Drimys Angustifolia Research Articles

Flora of Espírito Santo: Winteraceae

Abstract Winteraceae (Canellales) is represented by the genera Drimys, Pseudowintera, Takhtajania, Tasmannia, and Zygogynum, corresponding to approximately 100 species. Only Drimys occurs in Brazil, with three species: Drimys angustifolia, D. brasiliensis and D. roraimensis. The present work was based on consultations in national and international herbaria, mainly of online collections. The description, comments, distribution map, and photographs of D. brasiliensis, the only species registered in the state of Espírito Santo, are provided.

Molecular Modeling of Substances Isolated from the Essential Oil of the Species Drimys angustifolia and Drimys brasiliensis

Objectives: Carry out an in silico study of chemical substances isolated from the species: Drimys angustifolia and Drimys brasiliensis. Methods: A theoretical study of global reactivity, QSAR descriptors, MEP construction and molecular docking was performed to analyze the interaction of substances with acetylcholinesterase of Drosophila melanogaster and the prediction of skin permeation and toxicological properties of the substances. Results: Chemical reactivity and molecular stability investigation suggest that the substance which presents stability values similar to the standard substance D-limonene, was Terpinen-4-ol. The MEPs of the investigated substances were evenly distributed along the hydrogens and oxygens. The molecular docking studies suggest interesting and promising results for the substance Myristicin. Regarding skin permeability, the results suggests low skin absorption for all substances. Regarding toxicological properties, bicyclogermacrene indicated non-carcinogenic and mutagenic activity. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the substance, bicyclogermacrene, is a potential candidate for usage as a repellent.

The Neotropical Fomitiporia (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota): the redefinition of F. apiahyna s.s. allows revealing a high hidden species diversity

The Neotropical species Fomitiporia apiahyna was repeatedly shown to form a lineage with multiple sublineages that could correspond to different phylogenetic species, hence forming a highly diverse species complex. Due to their inconspicuous morphological features, species delimitation in this complex needs an integrative taxonomic perspective. In this study, we have performed multilocus molecular (ITS, ncLSU, TEF-1α, and RPB2) analyses in order to delimit the phylogenetic placement of specimens previously determined as F. apiahyna and to determine the phylogenetic diversity in term of clades that could be equated to species. Both morphological, ecological, and distribution data have been integrated to better delimit species boundaries. The F. apiahyna sensu lato lineage was shown to encompass four clades, corresponding to the four species: F. apiahyna sensu stricto, which is confirmed based on specimens originating from the type locality and here epitypified; F. nubicola sp. nov., proposed based on specimens found on Drimys angustifolia and Drimys sp., a relic plant species distributed exclusively in fragmented forests of high altitude areas in southern Brazil; F. conyana sp. nov., proposed from specimens previously suggested as the closest to F. apiahyna s.s.; and F. murrilli sp. nov., proposed based on specimens found on the locally exotic Eucalyptus sp. and another undefined angiosperm in southern Brazil. Additionally, Phellinus elegans emerged from the synonymy of F. apiahyna and the new combination Fomitiporia elegans is proposed. An identification key to the Neotropical species with pileate basidioma also is provided. Phylogenetically delimited species are strongly supported by ecological data, and in the case of F. conyana by clear-cut morphological data. It is expected that, with the redefinition of F. apiahyna s.s., other phylogenetic species will emerge in the near future.

Estrutura populacional de Drimys angustifolia Miers em um fragmento de Floresta Ombrófila Mista Alto-Montana, Urubici, SC

O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a estrutura populacional da espécie arbórea mais abundante em um fragmento de Floresta Ombrófila Mista Alto-Montana em Urubici, Santa Catarina, assim como determinar sua capacidade de regeneração natural na área desmatada adjacente ao fragmento florestal. Para a detecção da espécie mais abundante, foi realizado um levantamento florístico-estrutural no fragmento florestal, por meio da alocação de parcelas, onde todos os indivíduos com diâmetro a altura do peito (DAP) ≥ 5 cm foram considerados adultos e inventariados. Para determinar a capacidade de regeneração natural da espécie selecionada na área desmatada adjacente, foram alocadas parcelas, onde os indivíduos considerados como regenerantes (20 cm de altura até 5 cm de DAP) foram amostrados, nos anos de 2014 e 2016. Foi analisada a estrutura diamétrica e a distribuição espacial dos indivíduos adultos da espécie, e a estrutura hipsométrica, espacial e dinâmica dos indivíduos regenerantes. A espécie mais abundante no fragmento foi Drimys angustifolia Miers, que representou 26,4% dos indivíduos. A estrutura populacional dessa espécie obteve distribuição diamétrica tendendo à normalidade e distribuição espacial aleatória para os indivíduos adultos. O componente regenerante apresentou padrão de distribuição espacial agregado (2016) e distribuição hipsométrica normal somente em 2016. As taxas de dinâmica dos regenerantes indicaram aumento populacional. A elevada densidade desta espécie, associada às suas características estruturais, indicam boa adaptação no fragmento florestal e capacidade regenerativa condizente com o estágio sucessional da área em recuperação, com tendência ao aumento do número de indivíduos ao longo do tempo.

IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF A CLOUD FOREST INDICATOR TREE SPECIES

ABSTRACT The cloud forests are threatened due to the climate change process. Investigations seeking to predict how future climate change will affect species are of great importance as they are fundamental to generating conservation strategies. We aimed to detect how climate change affects the potential geographical distribution of Drimys angustifolia Miers, a tree species that is an indicator of the upper-montane cloud forest in the Brazilian subtropical Atlantic Forest. The areas where D. angustifolia occurs were obtained from geographic coordinates available in scientific publications and the Global Biodiversity Information database. For climate niche modeling, we used the maximum entropy algorithm with 19 climate variables. Two climate change scenarios were considered for 2061-2080: one of low and one of high impact. D. angustifolia predominantly occurs in the upper-montane forests and is absent from dry and warm sites. The variables that best explained the D. angustifolia climatic niche were mean temperature of the warmest quarter, precipitation of driest month, and precipitation of the warmest quarter. Both scenarios indicated changes towards a more tropical regional future climate. Under the low impact climate change scenario, D. angustifolia coverage declined by 68.24% (± 7.32%) across its area of potential occurrence; it declined by 79.15% (± 9.65%) under the high impact scenario. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that D. angustifolia and its associated ecosystem are threatened by the potential impacts of future climate change. Consequently, we highlight climatically stable areas for the occurrence of D. angustifolia, such as those located in the highest parts of the mountain ranges of the southern and southeastern regions of Brazil, which should be considered as priority areas for protection and conservation.

Extraction of antifreeze proteins from cold acclimated leaves of Drimys angustifolia and their application to star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) freezing

Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) have the ability to modify ice crystal growth and thus there is great interest in identifying new sources of these compounds. All extracts of cold acclimated leaves of Drimys angustifolia, obtained using different buffers, inhibited recrystallization and they presented similar SDS-PAGE profiles, with bands close to 20 and 37 kDa. The extract obtained using Tris-HCl/DDT buffer (pH 8) was used in the pre-treatment of frozen star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) by immersion or vacuum infiltration. The treatments did not affect the titratable acidity, pH, soluble solids, ascorbic acid content and colour. However, only star fruits that were vacuum infiltrated with AFPs retained their drip loss constant after 15 days. Moreover, with this treatment the star fruit firmness was maintained on thawing after 60 days of storage. The vacuum infiltration of Drimys angustifolia AFPs into the star fruit allowed an initial cryoprotection, indicating that the application of AFPs can increase the quality of frozen star fruit.

Species diversity, community structure and ecological traits of trees in an upper montane forest, southern Brazil

ABSTRACT Upper montane ecosystems in Brazil are little known, and their structural and functional aspects poorly understood. Our goals were to describe tree species diversity and community structure, and to characterize tree species in relation to their ecological traits, phytogeographic history and conservation status in an upper montane araucaria forest remnant. A total of 26 species belonging to 18 families were found in a 1-hectare permanent plot. The tree community mainly comprised trees with diameters of less than 20 cm and heights of between 6.5 and 9.5 m. Drimys angustifolia and Myrceugenia regnelliana had the highest importance values. Most species were shade tolerant while most individuals were pioneers. Most species and individuals presented zoophily and zoochory. Most sampled species and individuals were related to araucaria forests. Seven species are threatened to some degree while one species, Crinodendron brasiliensis, besides threatened, is also endemic to the region. The presence of endemic and endangered species demonstrates that the studied area serves important conservation purposes. Furthermore, the present study demonstrates the important role that upper montane regions have for conservation and describes the structural patterns of still poorly studied habitats, reinforcing the importance such systems have in maintaining species diversity at high elevations.

Supercritical fluid extraction of Drimys angustifolia Miers: Experimental data and identification of the dynamic behavior of extraction curves using neural networks based on wavelets

Drimys angustifolia Miers is a tree species native to and found in southern Brazil. The extract of this plant is rich with active compounds that show medicinal potential, its uses being prospected as phytotherapy. In this study, yield data from supercritical extraction of D. angustifolia Miers are provided at different pressure and temperature conditions, and for various process operation times. Additionally, with the view to allowing a scale-up process, a methodology for identifying the extraction curves using neural networks based on wavelets was proposed. This showed good prediction performance provided that a sufficient number of extraction curves are used during training. The identification method proposed is robust, fast and optimal, in the sense that the best neural network structure and respective associated weights can be determined, thus optimizing a quadratic approximation criterion.

Antifreeze proteins in naturally cold acclimated leaves of Drimys angustifolia, Senecio icoglossus, and Eucalyptus ssp.

Summary Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) present in plants may inhibit ice recrystallization even at low concentrations, and show potential application to many frozen foods. This study evaluated the presence of antifreeze proteins in naturally cold acclimated and non-acclimated leaves of Drimys angustifolia, Senecio icoglossus and Eucalyptus ssp. No proteins were detected in apoplastic extracts of Eucalyptus ssp. Extracts of cold acclimated and non-acclimated S. icoglossus showed protein concentrations of 42.89 and 17.76 µg mL-1, both with bands between 25 and 37 kDa in the SDS-PAGE. However, they did not inhibit recrystallization. The extract of cold acclimated D. angustifolia contained a protein concentration of 95.17 µg mL-1, almost five times higher than the extract of non-acclimated D. angustifolia. In the extract of cold acclimated D. angustifolia, there was presence of ice recrystallization inhibitors. This extract showed a protein band just below 37 kDa and another more intense band between 20 and 25 kDa. It is the first time that the presence of antifreeze proteins in this species is being described.

EFEITO DO ÓLEO ESSENCIAL DAS FOLHAS DE Drimys angustifolia EM COLÔNIAS DE Acromyrmex spp. EM PLANTIO DE Pinus taeda

Formigas causam danos e perdas econômicas em florestas plantadas, principalmente em plantios de Pinus taeda, e no seu controle são utilizados agroquímicos que podem contaminar os processos ecológicos, sendo que a busca por formas alternativas de controle destes insetos nas atividades florestais é prática desejável. Entre as várias formas de controle alternativo existentes, como o manejo do habitat e o controle biológico, há o controle com a utilização de extratos e óleos essenciais obtidos de plantas com propriedades inseticidas. O objetivo principal deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do óleo essencial extraído das folhas de Drimys angustifolia, em colônias de formigas cortadeiras do gênero Acromyrmex spp., em plantio de P. taeda, como alternativa de controle. O óleo essencial foi aplicado em dois tratamentos com concentração de 100% e 10% no interior de oito formigueiros ativos com um pulverizador manual e comparado com quatro formigueiros de controle. O resultado final demonstrou que os oito formigueiros tratados com óleo estavam abandonados, evidenciando a potencial atividade do óleo essencial sobre as formigas, comparado com os formigueiros de controle que se mantiveram ativos. O óleo essencial de D. angustifolia apresentou potencial para ser aplicado como controle alternativo de formigas cortadeiras do gênero Acromyrmex. AbstractEffect of essential oil from leaves of Drimys angustifolia in colonies of Acromyrmex spp. in pinus taeda planting. Ants cause damage and economic losses in plantation forests, mainly in Pinus taeda; their control implies agrochemicals that can contaminate the ecological processes, and the search for alternative ways to control these insects in the forest activities is a desirable practice. Among the various existing alternative forms of control, such as the habitat management and biological control, there is the control with use of extracts and essential oils of plants with insecticidal properties. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of the essential oil extracted from the leaves of Drimys angustifolia, in colonies of leaf cutting ants of the genus Acromyrmex spp., in planting P. taeda, as an alternative control. The essential oil was applied in two treatments with 100% and 10% concentrations within eight active nests with a hand sprayer and compared with four nests as control. The final result showed that the eight nests treated with the oil were abandoned, highlighting the potential activity of the essential oil to ants, compared to control nests that remained active. The essential oil of D. angustifolia exhibited potential to be applied as alternative control of leaf-cutting ants of the genus Acromyrmex.Keywords: Leaf cutting ants; alternative control; extraction by steam distillation; bark-of-anta; secondary metabolites.

Anatomía y desarrollo de estambres y carpelos en Drimys granadensis (Winteraceae)

Winteraceae has long been considered a family with early diversification among angiosperms, with characters such as: flowers with many spirally arranged parts and apocarpic ovary formed by plicated carpels with sessile stigma. In Drimys, the presence or absence of conspicuous glands on the connective of the stamens have been used as a taxonomic character, and it is considered a synapomorphy for the clade including Drimys angustifolia, D. brasiliensis, D. granadensis and D. roraimensis (Northeastern clade); however, the anatomy of stamens and carpels has only been studied in detail for D. winteri (Southwestern clade). In this research, the presence and the structure of glands on the connective of stamens was studied in seven species of the genus from herbarium specimens, and a detailed study of the anatomy and development of stamens and carpels was carried out by scanning electron and optic microscopy in Drimys granadensis. We found similarities between D. granadensis and D. winteri for the following characters: Basic type anther wall formation, secretory tapetum that collapses at maturity, intermediate type microsporogenesis with formation of a transient cell plate in telophase I, ascidiated carpel due to the formation of an adaxial lip during development, stigma closed by interdigitation of epidermal cells. We also determined that the large glands on anther mature connective are originated by an overgrowth of subepidermal oil cells; this character is a Northeastern Drimys clade synapomorphy, while it was absent in both Drimys of Southwestern clade (which includes D. andina, D. confertifolia and D. winteri), and the rest of the Winteraceae. We are proposing the hypothesis that the highly variable enviromental conditions in the tropics where Drimys Northeastern clade is distributed, with a wide range of pollinators, would be associated with the emergence of glandular conspicuously stamens; while, as a prediction to be confirmed, temperated Southwestern clade species, without conspicuous glands, should have a smaller range of visitors and/or pollinators, or even be anemophilous species as Drimys confertifolia.

Biological assessment (antiviral and antioxidant) and acute toxicity of essential oils from Drimys angustifolia and D. brasiliensis

The genus Drimys presents the widest geographical distribution of the Winteraceae family, which comprises seven genera and about 120 species. In Brazil, the genus is found from Bahia to Rio Grande do Sul and occur in two species, Drimys angustifolia Miers, and D. brasiliensis Miers, Winteraceae, popularly known as “cascade- anta”, characterized by the presence of fl avonoids and essential oils. It is used in folk medicine as an antiscorbutic, stimulant, antispasmodic, anti-diarrheal, antipyretic, antibacterial, and against asthma and bronchitis, besides having insecticidal properties. In addition to the known biological activities, it is very important to explore new applications in the treatment of physiological disorders or diseases caused by parasites. Based on this information, in this study we propose to evaluate volatile oils of the species D. brasiliensis and D. angustifolia, as an antioxidant, using the model of the DPPH radical as an antiviral against human herpes virus type 1 (HSV-1) and acute toxicity in vivo. The two species were not able to reduce the DPPH radical and showed interesting antiviral activity, signifi cantly reducing the virus titers in vitro assays. Regarding the in vivo toxicity in female Wistar rats, treatment with the two species showed interesting signs in animals such as salivation, ptosis, tremor, decreased motor activity. In addition the oils of D. brasiliensis to other signs, some animals showed increased urination and diarrhea.

Citotoxic activity evaluation of essential oils and nanoemulsions of Drimys angustifolia and D. brasiliensis on human glioblastoma (U-138 MG) and human bladder carcinoma (T24) cell lines in vitro

The species Drimys angustifolia Miers and D. brasiliensis Miers, commonly known as “casca-de-anta”, have in their leaves essential oils that can confer cytotoxic effects. In this study, we evaluated the citotoxic effects of the volatile oils from these two species. We also proposed a nanoemulsion formulation for each of the species and assessed the in vitro cytotoxicity on U-138 MG (human glioblastoma) and T24 (human bladder carcinoma) cell lines. The plant chemical composition was evaluated by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer. Furthermore, the nanoemulsions were prepared and characterized. Our results showed that; bicyclogermacrene (19.6%) and cyclocolorenone (18.2%) were the most abundant for the D angustifolia oil and D brasiliensis oil, respectively. Both nanoemulsions, D angustifolia and D brasiliensis appeared macroscopically homogeneous and opalescent bluish liquids, with nanometric mean diameters of 168nm for D brasiliensis and 181nm for D angustifolia. The polydispersity indices were below 0.10, with an acid pH of 4.7–6.3, and negative zeta potentials about -34mV. The results of transmission electron microscopy showed that droplets are present in the nanometer range. Only the D brasiliensis oil was efficient in reducing the cell viability of both U-138 MG (42.5%±7.0 and 67.8%±7.8) and T24 (33.2%±2.8, 60.3%±1.6 and 80.5%±8.8) cell lines, as assessed by MTT assay. Noteworthy, similar results were obtained with cell counting. Finally, D brasiliensis oil incubation caused an increase of annexin-V and propidium iodite population, according to evaluation by cytometry analysis, what is characteristic of late apoptosis. The results presented herein lead us to consider the potential therapeutic effects of the essential oils and nanoformulations as novel strategies to inhibit tumor growth.

Chemical characterization of essential oils from Drimys angustifolia miers (Winteraceae) and antibacterial activity of their major compounds

Essential oils have been extensively studied in recent years as a natural source of new antimicrobial agents. In this work, essential oils of leaf and branch from Drimys angustifolia growing in Southern Brazil were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatographies with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and with mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Drimenol and bicyclogermacrene were isolated by column chromatography from branch and leaf essential oils, respectively. Oils, isolated compounds and combinations of them were assayed against Gram-(+) and Gram-(-) bacteria. The oils showed to be more active against Bacillus cereus, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 125 and 250 µg mL-1 for branch and leaf oils, respectively, strongly inhibiting bacterial growth. Bicyclogermacrene was more active then drimenol, providing a MIC value of 167 µg mL-1 against B. cereus. Synergism was not observed in any of the combinations tested.

Mathematical Modeling of Essential Oil Extraction by Steam Distillation for Native Plants from Southern Brazil

In this study, a desorption model to predict the essential oil extraction curves and global yield versus time was performed for extraction by steam distillation of three native plants of southern Brazil (Schinus molle L., Drimys angustifolia Miers., and Calyptranthes grandifolia O. Berg). The model assumed that the extractable materials were initially available uniformly in the vegetal matrix and adsorbed on the internal microstructures. The volatile extracts were obtained by steam distillation and the chemical composition was determined. The essential oil yields (w/w) were 0.4 %, 0.3 %, and 0.2 %, respectively, for S. molle, D. angustifolia, and C. grandifolia, and the major compounds identified by CG-MS were α-pinene, sabinene, bicyclogermacrene and spathulenol for all the plants here investigated. The desorption model fitted very well the overall extraction curves.

Estrutura arbórea da Floresta Ombrófila Densa Altomontana de serras do Sul do Brasil

O presente trabalho teve os objetivos de agrupar informações sobre a estrutura arbórea da floresta altomontana da Serra do Mar paranaense e de compará-las com as de florestas altomontanas de outras serras do Sul e Sudeste do Brasil. Foram realizados levantamentos fitossociológicos em diversas montanhas de quatro importantes serras (ou subserras) do Paraná. Nas quatro subserras foram amostrados 2294 indivíduos (PAP > 10 cm) pertencentes a 28 famílias, 43 gêneros e 78 espécies. Foi observada maior riqueza de espécies na amostragem da Serra Gigante (41 espécies), seguida pelas serras da Prata (37), da Igreja (34) e do Ibitiraquire (26). A altura média obtida para os indivíduos foi de 4,8 m, o PAP médio de 22,9 cm, a densidade média de 4779 ind/ha, a área basal média de 33,5 m²/ha e o índice de diversidade de Shannon total de 2,68 nat/ind. Agrupando informações de estudos realizados em outras subserras paranaenses, totalizando 11 levantamentos e 204 parcelas (10200 m²), obteve-se uma matriz com 75 espécies determinadas, onde as cinco com maior porcentagem de importância estrutural foram Ilex microdonta, Siphoneugena reitzii, Drimys angustifolia, Ocotea porosa e Ilex chamaedrifolia. Os trechos amostrados na Serra do Mar do Paraná, apresentaram menor riqueza e diversidade que os da Serra da Mantiqueira (MG) e maior que os dos Aparados da Serra Geral (SC). Tais diferenças, possivelmente, estão relacionadas às influências antrópicas, das distâncias geográficas, dos diferentes centros de endemismo, dos entornos tropicais ou subtropicais dominantes, das feições geomorfológicas, entre outros fatores.

Pharmacological and toxicological studies of Drimys angustifolia Miers. (Winteraceae)

Drimys angustifolia Miers. (Winteraceae) is a Brazilian medicinal plant used as analgesic, antiulcer and anti-inflammatory without studies to assure its efficacy and safety Leaf and stem bark extracts were evaluated to determine the antiulcer, analgesic, antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities. Preliminary toxic effects and qualitative phytochemical profile were also performed. The antiulcer activity was detected in both extracts. Administration of the leaf extract at 250 mg/kg inhibited total lesion area by 76.50% ( p < 0.01 in ethanol/HCl method), while carbenoxolone at 250 mg/kg reduced lesions by 69.48%. Stem bark extract (250 mg/kg) inhibited lesion by 81.42%, while carbenoxolone by 74.10%. Similar effects were observed in the ethanol-induced ulcer method, but no activity was observed in piroxican model. The effects involve nitric oxide in gastric protection, since the L-NAME treatment reversed the protection given by the extracts. Antioxidant effects suggest an involvement against oxidative stress. In the pain (writhing, tail-flick and hot-plate tests) and inflammation (carrageenan-induced paw edema) models, the extracts did not present any effect. The phytochemical studies demonstrated that both extracts contain flavonoids, saponins, glycosilated triterpenoids, fixed acids, cyanogenic glycosides, quinones, tannins, xanthone and steroidal aglycones. Toxicological studies showed that the extracts are safe at the effective antiulcer doses.

Comparative analysis of volatiles from Drimys brasiliensis Miers and D. angustifolia Miers (Winteraceae) from Southern Brazil

The essential oils obtained from Southern Brazilian native Drimys brasiliensis Miers and Drimys angustifolia Miers were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The oils from leaves of both species showed predominance of monoterpenoids, while the oils from stem barks were characterized by sesquiterpenoids. Bicyclogermacrene (20.0% in leaves and 25.4% in stem bark) and drimenol (1.4% in leaves and 26.2% in stem bark) were the most abundant in D. angustifolia, and cyclocolorenone (from 16.0% to 32.3% in fresh and dried leaves and almost 50% in stem bark) in D. brasiliensis. The oil from fruits of D. brasiliensis was also analyzed and presented 31.0% of cyclocolorenone. The predominance of this unusual aromadendrane-type sesquiterpene in D. brasiliensis essential oils could be used as a chemosystematic marker.