María N. Campagna

Novel micromorphological features of wood and bark of Argentinean Simaroubaceae

ABSTRACT Simaroubaceae is a family of about 22 genera and 100 species of mainly tropical and subtropical trees and shrubs and it is generally considered to be a heterogeneous group. In Argentina, Simaroubaceae is represented by three genera and four species, one of these is exotic: Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle while the other three are native: Castela coccinea Griseb., C. tweedii Planch. and Picrasma crenata (Vell.) Engl. Wood and bark anatomies of the Argentinean species were studied in an effort to find distinctive features for the genera and species within this family. Transverse, tangential and radial sections of the specimens were prepared and macerated according to conventional techniques; microscopic examination was performed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. It was possible to make a key for the species and genera using a combination of qualitative (presence/absence of wood growth rings, porosity, abundance of parenchyma, occurrence of crystals, etc.), and quantitative features (vessels per square millimetre, tangential diameter of vessel lumina, etc.). The wood and bark characteristics obtained provide new evidence of the heterogeneous nature of the family. From an ecological point of view, according to vessel size, vessel number, mesomorphy and vulnerability index, the wood of the studied species belonging to Castela genus were characterised as xeromorphic, while the other genera were characterised as mesomorphic.

Quality Control of Herbal Medicines with Spectrophotometry and Chemometric Techniques - Application to Baccharis L. Species Belonging to Sect - Caulopterae DC. (Asteraceae)

Medicinal plants constitute a rich cultural and biological heritage in many countries, which could be very useful in meeting the therapeutic needs of the population (Rodriguez, 2010a). Traditional herbal medicines have been widely used for many years in many eastern countries (Liang et al., 2004). However, little work has been done to validate and standardize these products properly in order to match phytotherapy to chemotherapy which currently receives almost unconditional support from formal systems of health care. For several years now activities have been undertaken to systematize the identification, validation, production and use of medicinal plants, for both primary health care as well as a semi-industrial or industrial process, which implies their transformation into safe, reliable and stable phytopharmaceutical products. Therefore it is suggested that medicinal plants and their derived products would be a viable option for national development as an agricultural and therapeutic alternative, but standardization and industrialization, involving sustained yields, a quality control system and honest and reliable marketing would be needed for widespread implementation and official support. Consequently, on account of the above, education and research should be in agreement if any advance is to be made in this area (Rodriguez, 2010a). However, the necessary criteria for data quality, safety and efficacy of traditional medicine that would support its use in the world do not exist. Appropriate, accepted research methodology for evaluating traditional medicine is also lacking (Liang et al., 2004).