Abstract 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 petiole with a single vascular bundle in open archh. Stems were cylindrical and showed prismatic and styloid crystals in the pith. Histochemical analysis detected lipophilic and phenolic compounds, starch grains and lignified elements such as brachysclereids and fibers. These features may assist in future identifications and quality control of M. clavigera, avoid misidentification between other genus members, once species and genus studies are scarce.

ABSTRACT Bananas and plantains are herbaceous monocotyledonous plants belonging to the genus Musa, Musaceae, which has a widespread distribution around the world. Various parts of banana plant are commonly used in traditional medicines. Several species of Musa are reported to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic and antidiabetic properties. This work is aimed at studying the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the inflorescences of Musa × paradisiaca L., that could contribute to the characterization of these species cultivated in Brazil. Plant materials were collected and prepared in accordance with standard optical microscopy techniques. Morphological characterizations were conducted using morphological descriptors for inflorescences, including some descriptors from International Plant Genetic Resources Institute for Musa spp. Microscope slides were prepared using glycol-methacrylate and were stained in toluidine blue. Main features observed for M. × paradisiaca inflorescence were amphistomatic bracts with tetracytic stomata, fiber caps next to the phloem, adaxial and abaxial uniseriate epidermis, and papillose on the abaxial face. Outer tepals have multilayer epidermis and vascular bundles aligned next to the abaxial face. Free tepal has unilayeredepidermis. Anthers are tetrasporangiate and the locules are separated by the septum. Ovary is inferior and trilocular with external unilayered and internal epidermis. The main morpho-anatomical characteristics of inflorescence of Musa × paradisiaca are highlighted in this study, contributing to provide more information about the characterization of this species cultivated in Brazil.

Abstract The present work investigates the leaf and stem anatomy, chemical composition and insecticidal activities (against Cimex lectularius Linnaeus, 1758) of the volatile oils of Schinus molle L., Anacardiaceae, a Brazilian native traditional medicinal plant. Noteworthy micro-morphological features that can help in the identification and quality control of the species include the presence of isobilateral and amphistomatic leaves, anomocytic and cyclocytic stomata, capitate glandular and conical non-glandular trichomes, large secretory ducts in the midrib, presence of druses and prismatic crystals, and the petiole vascular system comprising of five vascular bundles arranged in U-shape and an additional dorsal bundle. The major components of the volatile oil include β-pinene (14.7%), α-pinene (14.1%), limonene (9.4%) and muurolol (11.8%). Insecticidal activities of the volatile oil against bed bugs were investigated for the first time; strong toxicity by fumigation with the volatile oil of S. molle was observed and reported herein.

ABSTRACT Fadogia agrestis Schweinf. ex Hiern (Vangueria agrestis (Schweinf. ex Hiern) Lantz), Rubiaceae, is an African traditional medicinal plant also used as a dietary supplement in the US. The present paper is the first report of the pharmacognostic study of the leaf, stem and root of F. agrestis by microscopy, HPTLC and total phenolic/flavonoid content analyses. Noteworthy microscopic features that can help in identification and quality control are septate and lignified non-glandular trichomes on leaf and stem epidermises, paracytic stomata on leaf abaxial epidermis, numerous cells containing yellow substances of presumably phenolic compounds in leaf and stem, calcium oxalate druses and prismatic crystals in leaf and styloids in stem, primary phloem fibers in stem, brachysclereids in stem and root, spherical starch grains in root, and vessels with vestured pits and simple perforated end walls. In addition to microscopy, a total phenolic/flavonoid content determination and an HPTLC method were also developed for rapid chemical fingerprint analyses of Fadogia samples and dietary supplements.

ABSTRACT Piper caldense C. DC., Piperaceae, commonly known as “pimenta-d’água”, “pimenta-darda” or “paguarandy” in Brazil, is a shrub that grows mainly in humid and shaded habitats. The present study investigates the anatomy of the leaves and stems of P. caldense by light and scanning electron microscopy in order to provide supporting data for correct identification of the species. The leaves are hypostomatic, have a 2-layered hypodermis, and posses pearl glands. The midrib shows a ‘U’-shaped stele comprised of about ten collateral vascular bundles. The main anatomical marker of the stem is the presence of a continuous sclerenchymatous sheath in the pith. Two forms of calcium oxalate crystals, namely crystal sand and raphides, are observed in this species.

AbstractIn southern Brazil, the bottled latex of Synadenium grantii Hook f., Euphorbiaceae, is popularly used as a treatment of all types of cancer. Similarly, Synadenium umbellatum Pax. is used in the central western region of Brazil for the same purpose and in the same manner of use. Both plants are popularly known as janaúba or leitosinha. The objectives of this study were to use pharmacobotanical analysis to verify whether these two species, which are considered to be distinct, are actually the same to determine anatomical markers; to assist in the identification and differentiation of other Euphorbia; and to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of the latex in relation to HeLa and HRT-18 cells. Leaves and stems of the species were collected in Goiânia and Ponta Grossa and were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy techniques. The latex was also collected and analyzed in relation to its cytotoxic effect by employing MTT and NR techniques. The pharmacobotanical study of the specimens in both localities showed that they were the same species, namely Euphorbia umbellata (Pax) Bruyns, which is the scientific nomenclature accepted and confirmed by an expert taxonomist who specializes in Euphorbia. The pharmacobotanical characteristics highlighted in this study can assist in the identification of the taxon and contribute to the control of the quality of this plant drug. The evaluation of the latex in relation to HRT-18 cells demonstrated action after 48 h of experiment. In contrast, in relation to HeLa cells its induced cytotoxicity in all times and a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 values (72 h) observed were 252.58 ± 18.51 µg/ml and 263.42 ± 15.92 µg/ml to MTT experiment and 250.18 ± 19.48 µg/ml and 430.56 ± 19.71 µg/ml to NR experiment for the HeLa and HRT-18 cells, respectively.

Abstract Piper amalago L., Piperaceae, popularly known as jaborandi-manso, is a shrub that spans a height of 2–7 m. It can be found in the regions of Southern America downward up to the south of Brazil. Traditionally it is used to treat digestive problems, heart problems, and burns. This study aims to conduct an anatomical investigation and analysis of the leaves and stems of P. amalago through electron scanning and optical micro techniques. The analysis showed that P. amalago has a hypostomatic leaf, with a subepidermal layer on its surface. There are grandular trichomes that resemble sacs, conic non-glandular trichomes, dorsiventral mesophyll, and a plano-convex midrib having a single vascular bundle in the center. The petiole is short with irregularly shaped and adaxially grooved. The stem is circular in shape and contains two circles of vascular bundles and a sclerenchymatic sheath in the perimedular region. These anatomical features of the Piper amalago's leaves and stems make it easy to pick it out among other species of the Piper genus. This is helpful when conducting quality control process.

Baccharis glaziovii Baker, Asteraceae, also known as carqueja or carqueja-arbustinho, is a native shrub of Brazil that reaches 0.5-2.5 m in height. It is a dioecious species that blossoms from September to December. This species has cladodes, which are winged stems that belong to the “carquejas” and are widely used indiscriminately by the population due to their gastric and diuretic properties. Carquejas are included in section Caulopteraeand are difficult to identify even for taxonomists or Baccharis specialists. In the present study, a morpho-anatomical (cladodes and leaves) analysis of the medicinal plant was undertaken to improve its identification and add to the knowledge of section Caulopterae.Fragments of cladodes and leaves were collected and prepared in accordance with standard optical and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The morpho-anatomical characteristics found in B. glaziovii,include three-winged stems showing wings in a regular arrangement around the stem axis, short and petiolate leaves, flagelliform and simple non-glandular trichomes, concave-convex midrib, petioles with a concave shape and a slight projection on the adaxial face and convex with three projections on the abaxial surface, and calcium oxalate crystals in the form of raphides, styloids and pyramidal in the perimedullary region of the cladode, when evaluated as a whole, provide support for the quality control.

Mikania lanuginosa DC, Asteraceae, is popularly known as "cipó-cabeludo" in Brazil due to a remarkable number of trichomes on its leaves and stems. It shows antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and Bacillus cereus. This species can be confused with M. microlepis Baker and M. hirsutissima DC for substitution and tampering purposes. The aim of this study was to investigate the morpho-anatomy of leaf and stem of M. lanuginosa to obtain pharmacobotanical data that may contribute to its identification and taxonomic definition from other species of Mikania. The leaves and stems were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy techniques. Mikania lanuginosa shows a uniseriate epidermis covered by a thin and smooth cuticle. The epidermal cells present sinuous anticlinal walls on both sides and anomocytic stomata were observed. A few glandular trichomes and numerous non-glandular trichomes were identified on both surfaces. The mesophyll is dorsiventral, the midrib has a biconvex contour and the petiole shows a circular shape in a cross-section. The stem has a circular shape. These pharmacobotanical features described for M. lanuginosa support data for its identification and taxonomic delimitation from other Mikania species, and are a contribution for the quality control of herbal drugs.

Gochnatia polymorpha (Less.) Cabrera, Asteraceae, is popularly known as cambará and cambara-de-folha-grande in Brazil. It is used in traditional medicine to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. Pharmacological studies revealed anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antibacterial and antiviral activities. The goal of this paper was to carry out morphological and anatomical studies in order to describe the aerial parts of G. polymorpha. The botanical material was collected, fixed, and prepared according to usual light and scanning electron microtechniques. The leaves are simple, oblong-lanceolate to elliptical-lanceolate in form with mucronate acute apex, rounded base, entire or slightly toothed margin, and short petiole. In transection, the epidermis is uniseriate along the leaf blade. A subepidermal layer next to the adaxial side is present. Anomocytic stomata are seen only on the abaxial surface. Capitate glandular trichomes and T-shaped non-glandular trichomes occur on the leaves. The mesophyll is dorsiventral and minor collateral vascular bundles are enclosed by a sheath of thick walled parenchymatic cells. The midrib is biconvex and the petiole has a circular shape. The epidermis of the stem consists of a single layer of cells with glandular and nonglandular trichomes. The vascular cylinder shows typical structure and perivascular fiber caps are next to the phloem.

No Brasil as espécies de Mikania glomerata Spreng. e M. laevigata Sch. Bip. ex Baker, Asteraceae, popularmente conhecidas como guaco, são amplamente utilizadas com evidências pré-clínicas para o tratamento de doenças onde estejam envolvidas suas ações broncodilatadoras, antialérgicas, antiasmáticas, anti-inflamatórias, antiulcerogênicas e relaxantes da musculatura lisa. Em virtude das propriedades terapêuticas atribuídas as essas espécies, ambas foram oficializadas na farmacopéia brasileira, e por serem bastante semelhantes, dificilmente são diferenciadas. Com o objetivo de contribuir com novas pesquisas, a presente revisão descreve, de forma sistematizada, sobre os aspectos farmacológicos, toxicológicos, químicos, agronômicos, morfoanatômicos, genéticos e o uso nos programas de fitoterapia do Brasil destas espécies. As principais diferenças e semelhanças entre as duas espécies são evidenciadas através da comparação das informações baseadas na literatura específica.

In Brazil the species of Mikania glomerata Spreng. and M. laevigata Sch. Bip. ex Baker, Asteraceae popularly known as guaco, are widely used with preclinical evidence for the treatment of diseases whose actions involve bronchodilators, antiallergic, anti-asthmatic, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerogenic and smooth muscles relaxant. Due to the therapeutic properties attributed to these species, both were included in the official Brazilian Pharmacopoeia, and because of their similarity, they are hardly differentiated. In order to contribute to the new research, this review describes their several aspects: pharmacology, toxicology, chemical, agricultural, anatomical, genetics and the use in herbal medicine programs in Brazil, in a systematic way. The main differences and similarities between the two species are evidenced by comparing the information based on literature.

O gênero Mikania, pertencente à família Asteraceae e à tribo Eupatoriae, tem cerca de 430 espécies distribuída principalmente na América do Sul. No Brasil, o gênero está representado por aproximadamente 171 espécies. Várias espécies do gênero Mikania de hábito trepador recebem a denominação vulgar de "guaco". Mikania laevigata Sch. Bip. ex Baker, conhecida como "guaco", "guaco-de-casa" e "guaco-do-mato", é uma espécie nativa do sul do Brasil. Suas folhas são empregadas na medicina tradicional como expectorante e como anti-reumáticas. É muito semelhante morfologicamente com M. glomerata, que é a espécie oficializada pela Farmacopéia Brasileira I. Alguns estudos de M. laevigata comprovaram atividades farmacológicas como, antiinflamatória, antimutagênica, antimicrobiana e antiulcerogênica. Objetivou-se estudar a morfologia externa e a anatomia do caule e da folha de M. laevigata, com a finalidade de fornecer dados farmacognósticos referentes à identificação e à diferenciação dessa espécie das demais Mikania, visando o controle de qualidade da matéria-prima. O material botânico foi submetido às microtécnicas fotônicas e eletrônicas de varredura usuais. As características morfoanatômicas descritas para a folha e o caule de M. laevigata auxiliam na identificação da espécie.

The genus Mikania, belonging to the family Asteraceae and tribe Eupatoriae, has about 430 species mainly distributed in South America. In Brazil, the genus is represented by approximately 171 species. Various members of Mikania are lianas and commonly called "guaco". Mikania laevigata Sch. Bip. ex Baker, known as "guaco", "guaco-de-casa" and "guaco-do-mato", is native to the South of Brazil. Its leaves are used in folk medicine as expectorant and antirheumatic. It is morphologically similar to M. glomerata, whose monograph is included in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia 1st Ed. Some studies on M. laevigata have demonstrated pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antimicrobial and anti-ulcerogenic. This work has aimed to study the morpho-anatomy of the stem and the leaf of M. laevigata, in order to supply pharmacognostic information related to the identification of this species and distinction from other Mikania for quality control purposes. The botanical material was prepared according to standard light and scanning electronic micro techniques. The morpho-anatomical characters described for the stem and the leaf contribute to the identification of this species.

O gênero Baccharis pertence à família Asteraceae e se destaca por incluir espécies medicinais. Baccharis anomala DC., conhecida como "uva-do-mato" e "cambará-de-cipó", é utilizada popularmente como diurético e estudos fitoquímicos constataram a presença de taninos e saponinas. Este trabalho objetivou realizar estudo farmacobotânico de folha e caule dessa espécie. O material foi submetido a microtécnicas fotônica e eletrônica de varredura usuais. A lâmina foliar possui epiderme uniestratificada revestida por cutícula delgada e estriada. Estômatos anomocíticos ocorrem somente na face abaxial. Em ambas as faces aparecem dois tipos de tricomas tectores pluricelulares unisseriados, um com ápice agudo e outro com célula apical flageliforme. O mesofilo é isobilateral e a nervura central é plano-convexa, sendo percorrida por um feixe vascular colateral. O pecíolo mostra três feixes vasculares que se dispõem em arco aberto. O caule tem secção circular e epiderme unisseriada, com tricomas similares aos da folha. Colênquima angular e clorênquima alternam-se no córtex e fibras perivasculares apõem-se ao floema. Evidencia-se uma zona cambial, cujas células formam xilema no sentido centrípeto e floema, centrifugamente, e a medula compõe-se de células parenquimáticas. Dutos secretores acompanham o sistema vascular na folha e no caule.

The genus Baccharis belongs to the family Asteraceae and includes medicinal species. Baccharis anomala DC., popularly known as "uva-do-mato" and "cambará-do-cipó" in Portuguese, is used as diuretic in folk medicine and phytochemical studies have demonstrated the presence of tannins and saponins. This work has aimed at studying the macro and microscopic aspects of the leaf and stem of this species. The botanical material was prepared according to standard light and scanning microtechniques. The leaf blade has uniseriate epidermis coated with a thin and striate cuticle. Anomocytic stomata are encountered on the abaxial surface. On both sides there are two types of non-glandular trichomes. They are multicellular and uniseriate, one type ending with an acute apical cell and the other with a flagelliform cell. The mesophyll is isobilateral and the midrib is plain-convex, being traversed by one collateral vascular bundle. The petiole shows three collateral vascular bundles arranged in open arc. The stem exhibits circular cross-section and uniseriate epidermis, with trichomes similar to those of the leaf. Angular collenchyma and chlorenchyma alternate in the cortex and perivascular fibres adjoin the phloem. The cambial zone is evident and the phloem is formed outwards and the xylem inwards. The pith is parenchymatic. Secretory ducts are associated with the vascular system in the leaf and stem.

Homalocladium platycladum, popularmente conhecido como fita-de-moça ou solitária, é um táxon pertencente à família Polygonaceae, tendo importância como espécie ornamental e medicinal, de acordo com a medicina tradicional oriental e brasileira. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a morfoanatomia dos cladódios de H. platycladum. O material botânico foi fixado, seccionado e preparado segundo as técnicas habituais de microscopia fotônica e eletrônica de varredura. O cladódio revelou células epidérmicas revestidas por cutícula espessada e estriada. A epiderme unisseriada apresentou estômatos paracíticos e tricomas glandulares localizados em pequenas depressões. Os tricomas foram descritos como capitados, com pedicelo curto e porção apical pluricelular. A região cortical do cladódio revelou faixas descontínuas de colênquima, alternadas com esclerênquima, também encontrado como faixa subjacente. Após a faixa esclerenquimática, limitando internamente o córtex, verificou-se a presença de uma bainha amilífera. O cilindro vascular foi constituído de feixes colaterais. A medula revelou a presença de células parenquimáticas e idioblastos contendo drusas de oxalato de cálcio.

Homalocladium platycladum is a Polygonaceae species, popularly known as fita-de-moça or solitária that has been used as ornamental and medicinal plant, according to Oriental and Brazilian traditional medicine. The aim of this work was to evaluate the morpho-anatomy of the H. platycladum cladodes. The botanical material was fixed, sectioned and prepared according to usual light and scanning microtechniques. The cladode presented epidermal cells coated with thick and striate cuticle. The uniseriate epidermis showed paracytic stomata and glandular trichomes inserted in small depressions. These trichomes were capitate and presented short stalk and multicellular head. The cortex showed strands of chlorenchyma alternating with sclerenchyma that was an extension of a sclerenchymatic sheath. An internal boundary of the cortex was represented by a starch sheath. The vascular system consisted of collateral bundles and the pith showed parenchymatic cells and idioblasts containing calcium oxalate druses.

Diversas espécies de Calea são utilizadas como medicinais e vários estudos químicos têm sido conduzidos para identificar compostos relevantes no gênero, no entanto, poucos enfocam aspectos morfoanatômicos. Este trabalho tem por objetivo caracterizar morfologicamente a folha e o caule de Calea uniflora Less., a fim de fornecer subsídios para a identificação da espécie. O material foi submetido às microtécnicas fotônica e eletrônica de varredura usuais. A lâmina foliar possui epiderme uniestratificada revestida por cutícula delgada e estriada. Em ambas as faces, ocorrem estômatos anomocíticos e anisocíticos, além de tricomas glandulares e tectores. Estes são pluricelulares e unisseriados, com ápice agudo. Os glandulares podem ser pluricelulares e plurisseriados ou capitados e inseridos em depressão na epiderme. O mesofilo é isobilateral e a nervura central é biconvexa, sendo percorrida por um feixe vascular colateral. O caule mostra secção circular e epiderme unisseriada, com tricomas similares aos da folha. Colênquima angular e clorênquima alternam-se no córtex, fibras perivasculares apõem-se ao floema, o arranjo vascular é colateral e a medula compõe-se de células parenquimáticas. Dutos secretores acompanham o sistema vascular na folha e no caule.

Various species of Calea are considered medicinal and several investigations have been carried out to identify relevant chemical substances in the genus, however, few studies have dealt with morpho-anatomical aspects. This work aimed to analyse the morphological characters of the leaf and stem of Calea uniflora Less., in order to contribute for the species identification. The plant material was prepared according to usual light and scanning microtechniques. The blade has uniseriate epidermis coated with thin and striate cuticle. Anomocytic and anisocytic stomata are seen on both surfaces, as well as glandular and non-glandular trichomes. The latter is pluricellular and uniseriate, with acute apex. The glandular trichomes are pluricellular and multiseriate or capitate and located in epidermal depression. The mesophyll is isobilateral, and the midrib is biconvex and traversed by a collateral vascular bundle. The stem shows circular transection and uniseriate epidermis, with trichomes similar to the leaf. Angular collenchyma and chlorenchyma alternate in the cortex, perivascular fibres adjoin the phloem, the vascular arrangement is collateral and the pith consists of parenchymatic cells. Secretory ducts are associated with the vascular system of the leaf and stem.