Some species of the genus Miconia are used in Brazilian folk medicine as analgesic and anti-inflammatory; however, several species of this genus are still poorly studied. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate the phytochemistry characterization by UPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS/MS, acute toxicity, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of Miconia minutiflora (Bonpl.) DC. The methanol extract of M. minutiflora (Mm-MeOH) was subjected to ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS/MS) for the identification of the main phytocompounds. The anti-inflammatory properties of the extracts were studied using several inflammation models induced by carrageenan and acetic acid-induced vascular permeability. Antinociceptive effects of Mm-MeOH were assessed in nociception induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid or subplantar formalin injection. The role of α-adrenergic, cholinergic, and opioid receptors in modulating the extract's antinociceptive activity was determined. Analyses by UPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS/MS revealed the presence of ellagic acid, gallotannin, and terpenes in the methanol extract. Mm-MeOH (100 mg/kg) reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema and vascular permeability and inhibited leukocyte migration toward the air pouch and pleural cavity. Furthermore, Mm-MeOH decreased tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels. Administration of Mm-MeOH reduced the number of writhes by 58.9% and increased the pain threshold in the formalin test. The anti-inflammatory action mechanism of Mm-MeOH is associated with inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β, whereas the antinociceptive actions involve peripheral and central mechanisms with participation of α2-adrenergic receptors. These effects may be attributed to the presence of polyphenolics in the extract.

Resumo

Five new species of Ruellia from the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil are described: Ruellia curupira, R. fulozinha, R. insurrecta, R. jiboia, and R. taboleirana. Ruellia curupira (from the States of Alagoas and Bahia), R. fulozinha (Alagoas and Pernambuco), R. insurrecta (Alagoas), and R. jiboia (Alagoas and Bahia) occur exclusively in forested areas, whereas R. taboleirana is restricted to “Tabuleiros litorâneos” (Tabuleiro savanna) vegetation from Rio Grande do Norte to Alagoas. Due to the restricted distribution, resulting from high fragmented areas and the imminent threats, the five new species here proposed are provisionally considered under some degree of threat in accordance with the IUCN criteria. We provide morphological descriptions, comments on morphological affinities, data on habitat and distribution, as well as illustrations and photographs of living plants.

Until recently, Harpochilus (Acanthaceae) contained two morphologically distinct species, Harpochilus neesianus and H. phaeocarpus, from northeastern Brazil. During an analysis of herbarium collections, we found an undescribed species of Harpochilus from the Brazilian semiarid region. However, another group of botanists simultaneously discovered the species and described it as H. paraibanus. Harpochilus neesianus and H. paraibanus are similar due to their morphologically complex flowers specialized for bat pollination, nocturnal anthesis, and anthers with non-appendiculate thecae. Unlike H. neesianus and H. paraibanus, the floral morphology of H. phaeocarpus and Cyrtanthera citrina, a name used for several misidentified collections of H. paraibanus, is more similar to that of Justicia. Thus, these species are here combined under Justicia. We also provide additional information on the morphology, geographic distribution and conservation status of H. paraibanus, and propose lectotypes for Harpochilus, H. neesianus, and C. citrina.

Composição florística de um remanescente de mata ciliar na Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Cabelo, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil. Este estudo teve como objetivo conhecer a composição florística de um remanescente de mata ciliar no Rio Cabelo e o grau de similaridade entre outros remanescentes florestais da região metropolitana de João Pessoa. Foram identificadas 151 espécies, distribuídas em 123 gêneros, pertencentes a 63 famílias. A comparação florística evidenciou a acentuada heterogeneidade existente entre os fragmentos comparados e baixos índices de similaridade. Palavras-chave: Mata ciliar, Florística, Rio Cabelo

Abstract—To prepare for a revision of Guapira Aubl. in Brazil, this work proposes nomenclatural changes, typifications, and synonyms. We report twelve more species for the Brazilian flora, including the description of a new species, Guapira candanga, and resurrection of eleven names previously in synonymy. We rearrange the synonymy of some names, combine seven Pisonia species under Guapira, as G. apolinarii, G. cuneifolia, G. darwinii, G. florida, G. heterophylla, G. laurifolia, and G. platystemon, and designate lectotypes for four names.

Abstract—A synopsis of Dicliptera (Acanthaceae) for Brazil is presented. Six species are recognized: Dicliptera ciliaris, D. sexangularis, and D. squarrosa, widely distributed in South America; D. purpurascens, which ranges from the North Region of Brazil (in the state of Acre) to eastern Bolivia; D. gracilirama, a new species from the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil; and D. granchaquenha, a new species recorded in dry and semideciduous forests in Bolivia and western Brazil, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Furthermore, we propose new synonyms and designate lectotypes for eleven names. An identification key to the six accepted Dicliptera species in Brazil is provided.

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