Some pharmaceutical industries of phytomedicines are using conservation procedures (drying, autoclaving), in an attempt to avoid medicinal plants degradation, and of their fluid-extracts. Or, by adopting techniques adequate to foods, which not always are appropriate. On this sense, there is less research with Brazilian plants, causing some difficulties for their use as raw material by the domestic industry. Thus, the effects of drying at various temperatures or irradiation with microwaves, as well as autoclaving or lyophilization of the fluid-extract of samples collected in natura of Echinodorus macrophyllus (Kunth) Micheli, Alismataceae, on the pharmacochemical composition were analyzed. At the research for chemical groups, the preponderating presence of flavones and coumarin derivatives was observed. The chromatographic profiles of the flavonic extracts were analyzed by TLC and HPLC and the levels of total flavonoids were determined. According to the results obtained, qualitative and quantitative changes were caused by the various processes employed.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a composição dos açúcares, ácidos orgânicos e minerais do fruto inteiro e frações (casca, polpa e semente) dos genótipos de jabuticabeira Paulista (Plinia cauliflora) e Sabará (P. jaboticaba), assim como a composição do óleo das cascas e sementes. As frutas apresentaram elevados teores de açúcares totais, destacando-se a frutose, seguida de glicose e sacarose. No genótipo Paulista, foram encontrados teores mais elevados de açúcares totais e redutores na polpa e na casca, o que não foi observado ao comparar os frutos inteiros dos dois genótipos. Foram encontrados cinco ácidos orgânicos na seguinte ordem quantitativa: ácido cítrico > ácido succínico > ácido málico > ácido oxálico > ácido acético. Potássio foi o mineral mais abundante encontrado. A fruta mostrou também ser rica em magnésio, fósforo, cálcio e cobre. O óleo das sementes mostrou ter praticamente a mesma constituição do óleo extraído das cascas, e os compostos majoritários foram um fitosterol não identificado, os ácidos palmítico, linoleico e oleico e o esqualeno.

The aim of this work was to determine the sugar, organic acid and mineral compositions of the whole fruit and fractions (skin, pulp and seed) of the Paulista (Plinia cauliflora) and Sabará (Plinia jaboticaba) jabuticaba tree genotypes, as well as the oil compositions of their skin and seeds. High levels of sugar, especially fructose, followed by glucose and sucrose, were encountered in the fruit. In the Paulista genotype, higher levels of total and reducing sugars were found in the pulp and skin, which was not observed when comparing the whole fruit of both genotypes. Five organic acids were found in the whole fruit and in the fractions of the two jabuticaba genotypes in quantitative order: citric acid > succinic acid > malic acid > oxalic acid > acetic acid. Potassium was the most abundant mineral found. This fruit was also shown to be rich in magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and copper. The seed oil had nearly the same constitution as the oil extracted from the skin in both genotypes and the major compounds were an unidentified phytosterol, palmitic, linoleic and oleic acids, and squalene.

A poaia ou ipeca (Psychotria ipecacuanha (Brot.) Stokes.-Rubiaceae) apesar de seu valor farmacológico e sócio-econômico é cada vez menos freqüente no seu habitat. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar o estudo comparativo dos aspectos morfoanatômicos entre a espécie originária da Amazônia Brasileira e a obtida in vitro submetidas a diferentes tratamentos de interceptação de radiação solar, visando, desta forma, dar suporte a estudos com fins de preservação, cultivo, validação farmacognóstica/farmacopéica e ampliar o conhecimento biotecnológico desta espécie. A espécie nativa foi obtida de fragmento de mata (fase vegetativa) e empregada para micropropagação através do cultivo in vitro de fragmentos de segmentos internodais sobre meio de cultivo Murashige & Skoog com o regulador de crescimento BAP (2,0 mg/l de meio). Obtiveram-se plântulas que foram transferidas para casa de vegetação por 2 anos sob dois tipos de ambiente e três diferentes tratamentos de interceptação da radiação solar. Foi feito o estudo morfoanatômico, analisado estatisticamente. Verifica-se que as plantas originadas por processo biotecnológico e submetidas aos diferentes tratamentos apresentam morfologia semelhante à planta nativa, no entanto constatou-se um maior número de raízes secundárias, não há diferença significativa entre larguras e comprimentos de folhas, comprimento de raízes, estípulas, peso de raízes e rizomas. Mas, observou-se diferença estatística no comprimento do caule em relação à nativa.

The poaia or ipeca (Psychotria ipecacuanha (Brot.) Stokes.-Rubiaceae) although its farmacological and partner-economic value is each less frequent time in its habitat. The objective of this work was to carry through the comparative study of the morpho-anatomics aspects between the originary species of the Brazilian Amazônia and gotten in vitro submitted the different treatments of interception of solar radiation, aiming at, of this form, to give has supported the studies with preservation ends, culture, pharmacognostic/pharmacopeic validation and to extend the biotechnological knowledge of this species. The native species was gotten of breaks up of bush (phase vegetative) and used for micropropagation through the culture in vitro of fragments of internodais segments on way of culture Murashige & Skoog with the plant growth regulator BAP (2.0 mg/l growth). Plantlet was gotten that they had been transferred to house of vegetation per 2 years under two types of environment and three different treatments of interception of the solar radiation. The morpho-anatomic study was made, statistics analyzed. And is verified that the plants originated for biotechnological process and submitted to the different treatments present similar morphology to the native plant, however evidenced a bigger number of secondary roots, does not have significant difference between widths and lengths of leaves, length of roots, internodais, stipules, weight of roots and rhizomes. But, difference was observed statistics in the length of stem in relation to the native.

Jabuticaba, Myrciaria cauliflora Berg, is a native Brazilian fruit; very little is known about the chemistry of its components, specially the bioactives compounds. The purpose of this paper was to determine the centesimal composition and some bioactives compounds of the whole fruit and fractions of two varieties of jabuticaba (Paulista and Sabará). The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design on a 4 x 2 x 3 factorial scheme (4 factors: whole fruit, skin, pulp and seed; 2 varieties: Paulista e Sabará, and 3 replicates). The fruits were sampled, selected, weighted, sanitized and fractionated into whole fruit, skin, pulp and seed that were grinded, frozen and lyophilized to a constant weight. Protein contents and of ether extract were low for all fractions. The ash contents indicate elevated levels of minerals, specially on the Sabará variety. The content of alimentary fibers differed widely among fractions, with no differences between varieties. The skin fractions presented the highest levels of fiber, 33.80 g/100g on Paulista and 33.23 g/100g on Sabará, most of it was insoluble fibers. The greatest amount of non nitrogen extract was found in the pulp fraction, while the lowest was found in the skin, with no differences between varieties. Regarding bioactives compounds, only polyphenols were presented at considerable levels in all the fractions but the pulp one, showing the need for better characterization before using the fruit in the food industry.

A jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora Berg) é uma fruta nativa brasileira e pouco se conhece sobre os constituintes químicos nas diversas partes do fruto, principalmente, em relação aos compostos bioativos. Este trabalho teve por objetivo determinar a composição centesimal e alguns compostos bioativos no fruto inteiro e nas frações da jabuticaba de duas variedades (Paulista e Sabará). O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 4 x 2 x 3, sendo 4 fatores, fruto inteiro, casca, polpa e semente; 2 variedades de jabuticabas e 3 repetições. Os frutos foram colhidos, selecionados, pesados, sanitizados, separados em fruto inteiro, casca, polpa e semente, que foram triturados, congelados e liofilizados até peso constante. Os teores de proteína bruta e extrato etéreo foram baixos. Os teores de cinzas não variaram entre as frações, exceto para as cascas da variedade Sabará que apresentaram os maiores teores. As fibras alimentares apresentaram diferença significativa entre as frações, não variando entre as duas variedades. As cascas apresentaram os maiores teores: 33,80 g/100g na Paulista e 33,23 g/100g na Sabará, sendo o maior percentual de fibras insolúveis. O maior teor de extrato não nitrogenado foi encontrado na polpa e o menor na casca, não se diferenciando entre as variedades. Quanto aos compostos bioativos, foram analisados saponinas, ácido oxálico, inibidor de tripsina, polifenóis e lectinas. Destes apenas os polifenóis nas frações casca apresentaram níveis elevados, necessitando de caracterizá-los, a fim de se verificar se o fruto é seguro para ser usado na indústria alimentícia.

A Echinodorus macrophyllus (Kunth) Micheli - Alismataceae, conhecida como chapéu-de-couro, chá-mineiro, erva-de-pantâno, erva-de-bugre, congonha-do-brejo e erva-do-brejo, ocorre em Minas Gerais e São Paulo. Embora tenha importância terapêutica, comercial e estar inscrita nas duas primeiras edições da Farmacopéia Brasileira (1924, 1959), são poucos os estudos que a contemplam. Este presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a morfoanatomia foliar e do pecíolo da E. macrophyllus, a fim de ampliar o seu conhecimento farmacognóstico, visando o controle de qualidade. A descrição macroscópica foi realizada à vista desarmada, com recursos óticos e as dimensões, com paquímetro. As características anatômicas foram determinadas, após a colheita, nos fragmentos de folhas e pecíolos fixos, seccionados à mão livre e fixados em glicerina, azul-de-astra ou fucsina. O estudo morfo-anatômico da folha e do pecíolo da E. macrophyllus contribuiu para ampliar e aprofundar as informações contidas nas Farmacopéias Brasileiras (1924, 1959). As características estruturais assinaladas auxiliam na identificação da espécie e fornece parâmetros que poderão ser aplicados futuramente no controle de qualidade farmacognóstico. E, inseriu no contexto da descrição anatômica, a presença de pêlos tectores e de células diafragmáticas, estruturas chaves no diagnóstico da espécie, não descritas pelas Farmacopéias Brasileiras (1929, 1959).

Echinodorus macrophyllus (Kunth) Micheli - Alismataceae, known as "chapéu-de-couro", "chá-mineiro", "erva-de-pântano", "erva-de-bugre", "congonha-do-brejo", "erva-do-brejo", occurs in Minas Gerais and São Paulo. Although it has therapeutic and commercial importance and is described in the two first editions of the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia (1924, 1959), there are few studies that contemplate it. This present work had the objective to study the leaf and petiole morpho-anatomy of A. macrophyllus, in order to extend its pharmacognosy knowledge, aiming at the quality control. The macroscopic description was carried through disarmed sight, with optical resources and the dimensions with a caliper. The anatomical c haracteristics had been determined, after the harvest, in the fragments of leaves and fixed petioles, freehand sectioned and stained either in glycerin, astra-blue or fuchsine. The morpho-anatomical study of the leaf and petiole of A. macrophyllust contributed to extend and deepen the information contained in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia (1924, 1959). The designated structural characteristics assist in the identification of the species and supply parameters that could be applied in the pharmacognosy quality control in the future. And, the presence of non-glandular trichomes in the midribs (adaxial and abaxial surface) and the petiole exhibits diaphragm (specialized cells), key structures in the diagnosis of the species, that are not described in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia (1924, 1959), were inserted in the context of the anatomical description.

The horizontal transfer of Trypanosoma cruzi mitochondrial minicircle DNA to the genomes of naturally infected humans may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Chagas disease. Minicircle integrations within LINE-1 elements create the potential for foreign DNA mobility within the host genome via the machinery associated with this retrotransposon. Here we document integration of minicircle DNA fragments in clonal human macrophage cell lines and their mobilization over time. The movement of an integration event in a clonal transfected cell line was tracked at three months and three years post-infection. The minicircle sequence integrated into a LINE-1 retrotransposon; one such foreign fragment subsequently relocated to another genomic location in association with associated LINE-1 elements. The p15 locus was altered at three years as a direct effect of minicircle/LINE-1 acquisition, resulting in elimination of p15 mRNA. Here we show for the first time a molecular pathology stemming from mobilization of a kDNA/LINE-1 mutation. These genomic changes and detected transcript variations are consistent with our hypothesis that minicircle integration is a causal component of parasite-independent, autoimmune-driven lesions seen in the heart and other target tissues associated with Chagas disease.

Stylosanthes macrocephala M. B. Ferr. et S. Costa é uma leguminosa utilizada sob consorciação em pastagens, adubação e recuperação de áreas degradadas. A falta de características morfológicas e agronômicas estáveis e de informações ecogeográficas dos locais de coleta dos acessos tem dificultado o melhoramento genético da espécie. A fim de obter descritores ecológicos, moleculares e avaliar a variabilidade genética da coleção de S. macrocephala, 87 acessos foram analisados com o auxílio do Sistema de Informações Geográficas (SIG) e de marcadores moleculares RAPD. Os acessos provieram de sete Estados, cinco bacias hidrográficas, sete tipos de vegetação e sete tipos de solos. As altitudes dos locais de coleta variaram de 1 a 1.298 m e a pluviometria anual média de 550 a 2.870 mm. A variabilidade de descritores ecológicos sugeriu diversidade adaptativa na coleção. Com base em 161 marcadores RAPD, verificou-se que as distâncias genéticas entre os acessos de S. macrocephala variaram entre 0,02 e 0,42. Com base nessas distâncias, dez grupos de similaridade genética foram estabelecidos. Observou-se tendência de separação por bacias hidrográficas e elevada variabilidade genética entre os acessos coletados nos estados da Bahia e de Minas Gerais. A alta variabilidade genética da coleção de S. macrocephala evidencia a importância desses acessos para futuros trabalhos de melhoramento genético.

Stylosanthes macrocephala M. B. Ferr et S. Costa is a leguminous species used as forage, cover crop and as a pioneer plant to recover degraded areas. Inexistence of stable morphological descriptors and lack of ecogeographic information about collecting sites bring difficulties to the studies of this species. The objective of this work was to use the geographic information system (GIS) and RAPD markers to obtain ecological and molecular descriptors and to study the genetic variability of 87 S. macrocephala accessions. The accessions were collected from different ecogeographical areas in seven Brazilian States, five hydrographic regions, seven vegetation types and seven soil types. Collecting sites ranged from 1 to 1,298 m above sea level with annual rainfall from 550 to 2,870 mm. Accession distribution along those diverse ecosystems indicate high adaptive diversity. Using 161 RAPD markers, genetic distances between accessions ranged from 0.02 to 0.42. These genetic distances allowed the establishment of ten genetic groups. Accessions collected in specific hydrographic region tended to be grouped in the same genetic group. Accessions collected in Bahia and Minas Gerais States showed high genetic variability. The high genetic variability observed in the accessions showed the importance of this S. macrocephala collection for breeding programs.

Integration of kDNA sequences within the genome of the host cell shown by PCR amplification with primers to the conserved Trypanosoma cruzi kDNA minicircle sequence was confirmed by Southern hybridization with specific probes. The cells containing the integrated kDNA sequences were then perpetuated as transfected macrophage subclonal lines. The kDNA transfected macrophages expressed membrane antigens that were recognized by antibodies in a panel of sera from ten patients with chronic Chagas disease. These antigens barely expressed in the membrane of uninfected, control macrophage clonal lines were recognized neither by factors in the control, non-chagasic subjects nor in the chagasic sera. This finding suggests the presence of an autoimmune antibody in the chagasic sera that recognizes auto-antigens in the membrane of T. cruzi kDNA transfected macrophage subclonal lines.