Bark Powder Research Articles

Pharmacognostic studies of Shorea tumbuggaia roxb. - A globally threatened species

Introduction: Since all parts of Shorea tumbuggaia an endemic endangered medicinal plant species using as a folklore claims has therapeutic qualities. To ensure reproducible quality of plant herbal products, proper control of starting material is utmost essential thus in recent years there has been an emphasis in standardization of medicinal plants of therapeutic potential. Methods: The present study has laid down a set of macroscopic, microscopic and fluorescence features of stem, stembark and leaf has been carried out by simple and compound microscopes; and spectro flourometer. Results: The salient anatomical features of the Shorea tumbuggaia are the stem is circular with shallow wide furrows, well defined medullary resin canals connected by phloem rays from cortical region to medulla. The stem bark revealed that major source for various secondary metabolites like phenols, flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanins, triterpenoids when compared to the stem and leaf. The leaf consisting special type of star shaped sclereid cells on abaxial surface. Paracytic stomata are distributed on abaxial side only. Fan shaped sphaerites cells consisting 4 digits are distributed towards lower side. All of the histochemical reactions showed that the presence of tannins, starch and phenols in leaf and cotyledons. The chemical potency of stem bark powder proved at excitation at 396 nm and emitted photons at 475 nm. Conclusions: With this back drop, it becomes extremely important to make an effort towards standardization of the plant material to be used as medicine and help in identification and authentification of the plant material in the drug.

Substitution of phenol in phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins by wood tar for plywood adhesives

Abstract Wood tars from Acacia confusa Merr. and Cryptomeria japonica D. Don. were produced by reduced pressure distillation at 76 mm Hg and 50°C from the bottom layer of crude wood vinegars that had set for over 6 months. The feasibility of using water-soluble, resole-type, wood tar phenol-formaldehyde resins (WT-PF) was investigated. The resins were prepared from phenol (P) and wood tars (WTs) at weight ratios of 100:0, 80:20, 60:40 and 40:60 and F/P molar ratios of 1.5, 1.8 and 2.0 as plywood adhesives. The results demonstrated that WT-PF resins had a higher viscosity, shorter gel times, a higher polydispersity, a lower curing temperature and less heat of curing than conventional PF resins under the same conditions. The shear strength of plywood bonded with WT-PF resins was slightly lower than that of conventional PF resin. However, the WT-PF resin still met the CNS 1349 requirement for the dry test, and phenol substitution levels could be up to 60%, but only 20% for type I and type II plywood. The addition of A. confusa bark powder fillers could significantly improve the bonding strength of WT-PF resins, especially for the warm water soaking and soaking in boiling water tests. The required amounts of fillers added were up to 5% for A. confusa WT-PF resins and up to 3% for C. japonica resins.

A Systematic Study on Processing Problems and <em>In vitro</em> Release of <em>Saraca indica</em> Caesalpiniaceae Bark Powder Tablets

Purpose: To examine the original flowability, compressibility and compactibility of Saraca indica bark powder and its tablet formulations.Methods: Saraca indica bark powder was subjected to various quantitative tests including acid insoluble ash, total ash, foreign organic matter, alcohol soluble extractive and water soluble extractive. Its flowability and compressibility were determined using Kawakita, Heckel and Leuenberger relationships. Tablets were prepared from the powder by direct compression and wet granulation techniques and characterized. Results: Kawakita analysis revealed lower cohesiveness of granules (3.877 ± 0.890) compared to the powder (6.176 ± 1.030), and hence improved flowability. From Heckel analysis, the higher value of intercept (A) for granules (4.38 ± 0.45) implies higher degree of fragmentation than direct compression DC formulation (2.90 ± 0.33) and powders (2.44 ± 0.12). The compression susceptibility parameter obtained from Leuenberger equation for compacts formed by wet granulation technique (0.183 ± 0.045 1/kg/cm2) indicate that maximum crushing strength is reached faster at lower pressures of compression than for Saraca indica bark powder (0.073 ± 0.025 1/kg/cm2) and DC formulation (0.105 ± 0.033 1/kg/cm2). In-vitro dissolution study showed that more than a 90% of tannin was released within 30 and 60 min from tablets prepared by wet granulation and DC, respectively. Brittle fracture index data indicate that tablets prepared from granules showed less fracture, capping and lamination tendencies.Conclusion: It is concluded that the desired flowability, compressibility and compactibility of Saraca indica bark powder can be obtained by direct compression and wet granulation techniques.

Biosorption of Ni(II) from aqueous solutions by Syzygium cumini bark powder: Equilibrium and kinetic studies

The present work deals with the use of Syzygium cumini bark powder as a biosorbent for Ni(II) removal from aqueous solution. The biosorption characteristics of Ni(II) onto S. cumini bark powder was investigated as a function of pH, contact time, biosorbent dosage, and initial Ni(II) ion concentration. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used to fit the experimental data. The best interpretation for the equilibrium data was given by the Langmuir isotherm. The maximum biosorption capacity was found to be 294.1 mg/g for Ni(II) at pH 5.0 and at room temperature. The biosorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy analyses. The equilibrium biosorption data were well fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation. The chi-square (χ2) and sum of the square error tests were also carried out to find the best-fit biosorption isotherm and kinetic model. The FTIR results revealed that carboxyl, hydroxyl, and amine groups are responsible for Ni(II) biosorption onto S. cumini bark powder.

Molluscicidal activity of Morus nigra against the freshwater snail Lymnaea acuminata

The molluscicidal activity of Morus nigra fruit, bark and leaf powder against the snail Lymnaea acuminata was time and concentration dependent. Toxicity of fruit powder (96h LC 50 : 166.92 mg/L) was more pronounced in comparison to bark powder (96h LC 50 : 173.17 mg/L) and leaf powder (96h LC 50 : 173.69 mg/L). Ethanolic extracts of M . nigra fruit, bark and leaf was more toxic than their other organic solvent extracts. The molluscicidal activity of ethanolic extract of M . nigra fruit powder (24h LC 50 : 116.23 mg/L) was more effective than the ethanolic extract of bark powder (24h LC 50 : 154.41 mg/L) and leaf powder (24h LC 50 : 139.80 mg/L). The 96h LC 50 of column-purified fraction of M . nigra fruit powder was, 10.03 mg/L whereas that of bark and leaf powder was 8.69 mg/L and 4.97 mg/L, respectively. Column and thin layer chromatography analysis demonstrates that the active molluscicidal component in M . nigra is quercetin (96h LC 50 : 1.11 mg/L), apigenin (96h LC 50 : 1.92 mg/L) and morusin (96h LC 50 : 2.12 mg/L), respectively. Co-migration of quercetin (R f 0.49), apigenin (R f 0.51) and morusin (R f 0.52) with column-purified fruit, bark and leaf of M . nigra on thin layer chromatography demonstrates same R f value. The present study indicates that M . nigra may be used as potent source of molluscicides against the snail Lymnaea acuminata .

Microwave extraction and rapid isolation of arjunic acid from Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex DC.) stem bark and quantification of arjunic acid and arjunolic acid using HPLC‐PDA technique

Arjunic acid and arjunolic acid are main bioactive components of Terminalia arjuna stem bark and reported for various biological activities. In this study, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of arjunic and arjunolic acid from stem bark of T. arjuna was investigated with developed and validated HPLC-PDA method, which resulted in the isolation of a novel anticancer molecule i.e. arjunic acid. Effects of several experimental parameters, such as type and volume of extraction solvents, microwave power, microwave extraction time, on the extraction efficiencies of arjunic, and arjunolic acid from stem bark of T. arjuna were evaluated. The optimal extraction conditions identified were 5.0 g quantity of stem bark powder, 20 mL of ethyl acetate, preleaching time 10 min, microwave power 600 W, temperature 65°C, and microwave irradiation time 5 min. The results showed that MAE is a more rapid extraction method with higher yield and lower solvent consumptions than reported methods. The HPLC-PDA analysis method was developed and validated to have good linearity, precision, sensitivity, and accuracy. MAE-HPLC-PDA is a faster, convenient, and appropriate method for isolation and determination of arjunic acid and arjunolic acid in the stem bark of T. arjuna.

Extraction and Phytochemical Evaluation of LitseaGlutinosa Bark Methanolic Extract

The present investigation deals with the extraction of bark powder of Litsea glutinosa and its preliminary phytochemical screening. The bark powder was subjected to methanolic extraction and further explored for its phytochemical constituents using TLC and GC MS. Preliminary phytochemical screening reveals the presence of alkaloids, flavonoides, glycosides, phenols, tannins and saponins. The extract was further subjected to separation using TLC and fractions were evaluated using GC MS. GC MS analysis of the total methanolic extract showed the presence of Oliec acid, tricosene, erucic acid, tetra decanoic acid, pyrrolidinone, piperidine, eicosanoic acid like major phytochemicals. Alkaloid fraction was found to be rich in therapeutically potential compounds like Eicosane, Pieprizine, pyridine, thio-coumarin, tetrahydroisoquinoline. Apart from this various Androstane, Androsta-trione, pregnene like phytoestrogens were also observed in this plant, justifying its aphrodisiac and osteoprotective effect. TLC of various subfractions of alkaloids revealed that this plant is rich in variety of potential therapeutic phytochemicals, hence justifying its ethnomedical usage.

Response surface modelling of Cr6+ adsorption from aqueous solution by neem bark powder: Box–Behnken experimental approach

The main aim of this study is to investigate the combined effect of different operating parameters like adsorbent dose, initial Cr(6+) concentration and pH on the removal of Cr(6+) from aqueous solution using neem bark powder (NBP). A series of batch experiments were performed to find out the adsorption isotherms and kinetic behaviour of Cr(6+) in the aqueous solution. The adsorption process was examined with three independent variables viz. NBP dosage, initial Cr(6+) concentrations and pH. Seventeen batch experiments designed by Box-Behnken using response surface methodology were carried out, and the adsorption efficiency was modelled using polynomial equation as the function of the independent variables. Based on the uptake capacity and economic use of adsorbent, the independent variables were optimized by two procedures. The desirability of first and second optimization procedures were found to be 1.00 and 0.84, respectively, which shows that the estimated function may well represent the experimental model. The kinetic study indicated that the rate of adsorption confirms to the pseudo-second-order rate equation. Thermodynamics study indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The surface texture changes in NBP were obtained from FT-IR analysis. The optimized result obtained from RAMP plots revealed that the NBP was supposed to be an effective and economically feasible adsorbent for the removal of Cr(6+) from an aqueous system.

Garcinia buchananii bark extract is an effective anti-diarrheal remedy for lactose-induced diarrhea

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The extract from the stem bark of Garcinia buchananii trees is used as an anti-diarrhea remedy in sub-Saharan Africa. We tested the hypothesis that G. buchananii bark extract and its anti-motility fractions are effective treatments against lactose-induced diarrhea.Materials and methods: A high-lactose (35%) diet was used to induce diarrhea in Wistar rats, which were then treated with either G. buchananii bark extract (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 5.0g bark powder), and its anti-motility fractions isolated using preparative thin layer chromatography; termed PTLC1 (15mg) and PTLC5 (3.8mg) or loperamide (8.4mg). Drug preparations were dissolved in 1L except PTCL1 and PTLC5 that were dissolved in 100mL tap water. Numerous parameters were measured in each condition including consistency, fluid and mucus content of feces, body weight, water and food consumption, urine production and bloating.Results: Diarrheic rats produced watery or loose, mucuoid, sticky, feces. Fluids constituted 86% of stool mass compared with only 42% for control rats fed standard chow. Compared with controls, diarrheic rats produced more urine, lost weight and had bloated ceca and colons. All doses of the extract, its anti-motility fractions and loperamide individually stopped diarrhea within 6–24h of administration, whilst significantly reducing mucus and fecal fluid content, urine production and intestinal bloating. Rats treated with 0.1g extract, PTLC1 and PTLC5 gained weight, whilst PTLC5 also increased water intake.Conclusions: Garcinia buchananii extract and its anti-motility fractions are effective remedies against lactose-induced diarrhea. The extract contains compounds that reverse weight loss, promote food and water intake, supporting the notion that characterization of the compounds could lead to new therapies against diarrheal diseases.

Influence of UV Radiation on Extraction and Dyeing of Cotton Fabrics Using Eucalyptus Bark Powder as Natural Dye

The efficiency of UV radiation on boiled aqueous and alkaline extracts of Eucalyptus bark powder has been determined. Irradiated and un-irradiated cotton fabrics were used to study the dyeing parameters such as material-liquor ratio, dyeing time and dyeing pH. Pre- and postmordanting were carried out by using copper and iron mordants. The data colour report was obtained for evaluation of un-irradiated and irradiated dyed cotton using a Spectra Flash (SF- 650) in the CIE Lab system. It was found that UV irradiation has the potential to improve dyeing and fastness properties, such as washing, light and rubbing, of cotton dyed with Eucalyptus bark powder.

Antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and apoptotic activity of stem bark extracts of Cephalotaxus griffithii Hook. f

BackgroundCephalotaxus spp. are known to possess various therapeutic potentials. Cephalotaxus griffithii, however, has not been evaluated for its biological potential. The reason may be the remoteness and inaccessibility of the habitat where it is distributed. The main aim of this study was to: (1) evaluate multiple biological potentials of stem bark of C. griffithii, and (2) identify solvent extract of stem bark of C. griffithii to find the one with the highest specific biological activity.MethodsDried powder of stem bark of C. griffithii was exhaustively extracted serially by soaking in petroleum ether, acetone and methanol to fractionate the chemical constituents into individual fractions or extracts. The extracts were tested for total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant (DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging, and reducing power models), antibacterial (disc diffusion assay on six bacterial strains), cytotoxic (MTT assay on HeLa cells), and apoptotic activity (fluorescence microscopy, DNA fragmentation assay, and flow cytometry on HeLa cells).ResultsAmong the three extracts of stem bark of C. griffithii, the acetone extract contained the highest amount of total phenolics and flavonoids and showed maximum antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic (IC50 of 35.5 ± 0.6 μg/ml; P < 0.05), and apoptotic (46.3 ± 3.6% sub-G0/G1 population; P < 0.05) activity, followed by the methanol and petroleum ether extracts. However, there was no significant difference observed in IC50 values (DPPH scavenging assay) of the acetone and methanol extracts and the positive control (ascorbic acid). In contrast, superoxide radical scavenging assay-based antioxidant activity (IC50) of the acetone and methanol extracts was significantly lower than the positive control (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis suggested that phenolic and flavonoid content present in stem bark of C. griffithii extracts was responsible for the high antioxidant, cytotoxic, and apoptotic activity (P < 0.05).ConclusionsStem bark of C. griffithii has multiple biological effects. These results call for further chemical characterization of acetone extract of stem bark of C. griffithii for specific bioactivity.

Sunscreen Liquid Foundation Containing &lt;i&gt;Naringi crenulata&lt;/i&gt; Powder

Powdered bark and stem of Naringi crenulata or thanaka, the traditional sunscreen cosmetics, were sun protection factor (SPF) analyzed. SPF of the bark powder (1.51 ± 0.31) was comparable to TiO2 (1.99 ± 0.09), whereas that of stem was lower (1.13 ± 0.04). The optimum liquid foundation formula contains N. crenulata bark powder (10% w/w), TiO2 (12% w/w) and natural SPF booster (Aloe vera powder, 2% w/w). This broad spectrum sunscreen (critical wavelength = 387.900 ± 0.000 nm) potentially protected UVB (SPF = 35.467 ± 0.136) and UVA (5th boots star). This porcelain natural liquid foundation determined by CIELAB system was stable under heating-cooling for 6 cycles and one month storage at 4, 25 and 45 °C, separately, with a consistence of pH and viscosity. Its UVA protection efficiency was maintained and SPF was not significantly reduced. This presenting new herbal sun protection liquid foundation is available for cosmetic industry and would be further developed to prolong its efficacy including preference test in the panelist.

Insecticidal Activity of Alstonia boonei De Wild Powder against Cowpea Bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) [Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae] in stored Cowpea Seeds

The bioactivity of Alstonia boonei De Wild (Apocyanaceae) against Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in stored cowpea seeds was evaluated in the laboratory by admixing leaf, stem bark and root powders of A. boonei with cowpea seeds at ambient temperature of 28+20C and 70+5% relative humidity. The powders were incorporated into 20g of cowpea seeds, Vigna unguiculata at 0.0% (control) 2.5%, 5.0%, 12.5% and 25.0% (w/w) concentration. The ability of the plant powders to protect cowpea seeds was assessed in terms of mortality rates after 24 - 96 hours post treatment, oviposition and adult emergence, percentage weight loss and damage after the first filial generation (F1). All the tested plant part powders significantly (P<0.05) reduce the longevity of adult C. maculatus on treated cowpea seeds. From the study, the plant powders could be ranked in order of effectiveness thus; stem bark > leaf > root. Alstonia boonei can be used as biopesticide against C. maculatus and its incorporation into traditional storage pest management is strongly recommended.

Pharmacognostic evaluation of leaf and root bark of Holoptelea integrifolia Roxb.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the pharmacognostic characters of an important medicinal plant, Holoptelea integrifolia (H. integrifolia) Roxb. MethodsThe pharmacognostic studies were carried out in terms of organoleptic, microscopic, macroscopic and fluorescence analysis. ResultsThe characteristic microscopic features of leaves were observed as trichomes, multicellular trichomes, xylem cells, phloem cells, collenchyma, vascular bundles, spongy parenchyma and palisade cells. The characteristic microscopic features of root bark included cork cambium, primary cortex, phloem fibers, medullary rays, endodermis, pericycle and lignified fibers in the transverse section and longitudinal section. The characteristic microscopy of root bark powder showed the presence of cortex cells, sieve tubes, calcium oxalate crystals and lignified fibers. Macroscopic study showed that leaf shape–oval, apex–acute, base–cordate and leaf margin was entire with glabrous surface, bitter taste and characteristic odour. The morphological features of root bark showed deep fissured, rough and firm surface with rhitydome and the periderm parallel to cambium. ConclusionsVarious pharmacognostic characters observed in this study help in the identification and standardization of H. integrifolia.

Pharmacognostic evaluation of Nyctanthes arbortristis bark

ObjectiveTo study detailed Pharmacognosy of the bark of Nyctanthes arbortristis Linn (Oleaceae), an important plant in Indian system of medicine. Methodsthe macroscopy, microscopy, physicochemical analysis, preliminary phytochemical testing of powder of the plant bark and other WHO recommended methods for the standardization was done. ResultsTrunk bark consists of two distinct regions i.e. outer bark and inner bark. Outer bark consists of broad periderm of a wide phellem and inner phelloderm regions. Inner bark is broader than the outer part and it includes all the secondary phloem tissues. It can be distinguished into 2 zones viz. collapsed secondary phloem and non-collapsed secondary phloem regions. Collapsed secondary phloem region consist of thick blocks of phloem sclereids and radially oblique dark streaks of crushed sieve tubes and dilated axial parenchyma cells. Non-collapsed secondary phloem region is the conducting part of the phloem where the sieve elements are intact. It consists of intact sieve tube members, companion cells, axial parenchyma cells and narrow undilated ray. Calcium oxalate crystals are abundant in collapsed phloem region. Conclusionsit can be concluded that the pharmacognostic profile of N. arbortristis bark is helpful in developing standards for quality, purity and sample identification.

Phytonutrient, Mineral Composition and In vitro Antioxidant Activity of Leaf and Stem Bark Powders of Pappea capensis (L.)

Phytonutrient, Mineral Composition and In vitro Antioxidant Activity of Leaf and Stem Bark Powders of Pappea capensis (L.)

Antioxidant activity of fractions from Quercus sideroxyla bark and identification of proanthocyanidins by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS

Abstract The most active phenolics in Quercus sideroxyla Humb. &amp; Bonpl. residual bark were identified and evaluated following a chromatographic fractionation. Bark powder was defatted with hexane and crude extract (CE) was obtained by extraction with aqueous acetone (70%). A liquid partition with ethyl acetate was performed to produce an organic extract (OE), which was subsequently purified by column chromatography (Toyopearl HW-40F, methanol), and resulted in six methanolic fractions (MF1 to MF6) and an oligomeric fraction (OLF) eluted with acetone 67%. Extraction yields, total phenolic and flavanol contents were determined. The antioxidant activity of bark extracts was measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Trolox (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-chroman-2-carboxylic-acid)-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Their median effective concentration (EC50) data and rate constants for DPPH radical scavenging were also estimated. Identification of major phenolics was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and high performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) instruments. Bioactive gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin, catechin gallate, dimeric procyanidins, galloylated dimeric proanthocyanidins, trimeric procyanidins, and tetrameric proanthocyanidins were detected and identified in Q. sideroxyla bark extracts. MF2 was the most active fraction containing gallocatechin as its major compound; MF5 and OLF contain galloylated procyanidins, which may explain their higher antiradical activity. OLF besides galloylated procyanidins has gallocatechin, which presumably contributes to its higher antiradical activity. Consequently, Q. sideroxyla bark could be a good source of therapeutic health products or nutraceutical ingredients that may exert a potential prevention or treatment action against diseases in biological systems.

Subcritical water extraction of flavoring and phenolic compounds from cinnamon bark (&lt;i&gt;Cinnamomum zeylanicum&lt;/i&gt;)

Cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) powder was treated with subcritical water at 150 and 200°C in a semi-continuous system at a constant flow rate (3 mL/min) and pressure (6 MPa). Major flavoring compounds, i.e., cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, cinnamyl alcohol and coumarin, were extracted at lower recoveries than the extraction using methanol, suggesting that degradation of these components might occur during the subcritical water treatment. Caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric, protocatechuic and vanillic acids were identified from the subcritical water treatment. Extraction using subcritical water was more effective to obtain these acids than methanol (50% v/v) in both number of components and recovery, especially at 200°C. Subcritical water treatment at 200°C also resulted in a higher total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity than the methanol extraction. The DPPH radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content linearly correlated but the results suggested that the extraction at 200°C might result in other products that possessed a free radical scavenging activity other than the phenolic compounds.

OA01.38. Anti-obesity activity of Zizyphyus mauritiana lam: a potent pancreatic lipase inhibitor

Purpose: To study anti-obesity activity of Ziziphus mauritiana Lam bark powder (ZMBP) on High Fat Diet (HFD) induced obesity in rats. Method: Obesity was induced in Wistar rats by feeding high fat diet (HFD) for 70 days. The obese rats were distributed in 4 groups (n=5). Group 1: Normal (lean) Control, Group 2: Obese Control, Group 3: Obese rats administered orally 250 mg/kg ZMBP daily, Group 4: Obese rats dosed with 500 mg/kg ZMBP daily, Group 5: Obese rats dosed with Standard Drug Sibutramine, 0.90 mg/kg. The rats were dosed orally daily for a period of 90 days. The animals were screened for induction of obesity by analysing obesity parameters such as Body weight, Anthropological Parameters, Serum Tryglycerides, Serum Cholesterol, Glucose tolerance test, Insulin resistance Test, DEXA analysis and MRI Scan. Result : At the end of 90 days treatment with ZMBP the obese rats showed 16.33 % reduction in body weight gain at 250 mg/kg and 17.38 % (P<0.05) reduction in body weight gain at 500 mg/kg when compared with the obese control group respectively. The standard drug Sibutramine showed 5.52% reduction in body weight gain when compared with the obese control group. The DEXA analysis at the end of 90 days of treatment showed 68.99 % (P<0.01) decrease in the Fat mass at 250 mg/kg dose and 72.84 % (P<0.001) decrease in the Fat mass at 500 mg/kg dose when compared with the obese control group. The pancreatic lipase activity in 250mg/kg (5.13+0.71 U/mg of protein) and in 500 mg/kg (4.01+0.86 I/mg of protein) reduced significantly (P<0.001) when compared with the obese control group (9.73+2.39 U/mg of protein) Conclusion: The ZMBP has anti-obesity activity at 250 mg/kg and 500-mg/kg dose. It has lipase inhibitory activity.

Características morfofisiológicas associadas à qualidade de mudas de Eucalyptus urophylla produzidas em diferentes substratos

Neste estudo foram avaliados os efeitos de diferentes combinações de substratos sobre características morfológicas e fisiológicas relacionadas à qualidade de mudas de Eucalyptus urophylla. O experimento foi conduzido em um viveiro florestal a pleno sol, no qual foram produzidas mudas em tubetes de 54 cc e irrigadas por microaspersão. Empregou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com 12 tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram baseados nas seguintes combinações de substratos: dois substratos comerciais (Vivatto Slim Plus e Mecplant), esterco bovino, pó de casca de coco, vermiculita e uma combinação utilizada por uma empresa do ramo florestal. Em todos os tratamentos foi adicionado Osmocote, fertilizante mineral de suprimento controlado de NPK. Foram avaliadas as seguintes características: Índice de Velocidade de Emergência (IVE), Emergência Total de Plântulas (EMER), Índice de Qualidade Dickson (IQD), Índice SPAD e Potencial de Regeneração de Raízes (PRR). Em geral, os melhores resultados foram obtidos nos tratamentos que continham esterco bovino e pó de casca de coco nas combinações de substratos. Para a qualificação das mudas, os valores de IQD mostraram-se, quase sempre, relacionados positivamente aos de PRR, exceto o substrato 100% da Vivatto Slim Plus, em que os maiores valores de IQD estiveram associados a valores mais baixos de PRR. A combinação de 40% de esterco bovino, 20% de pó de casca de coco e 40% de vermiculita resultou nas maiores médias do índice SPAD. A combinação de 70% de esterco bovino e 30% de pó de casca de coco proporcionou a produção de mudas com os maiores valores de PRR, as quais apresentaram qualidade superior à das demais combinações de substratos, com base nas características avaliadas.