Zefa Valdivina Pereira

Antioxidant and Antihyperlipidemic Effects of Campomanesia adamantium O. Berg Root

Campomanesia adamantium O. Berg, popularly known as guavira, has been used in Brazilian traditional medicine for reduction of serum lipid. The present study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic effects of Campomanesia adamantium root aqueous extract (ExCA). Phenolic compounds were quantified in the ExCA and gallic and ellagic acids were identified by HPLC. ExCA showed efficiency in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging, with IC50 similar to butylhydroxytoluene control, and protected the erythrocytes against lipid peroxidation induced by 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride, reducing generated malondialdehyde. Hyperlipidemic Wistar rats treated daily by gavage during eight weeks with ExCA (200 mg/kg of body weight) showed reduced serum level of total cholesterol and triglycerides, similar to normolipidemic rats and hyperlipidemic rats treated with simvastatin (30 mg/kg of body weight) and ciprofibrate (2 mg/kg of body weight). Moreover, the treatment with ExCA also decreased malondialdehyde serum level in the hyperlipidemic rats. The body weight and organ mass were unmodified by ExCA in hyperlipidemic rats, except an increase of liver mass; however, the hepatic enzymes, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, were unchanged. Together, these results confirm the potential value of Campomanesia adamantium root for lowering lipid peroxidation and lipid serum level, improving risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases development.

Sensibilidade à dessecação e aoarmazenamento em sementes de Eugenia pyriformis Cambess. (uvaia)

This study aimed to evaluate the desiccation sensivity and storage and longevity behavior of uvaia seeds (Eugenia pyriformis Camb.). It was carried out with seeds from fruits collected at Amambai-MS city. To study the desiccation sensitivity, a protocol based on the dehydration level on each five percentage points reaching 45, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 and 5% seeds moisture contents was used. To study the longevity of seeds during storage were tested the following conditions of cold and dry chamber (16 ± 1C o / 40% UR), refrigerator (5 ± 1C o) and freezer (-18 ± 1 o C) for 30 days and seeds sown soon after processing constituted the control treatment. Seeds were sowed between sand at 20/30 oC at 10 h light/14 h darkness in B.O.D. Uvaia seeds are desiccation sensitivity and can not tolerate drying below 5% moisture content. The moisture content decrease caused the reduction on the fresh mass, primary root length, hypocotyls length and on the seedlings total length reduction as in the germination medium time. The fresh seeds presented approximately 77% germination and the 5% moisture content dehydration reduced the germination to 15%. The storage conditions under low temperatures and seeds dehydration reduced seed germination, thus indicating a recalcitrant behavior of uvaia seeds.

Antioxidant and Hypolipidemic Activity of the Hydroethanolic Extract of Curatella americana L. Leaves

High levels of reactive oxygen species in the body and hyperlipidemia are key factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. The present study investigated the antioxidant and hypolipidemic activity of hydroethanolic extract of Curatella americana L. leaves (ExC). The antioxidant activity of ExC was assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH) scavenging capacity and protection against hemolysis induced by 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), followed by quantification of malondialdehyde (MDA). Wistar rats with hyperlipidemia induced by high-fructose diet (60%) were treated for 60 days with water, simvastatin (30 mg·Kg−1), ciprofibrate (2 mg·Kg−1), and ExC (200 mg·Kg−1). ExC revealed IC50 of 6.0 ± 0.5 μg·mL−1, an intermediary value among positive controls used in the assay of DPPH scavenging capacity. At all concentrations (50 to 125 μg·mL−1) and times (60 to 240 min) evaluated, ExC protected erythrocytes against AAPH-induced hemolysis, which was confirmed by lower MDA levels. In vivo tests showed a reduction of 34 and 45%, respectively, in serum concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides in hyperlipidemic rats treated with ExC, a similar effect compared to the reference drugs, simvastatin and ciprofibrate, respectively. Together, the results showed the antioxidant activity of ExC and its ability to improve the serum lipid profile in hyperlipidemic rats.

Emergência de plântulas e crescimento de mudas de jatobá com uso de bioestimulante e sombreamento

Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar a emergencia e o crescimento inicial de mudas de jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril. L) tratadas com bioestimulante vegetal (Stimulate®) e sob sombreamento. Apos escarificacao, as sementes foram tratadas com o bioestimulante nas doses de 15, 25 e 35 mL para cada 0,5 kg de sementes alem da testemunha e a semeadura foi efetuada em bandejas de celula, contendo terra + areia + plantimax® na proporcao de 1:1:1 (v:v). Foram avaliados a porcentagem de emergencia e indice de velocidade de emergencia, diâmetro, area foliar, altura da parte aerea e comprimento da raiz, massa seca de folhas, raiz e total, relacao da massa seca da parte aerea/raiz, relacao parte aerea/diâmetro, indice de qualidade de Dickson. As plântulas foram transplantadas aos 100 dias apos a semeadura, para sacos de polietileno, de 10 x 20 cm, contendo o mesmo substrato e mantidas sob 50 e 30% de luz e pleno sol. Foram avaliados a altura, diâmetro e clorofila aos 162, 178, 194, 210 e 226 dias apos a semeadura e a taxa fotossintetica, transpiratoria e condutância estomatica aos 226 dias apos a semeadura. As doses utilizadas de bioestimulante proporcionaram inibicao na germinacao e no crescimento. A emergencia foi maior sem o emprego de bioestimulante. Os maiores teores de clorofila foram observados em condicoes de 30% de luz, a menor fotossintese a pleno sol. O bioestimulante nas doses mais elevadas, inibiu processos metabolicos, levando a um menor crescimento das mudas que, nessa fase inicial, podem ser cultivadas em condicoes de sombreamento.

Floral biology of Tropaeolum majus L. (Tropaeolaceae) and its relation with Astylus variegatus activity (Germar 1824) (Coleoptera: Melyridae)

Tropaeolum majus L. (nasturtium) is a culture popularly known by its medicinal, ornamental and culinary utility. This work aimed to evaluate the interaction between Astylus variegatus (Germar 1824) (Coleoptera: Melyridae) and the nasturtium flowers associated to the weeks of flourishing, in order to conceive the floral mechanims used by the species to attract A. variegatus. The insects collection was achieved with an entomologic net by the sweeping method, during the weekly flowering, at two hours, from 7am to 5pm. The studies of floral biology were carried out in twenty flowers by the analysis of measures and the arrangement of the floral parts. The nasturtium flower offers pollen and nectar to the insect as a compensation. However, it was observed that A. variegatus only collects pollen as a nutritious resource. Tropaeolum majus presents several flowers for each individual and, during the visits, A. variegatus walked throughout the interior of the flower, among the stamens and contacting the ventral region of its body, and while passing through the stigma it lodged the pollen. Sometimes, it uses the internal cavity for sheltering and mating. The visits occurred preferably on the second and fifth weeks of flourishing, with a populational fluctuation between 9am and 11am.

Rubiaceae Juss. do Parque Estadual das Várzeas do Rio Ivinhema, MS, Brasil

Rubiaceae Juss. of Parque Estadual das Varzeas do Rio Ivinhema, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil). This study aimed to identify genera and species of Rubiaceae occurring in the Parque Estadual das Varzeas do Rio Ivinhema, located in the Parana river basin, between the coordinates 22K 0226719 UTM 7463768. Samples were collected monthly from September 2003 to October 2006. We found 45 species distributed in 24 genera. The most representative genera are Psychotria (10 species), Palicourea (4), and Borreria (3), followed by Alibertia, Chomelia, Coccocypselum, Coussarea, Diodela, Galianthe and Guettarda (2). Most of the species have a wide geographical distribution, however, for some species, such as Borreria flavovirens , Chomelia brasiliana, Psychotria anceps and Psychotria brachybotrya, this is the first record for Mato Grosso do Sul State.

ANÁLISE FITOGEOGRÁFICA DA FLORA ARBUSTIVO-ARBÓREA EM ECÓTONO NO PLANALTO DA BODOQUENA, MS, BRASIL

Setting priorities in the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems refers to the need for knowledge about the diversity of environments, especially in the Cerrado biome and its floristic transition zones, already in high stage of degradation. With this scenario, this study aimed to carry out a floristic inventory of a forest fragment on ecological tension in Bodoquena Plateau, MS, Brazil, and assess their phytogeographical relationships with other surveys of seasonal forests and savannas in the Midwest and Southeast regions of Brazil. For this, 102 contiguous plots of 10x10 m (100 m 2 ) were sampled. The inclusion criterion was the perimeter at breast height (PBH) ≥ 15 cm. For floristic similarity analysis, the coefficient of Sorensen was applied, adopting the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA), with the determination of the level of similarity of 26 floristic lists. Of the 96 species occurring in this survey, 91 were identified at species level, and of these, 80.2% (73) were found in one or more studies of the analyzed areas with higher occurrence in seasonal deciduous forest (SDF) (54), followed by seasonal semideciduous forest (SSF) (47) and forested savannah (46). The results showed clustering of the study area with the FED of Minas Gerais in level of 30%, revealing low similarity. Due to low floristic similarity between the analyzed areas, these are characterized by their high beta diversity.

SUBSTRATOS E NÍVEIS DE LUMINOSIDADE NO CRESCIMENTO INICIAL DE MUDAS DE Tocoyena formosa(Cham. & Schltdl.) K. Schum. (RUBIACEAE)

Objetivou-se determinar o tipo de substrato e as melhores condicoes de luminosidade para o cultivo de mudas de Tocoyena formosa (Cham. & Schltdl.) K. Schum. A semeadura ocorreu em bandejas de isopor sob sombrite de 70% e tres meses apos a emergencia, as plântulas foram selecionadas e em seguida transplantadas em vasos de 4L, em dois tipos de substratos: 50% de solo Latossolo Vermelho Distroferrico + 50% de areia (TA) e 50% de solo de Latossolo Vermelho Distroferrico + 25% de areia + 25% de cama de frango semidecomposta (TACF). Apos o transplante, as mudas foram levadas para tres condicoes de sombreamento (30%, 50% e 70% de sombra) e a pleno sol (0%). Apos a aclimatacao, a qualidade siologica das mudas foi determinada mensalmente, atraves da analise de crescimento e do indice de qualidade de Dickson, durante 90 dias. O experimento foi realizado em DIC em esquema fatorial 2 x 4 x 4 (substratos x sombreamento x idade da muda), com tres repeticoes de tres mudas. Foi observado maior crescimento e qualidade das mudas em substrato terra + areia + cama de frango e nas condicoes de 30% de sombra e pleno sol. Conclui-se que para producao de mudas de Tocoyena formosa a melhor condicao de luminosidade e 30% de sombra e em pleno sol em substrato TACF.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, AND FREE-RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITIES OF Guettarda viburnoides CHAM. & SCHLTDL. (RUBIACEAE)

Chemical investigation of Guettarda viburnoides (leaves) led to the isolation of ursolic acid, uncaric acid, secoxyloganin, and grandifloroside, along with a mixture of quercetin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside and quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, and of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of their NMR data. The crude extract, ethyl acetate fraction, aqueous-methanol fraction, and grandifloroside showed significant DPPH free-radical scavenging activities with IC50 ranging from 18.92 to 26.47 µg mL-1. The topical administration of the crude extract and fractions markedly reduced the croton oil-induced mice ear edema in 67.0%-99.0%. Inhibition of tissue MPO activity was also observed, which demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect of the G. viburnoides species.