Animal Experiments; p.o.:, oral; i.p.: intraperitoneal; s.c.: subcutaneous; SEM: standard error of the mean; RI: retention indices.

Morfoanatomia de Memora nodosa (Silva Manso) Miers, Bignoniaceae

Memora nodosa (Silva Manso) Miers, Bignoniaceae, e uma planta do Cerrado utilizada popularmente como cicatrizante de ulceras e feridas externas (folhas e caules). O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar morfologicamente essa especie e fazer o estudo anatomico de suas folhas. O estudo morfologico foi realizado a vista desarmada e com o auxilio de microscopio estereoscopico. Para o estudo anatomico as folhas foram seccionadas e as lâminas histologicas confeccionadas de acordo com as tecnicas convencionais. Memora nodosa e um arbusto com folhas opostas cruzadas, recompostas, bipinadas, imparipinadas, com foliolulos pequenos, lanceolados, verde-escuros e brilhantes. A inflorescencia e racemosa com flores infundibuliformes e corola amarelo-ouro; glândulas nectariferas sao observadas no terco superior do calice; androceu com quatro estames ferteis, didinamos e um estaminodio reduzido; gineceu com estilete terminal, ovario supero, assentado sobre um disco nectarifero. O fruto e do tipo capsula septifraga achatada, com sementes aladas. Anatomicamente a lâmina do foliolulo e hipoestomatica com estomatos predominantemente paraciticos. O parenquima palicadico e pluriestratificado, ocupando cerca de dois tercos do mesofilo dorsiventral. Tricomas glandulares e tectores sao observados, em maior numero, nas folhas jovens.

Estudo das folhas e caule de Hyptidendron canum (Pohl ex Benth. ) Harley, Lamiaceae

Hyptidendron canum(Pohl ex Benth.) Harley, Lamiaceae, is popularly used as an antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerative, antihepatotoxic and anticancer agent. The goal of this research was to perform the morphoanatomy study of H. canumleaves and stem and identify the main classes of secondary metabolites present in the of H. canumleaves. Such data have not been reported in the literature. The young leaves and stems were collected in Goiânia (GO), hand sectioned and prepared for microscope analysis. Reactions were performed for the identification of secondary metabolites of the dried and pulverized material. The crude ethanol extract was prepared and then fractioned by liquid-liquid partition with hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis was performed on the fractions. The leaf blades presented adaxial epidermis constituted of polygonal cells with straight walls. On the abaxial epidermis cells with straight to wavy walls and diacytic and anisocytic stomates were noted. Non-glandular and glandular trichomes are present on both faces of the leaf blade. The petiole is grooved, and it presents single layered adaxial and abaxial epidermis. The cross section of the stem presents a generally quadrangular contour with the presence of non-glandular and glandular trichomes. The leaf reactions and TLC evidenced the presence of flavonoids, saponins, terpenes and lignanes. This works helps to increase knowledge of the morphoanatomy and the chemical classes present in H. canum.

Caracterização farmacognóstica de folhas de Davilla elliptica St.-Hil. (Dilleniaceae)

Davilla elliptica St.-Hil. is popularly used in the treatment of hemorrhoid, diarrhea and wounds. The aim of this work was to characterize pharmacognosticaly two leaves samples of D. elliptica. Paradermal and transversal sections had been submitted the usual techniques of optical microscopy. The leaves of D. elliptica are hypostomatics, and the stomata predominantly paracytic. In both epidermis were observed unicellular non-glandular trichomes. The mesophyll is isolateral and shows idioblasts with crystals in raphide. The vascular system in the midrib is constituted by three vascular bundles, forming a circular structure. The petiole shows a circular structure probably formed by union of many vascular bundles localized in the central region. The powdered plant material was submitted to tests of phytochemical prospection, of purity and quantitative. There had been evidenced the presence of tannins, coumarins, resins, flavonoids, saponins and steroids. The content of total ashes was of 10,32% and 12,26%, insoluble in acid of 7,46% and 9,68%; the humidity of 9,92% and 9,50%. The flavonoids contents was of 1,20% and 1,48%; the tannins contents was of 9,89% and 13,96%. Because of the reduced number of samples, it was not possible to affirm through this study that the pharmacognostic profile de D. elliptica is influenced by abiotics factors.

Estudo farmacognóstico das raízes de Jacaranda decurrens Cham. (carobinha)

This work stablishes pharmacognostic parameters to Jacaranda decurrens Cham. roots, Bignoniaceae, known in the folk medicine as carobinha. Morphological and histological characteristics, phytochemical tests, ash and reducing sugars contents are descripted. The results showed steroids/triterpenes, sugars reducers, starch, mucilage and saponinas presence; the tenor of total ashes was of 2,21%, and insoluble in acid of 0,63%; the humidity of 6,42% and the tenor of sugars reducers was of 2,77%.