Abstract
Cordia curassavica (Jacq.) Roem. & Schult. (Boraginaceae), also referred to as Cordia verbenacea DC, has been traditionally used for medicinal purposes. This study was driven to verify the behavior of the species in similar conditions to its natural environment, such as high light intensity and sandbank soil, and in conditions of low light intensity and fertilized substratum (dystroferric red nitosoil plus earthworm humus). The growth of the plant, the income of leaf crude extracts and, in the alcoholic extract, the number of substances found in thin layer cromatography and the toxicity of the substratum was observed. The results indicated that the growth of the root biomass, stem and leaves in discharge or lower light intensity was similar, but smaller in sandbank soil than in fertilized soil. The relative income of extracts in ether of petroleum and alcohol was larger in high light intensity and fertilized substratum. The light intensity and the substratum type didn't affect the number of substances detected in the alcoholic extract or the toxicity of this extract. Stains corresponding to the rosmarinic acid were only evidenced in some samples of the alcoholic extract, not allowing the verification of the effect of the treatments about its production.
Highlights
Cordia curassavica (Jacq.) Roem. & Schult. belongs to the Boraginaceae family and it is found from Central America to southern Brazil, occurring in sandbanks (SMITH, 1970)
Influence of light intensity and substratum on plant growth: The data presented in table 1 show that the plant growth in biomass was not affected by the light intensity tested, representing the maximum Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) of 360 mmol m-2 s-1, 1260 mmol m-2 s-1and 1800 mmol m-2 s-1
Despite the occurrence of the species in sunny areas, such as sandbank regions, some plasticity to adjust to the shadow condition was verified in the plants, when compared to plants under 100% and 20% light intensity, as the decrease in root/ shoot ratio and increase in leaf area ratio (LAR), alterations which favor light absorption (POORTER, 1999)
Summary
Cordia curassavica (Jacq.) Roem. & Schult. belongs to the Boraginaceae family and it is found from Central America to southern Brazil, occurring in sandbanks (SMITH, 1970). Rosmarinic acid, a phenolic secondary metabolite found in at least 14 plant families, presenting antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities (Petersen & Simmonds, 2003) was isolated from C. curassavica, showing specific inhibitory effect on the edema caused by poison of the Bothros jararacussu snake (TICLI et al, 2005). This snake is responsible for the majority of ophidian accidents registered in Brazil (BOCHNER e STRUCHINER, 2003)
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