Abstract Limonium brasiliense (Boiss.) Kuntze, Plumbaginaceae, is a coastal herb of the Southern Brazilian states and Rio de Janeiro State. In folk medicine, it is used in the treatment of female genitourinary tract infections and menstrual cycle irregularities. The aim of this study was to describe morpho-anatomical characters with details on venation pattern of L. brasiliense leaves, collected on the coast of Rio Grande do Sul State, in Southern Brazil. Leaf samples fixed in FAA50 (5% formaldehyde, 5% acetic acid and 90% ethanol: water mixture 50:50 v/v) and 1% glutaraldehyde and preserved in 70% ethanol, were histologically sectioned and analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy. The L. brasiliense leaves were simple, entire, incomplete, oboval-lanceolate, venation penninervous and showed rosulated phyllotaxy, entire and revolute margin, with apex rounded to slightly retuse, base attenuate and venation pattern brochidodromous. On microscopic analysis, these leaves showed a thick and striated cuticle, salt glands, isobilateral mesophyll thicker in the apical region of the leaf blade, abundant aerenchyma in the petiole and main vein, collateral vascular bundles surrounded by fiber-sclereids, lipid substances in the cuticle and polyphenols in phloem cells.

The use of thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is a commonplace practice and can be of significant help to different laboratories with quality control, especially those that work with plant extracts and phytotherapeutics. This study evaluated ten species of plants (Schinus terebinthifolius; Arctium lappa; Trichilia catigua; Camellia sinensis; Mikania glomerata; Croton echioides; Achyrocline satureioides; Heteropterys aphrodisiaca; Plantago major; Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) that are commonly sold by compounding pharmacies, using TLC with reference substances and pharmacopoeic physical and chemical tests (loss on drying, level of extractives, and total ash content). The results showed that the ten species showed losses on drying consonant with the literature. The level of extractives for two species and total ash for five species were also consonant with the literature, and those of the other species were established in this study. The semipurified extracts of the ten species were assayed by TLC, and the analysis with the use of reference substances proved to be effective, in addition to being practical, simple, versatile, and economically viable.

Croton echioides Baill., Euphorbiaceae, is a small tree found in Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. Its stem bark has been widely sold as an aphrodisiac and tonic, as a substitute for the roots of Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth. Olacaceae, the Amazon Muira Puama or Marapuama, and C. echioides is characterized as the "Northeastern Marapuama". This contribution describes a morphoanatomical analysis and pharmacognostic study of stem bark of this species. The stem has a thick cortex with compound starch grains and laticifers; a sclerenchymatic sheath which consists of brachysclereids with large crystals externally to the phloem, and abundant fiber in the secondary xylem, as the main features of the species. The data obtained for water content (9.26±0.07%), water-soluble extractives (3.92±0.19%), total ash (1.24±0.06%) and acid-insoluble ash (0.16±0.01%), together with the chromatographic profile obtained by TLC, contribute to the quality control and standardization for the plant drug. The pharmacological screening indicated LD50 values above 500 mg/kg orally and equal to 500 mg/kg by the i.p. route, as well as some stimulant potential, depending on the dose.

Das cascas de Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. (Sterculiaceae) foram isolados e identificados nove compostos: ent-catequina, epicatequina, ent-galocatequina, epigalocatequina, epiafzelequina-(4β→8)-epicatequina, epicatequina-(4β→8)-catequina (procianidina B1), epicatequina-(4β→8)-epicatequina (procianidina B2), epicatequina-(4β→8)-epigalocatequina, e a nova substância 4'-O-metil-epiafzelequina. Suas estruturas foram elucidadas com base nos dados espectrais e da literatura. A "impressão digital" de um extrato semipurificado por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência foi realizada em coluna C18, com uma mistura de acetonitrila (0,05% de ácido trifluoroacético):água (0,05% de ácido trifluoroacético) (v/v) com vazão de 0,8 mL min-1. O volume injetado da amostra foi de 100 µL e o comprimento de onda 210 nm.

From the bark of Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. (Sterculiaceae), nine compounds were isolated and identified: ent-catechin, epicatechin, ent-gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, epiafzelechin-(4β→8)-epicatechin, epicatechin-(4β→8)-catechin (procyanidin B1), epicatechin-(4β→8)-epicatechin (procyanidin B2), epicatechin-(4β→8)-epigallocatechin, and the new compound 4'-O-methyl-epiafzelechin. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral and literature data. HPLC fingerprint analysis of the semipurified extract was performed on a C18 column, with a mixture of acetonitrile (0.05% trifluoroacetic acid):water (0.05% trifluoroacetic acid) (v/v) with a flow rate of 0.8 mL min-1. The sample injection volume was 100 µL and the wavelength was 210 nm.