Tânia Regina dos Santos Silva

Antimicrobial activity of Marcetia DC species (Melastomataceae) and analysis of its flavonoids by reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography coupled-diode array detector.

Background: Marcetia genera currently comprises 29 species, with approximately 90% inhabiting Bahia (Brazil), and most are endemic to the highlands of the Chapada Diamantina (Bahia). Among the species, only M. taxifolia (A.St.-Hil.) DC. populates Brazil (state of Roraima to Paraná) and also Venezuela, Colombia, and Guyana. Objective: This work evaluated the antimicrobial activity of hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts of three species of Marcetia (Marcetia canescens Naud., M. macrophylla Wurdack, and M. taxifolia A.StHil) against several microorganism. In addition, the flavonoids were analyzed in extracts by HPLC-DAD. Materials and methods: The tests were made using Gram-positive (three strains of Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (two strains of Escherichia coli, a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and another of Salmonella choleraesius) bacteria resistant and nonresistant to antibiotics and yeasts (two strains of Candida albicans and one of C. parapsilosis) by the disk diffusion method. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) was performed on the above extracts to isolate flavonoids, which were subsequently analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Results: Results showed that extracts inhibited the Gram-positive bacteria and yeast. The hexane extracts possessed the lowest activity, while the ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts were more active. Conclusion: Marcetia taxifolia was more effective (active against 10 microorganisms studied), and only its methanol extract inhibited Gram-negative bacteria (P. aeruginosa and S. choleraesius). SPE and HPLC-DAD analysis showed that M. canescens and M. macrophylla contain glycosylated flavonoids, while the majority of extracts from M. taxifolia were aglycone flavonoids.

A New Species of Cordia (Cordiaceae, Boraginales) from Brazil

Abstract A new species from Brazil, Cordia pilosa M. Stapf & Taroda (Cordiaceae), is described from northeastern Brazil. Illustrations and data on habitat, distribution, and phenology are provided. The new species belongs to Cordia sect. Superbiflorae Taroda, and it is distinguished from similar species in section Superbiflorae by its compact inflorescences and the pilose indument on the twigs, leaves, and inflorescence axes.

Chemical composition and pharmacological properties of the essential oils obtained seasonally from Lippia thymoides.

Abstract Context: Lippia thymoides Mart. & Schauer (Verbenaceae) is used in folk medicine to treat wounds, fever, bronchitis, rheumatism, headaches, and weakness. Objective: This study determinates the chemical composition of essential oils from L. thymoides, obtained at during each of the four seasons and correlates with pharmacological properties. Materials and methods: Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging and β-carotene bleaching methods. The antimicrobial assays were performed by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum microbicidal concentration (MMC) methods. Isolated rat aorta and uterus, and guinea-pig trachea were utilized to evaluate relaxant potential in pre-contracted smooth muscle. Results and discussion: Essential oils from leaves of L. thymoides had the sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene (17.22–26.27%) as the major constituent followed by borneol (4.45–7.36%), camphor (3.22–8.61%), camphene (2.64–5.66%), and germacrene D (4.72–6.18%). In vitro assays showed that these essential oils do not have antioxidant activity, have antimicrobial selectivity to Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 0.004 mg/mL and MMC = 0.26–10.19 mg/mL) and Micrococcus luteus (MIC = 0.03 mg/mL and MMC = 8.43 mg/mL), relax isolated rat aorta (EC50 = 305–544 μg/mL, with endothelium; and EC50 = 150–283 μg/mL, without endothelium), and uterus (EC50 = 74–257 μg/mL), and minor potency, isolated guinea-pig trachea. Conclusions: Lippia thymoides is a source of natural products of pharmaceutical interest, being necessary additional studies to determine the substances involved in the biological activities.

Antimicrobial Activity of Lippia Species from the Brazilian Semiarid Region Traditionally Used as Antiseptic and Anti-Infective Agents

Lippia origanoides Kunth, Lippia alnifolia Schauer, and Lippia thymoides Martius and Schauer are shrubs used in the traditional Brazilian medicine as antiseptics, as well as in the treatment of infectious diseases. This study was designed to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal activities of the methanolic extracts of these species, as new potential sources of antimicrobial drugs. The antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts was investigated against resistant yeasts and bacteria by agar disk diffusion. Then, the MIC determination of the most active species and its fractions in hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and water was performed. By the agar diffusion assay, all species were active against at least two microorganisms, giving evidence to support their use in the popular medicine. L. origanoides leaves exhibited the widest antimicrobial action, inhibiting the growth of two Gram-positive bacteria and two yeasts; this activity was also confirmed by the MIC evaluation. The fractionation of L. origanoides crude extracts improved the activity in spectrum and intensity. The results obtained in this study indicate that L. origanoides may be a promising alternative in the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections and in the seeking of new antimicrobial drugs.

Four new species of genus Cordia (Cordiaceae, Boraginales) from Brazil

We describe four new species of Cordia (Cordiaceae) from Brazil: Cordia fusca, C. glabrifolia, C. restingae, and C. tarodae. These are illustrated, and data on habitat, phenology, and distribution are provided.ResumenCordia fusca, C. glabrifolia, C. restingae y C. tarodae son descritas como nuevas especies de Brasil. Todas las especies son ilustradas y datos sobre hábitat, fenología y distribución son mostrados.

Caracterização morfoanatômica de folhas e caules de Microlicia hatschbachii Wurdack, Melastomataceae

Este trabalho apresenta o estudo morfoanatomico das folhas e caules de Microlicia hatschbachii Wurdack, Melastomataceae. Esta especie possui folhas elipticas a oval-elipticas, margem inteira, apice agudo e base simetrica e arredondada. A lâmina foliar e anfiestomatica, com estomatos do tipo anisocitico e anomocitico, a epiderme e uniestratificada, com celulas isodiametricas em seccao transversal, e presenca de inumeros tricomas glandulares. O mesofilo e do tipo isobilateral com feixe vascular bicolateral envolvido por algumas celulas esclerenquimaticas na nervura central. O caule tem seccao quadrangular a circular e epiderme unisseriada, com tricomas similares aos da folha. Drusas de oxalato de calcio foram encontradas nas folhas e no caule.

Two New Species of Marcetia (Melastomataceae) from the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil

Abstract Two new species of Marcetia ( Marcetia paganuccii and M. cardosoana ) are described and compared with their closely related species. The two new species were found exclusively in mountainous areas of the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil. Illustrations, distribution maps, conservation status and SEM photographs of leaves and seeds for both species are provided.

Marcetia candolleana (Melastomeae – Melastomataceae), a new species from Bahia (Brazil)

SummaryMarcetia candolleana A. K. A. Santos & A. B. Martins, is apparently restricted to Mucugê, Bahia (Brazil), where it occurs in areas of campo rupestre vegetation. This new species is closely related to the sympatric M. mucugensis Wurdack, but can be easily recognised by its semi-prostate to procumbent habit, reddish glandular-hirsute indument, loose and flexuous branches, leaves with inconspicuous reticulation on the abaxial surface, connectives very shortly prolonged below the thecae, style curved towards the apex, not exceeding the anthers, and pendulous fruit.ResumoMarcetia candolleana A. K. A. Santos & A. B. Martins, é aparentemente restrita a Mucugê, Bahia (Brasil), onde ocorre em áreas de campo rupestre. Esta nova espécie é proximamente relacionada à M. mucugensis Wurdack, mas pode ser facilmente reconhecida por seu hábito semi-prostado a procumbente, indumento glandular-hirsuto, vináceo, ramos flexuosos, folhas inconspicuamente reticuladas na face abaxial, conectivos muito curtamente prolongados abaixo das tecas, estilete curvo no ápice, não ultrapassando o comprimento das anteras, e fruto pêndulo.

Pharmacological Basis for Traditional Use of the Lippia thymoides

The aim of this study was to evaluate crude extracts and fractions from leaves and stems of Lippia thymoides and to validate their use in folk medicine. In vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and in vivo wound healing in rats, baker yeast-induced fever in young rats, and acute oral toxicity in mice assays were realized. The crude extracts and their dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions had potent radical-scavenging activity against the DPPH but were not effective in the β-carotene bleaching method. The dichloromethane fraction from the leaves extract showed the broadest spectrum of activity against S. aureus, B. cereus, and C. parapsilosis. The animals treated with crude extracts showed no difference in wound healing when compared with the negative control group. The crude extract from leaves (1200 mg/kg) has equal efficacy in reducing temperature in rats with hyperpyrexia compared to dipyrone (240 mg/kg) and is better than paracetamol (150 mg/kg). In acute toxicity test, crude extract of leaves from Lippia thymoides exhibited no mortality and behavioral changes and no adverse effects in male and female mice. This work validates the popular use of Lippia thymoides for treating the wound and fever, providing a source for biologically active substances.

The flavonol calycopterin from the antimicrobial ethyl acetate extract of Marcetia latifolia

0009-3130/12/4803-0474 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 1) Departamento de Saude, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, 44036-900, Feira de Santana, Brazil, fax: +55 75 32248159, e-mail: branco@uefs.br; 2) Instituto de Quimica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 32045-000, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 3) Departamento de CienciasBiologicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, 45662-900, Ilheus, Brazil; 4) Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, 44036-900, Feira de Santana, Brazil. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, May–June, 2012, pp. 427–428. Original article submitted January 27, 2011. Chemistry of Natural Compounds, Vol. 48, No. 3, July, 2012 [Russian original No. 3, May–June, 2012]