The present study was undertaken to assess the potential uses of the essential oil obtained from Ocotea nutans (Nees) Mez. The hydrodistilled essential oil from O. nutans leaves was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Fifty-eight compounds representing 87,29% of the total leaf essential oil components were identified, of which biciclogermacrene(11.41%), germacrene-D (4.89%), bisabolol-11-ol(3.73%) and spathulenol (3.71%) were the major compounds. The essential oil from O. nutans were tested for antibacterial activity using the minimum inhibitory concentracion (MIC) method, Artemia salina method, larvicidal activity in Aedes aegypti, and antioxidant capacity.The antioxidant activity measured by the phosphomolybdenum complex and Prussian blue method had positive results. The minimum inhibitory concentration for the microorganisms tested allowed moderate inhibitionfor Enterococcus faecalis (MIC=500 µg/mL). Artemia salina were toxic to the organisms in the study (LC 50 = 71,70 μg /mL). The essential oil showed remarkable larvicidal activity potencial (LC 50 = 250 µg/mL). The present results showed that O. nutans essential oil has potential biological uses.

The essential oil composition of the Ocotea bicolor, native plant of Brazil, was studied for the first time. The essential oil of the leaf was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/MS. The analytical procedure revealed a predominance of sesquiterpenes, δ-cadinene (7.39%), β-sesquiphellandrene (6.67%), β-elemene (5.41%) and α-cadinol (5,23%). The essential oil was submitted to brine shrimp toxicity evaluation, antioxidant and antibacterial tests. The antioxidant activity by the formation of phosphomolybdenum complex method presented positive results. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were higher than 1000 μg/mL for the microorganisms tested. Toxicity activity revealed LC50 results of 40.10 (μg/mL), being toxic to the organisms in this study.

This study aimed to investigate the anatomy and histochemistry of Mollinedia clavigera leaves and stems through photonic microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Noteworthy features of leaves were: presence of paracytic stomata on both surfaces; simple as well as bifurcate non-glandular trichomes; prismatic calcium oxalate crystals; flat-convex midrib with a central and two dorsal bundles; concave-convex HIGHLIGHTS  This is the first report of the microscopic study of Mollinedia clavigera  Light microscopy, SEM, EDS and histochemistry analysis were made to support anatomical and chemical characteristics  Non-glandular unicellular, long uniseriate, and short bifurcate trichomes were observed • Prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate were observed on the surfaces of leaves Homem, I. C. M.; et al

Based on medicinal use of Dalbergia species, the present study aimed to evaluate D. brasiliensis leaves and barks crude extracts and fractions' antioxidant and phytotoxic potential, employing allelopathic essays and 3 antioxidant essays: Phosphomolybdenum complex reduction, DPPH free radical scavenging and TBARS (lipid peroxidation). Concerning Phosphomolybdenum complex reduction potential, leaves chloroform fraction (LCF) and barks ethyl acetate fraction (BEAF) overcame rutin's reduction potential in 90% and 23%. DPPH essay revealed leaves ethyl acetate fraction (LEAF) antioxidant potential (IC 50 de 40,629 µg/mL), given standards ascorbic acid (IC 50 = 4,503 µg/mL) and rutin (IC 50 = 7,330 µg/mL) activities. TBARS essay demonstrated that leaves hexane fraction (LHF) (51%) and barks ethyl acetate fraction (BEAF) (41%) stand out when compared to BHT antioxidant activity (54%). Regarding phytotoxicity, the lowest crude extracts and fractions concentration (250 µg/mL) employed were able to inhibit L. sativa and A. cepa primary root initial growth, specially leaves hexane fraction (LHF) and leaves chloroform fraction (LCF). Dalbergia brasiliensis fractions might function as stress inhibitors in oxidant systems and alter meristem cellular division, due to present substances' activity.

No abstract

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os parâmetros físico-químicos das folhas, caules e óleo essencial de folhas e avaliar o perfil fitoquímico dos extratos de folhas e caules de Mollinedia clavigera, pertencente à família Monimiaceae. Os parâmetros físico-químicos analisados foram perda por dessecação (4,1% para as folhas e 4,6% para os caules) e ensaio de cinzas totais (9,3% para as folhas e 3,9% para os caules). No ensaio sistemático fitoquímico foram encontrados flavonoides, alcaloides e saponinas nos caules, enquanto nas folhas verificou-se a presença de alcaloides, flavonoides, esteroides e triterpenos. Após hidrodestilação por arraste de vapor d’água das folhas em aparato de Clevenger, foi calculado o rendimento da extração do óleo essencial (1,18%). O óleo foi caracterizado como amarelo claro, translúcido, de odor forte e não agradável, apresentando densidade de 0,967 mg/mL, índice de refração de 1,5039, sendo considerado bastante solúvel em concentrações maiores de 90% de etanol.

The Brazilian native species Cestrum intermedium, known as mata-boi, induces hepatotoxicity and death when ingested by cattle. While most studies on this species focus on toxicological features, our study is the first to describe the anatomy and in vitro biological activities of Cestrum intermedium. We investigated adult leaves and stems by histochemistry, described their anatomy, performed physical-chemical analysis, determined in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and identified secondary metabolites. A few noteworthy anatomical features were the anomocytic stomata on the abaxial surface and the absence of trichomes, in addition to the circular shaped petiole with two projections on the adaxial surface. Histochemical analysis showed chemical markers such as alkaloids, usually reported as toxic, and terpenoids. Potassium nitrate (ATR-FTIR) and lupeol palmitate (NMR) were detected on the crude stem extract. Thermogravimetric and physical-chemical analysis provided fingerprint parameters for the species. Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assay revealed that Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Candida albicans were weakly inhibited by extract samples. Chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions presented high phenolic content, which resulted in in vitro antioxidant activity. These novel features expand the knowledge about this species, considering that previous studies mainly focused on its toxicity. Our study also provided characteristics that may help in avoiding misidentification between Cestrum members, especially when taxonomic keys cannot be employed, as in the absence of flowers and fruits.

No abstract