Lithrea Molleoides Research Articles

Charcoal anatomy of Brazilian species. I. Anacardiaceae.

Anthracological studies are firmly advancing in the tropics during the last decades. The theoretical and methodological bases of the discipline are well established. Yet, there is a strong demand for comparative reference material, seeking for an improvement in the precision of taxonomic determination, both in palaeoecological and palaeoethnobotanical studies and to help preventing illegal charcoal production. This work presents descriptions of charcoal anatomy of eleven Anacardiaceae species from six genera native to Brazil (Anacardium occidentale, Anacardium parvifolium, Astronium graveolens, Astronium lecointei, Lithrea molleoides, Schinus terebenthifolius, Spondias mombin, Spondias purpurea, Spondias tuberosa, Tapirira guianensis, and Tapirira obtusa). They are characterized by diffuse-porous wood, vessels solitary and in multiples, tyloses and spiral thickenings sometimes present; simple perforation plates, alternate intervessel pits, rounded vessel-ray pits with much reduced borders to apparently simple; parenchyma paratracheal scanty to vasicentric; heterocellular rays, some with radial canals and crystals; septate fibres with simple pits. These results are quite similar to previous wood anatomical descriptions of the same species or genera. Yet, charcoal identification is more effective when unknown samples are compared to charred extant equivalents, instead of to wood slides.

Composição florística de florestas em diferentes estágios de regeneração no Rio Grande do Sul

This study aimed to describe and compare the floristic composition and structure of tree and shrub vegetation, as well as identifying trends in the dynamics of species in forest fragments with different stages of regeneration. An inventory was conducted in the forest fragments, adopting the method of systematic sampling with sampling units (SUs) of fixed area, with dimensions of 20 x 10 m, distributed throughout the area. 23 SUs were allocated in the secondary forest fragment and 10 SUs in the capoeira fragment, which was held the vegetation survey three classes of inclusion: R1 (seedlings regeneration): h and ? 50cm DBH < 2 cm; R2 (established regeneration): DBH between 2 and 5 cm, and A (arboreal stratum): DBH ? 5 cm. 87 species were found belonging to 36 families. The floristic composition was similar in the arboreal stratum, showing Lithrea molleoides as the species most important in both fragments. The natural regeneration of forest was characterized by Psychotria leiocarpa and regeneration of capoeira by Myrcia oblongata. The differences observed between forests showed trends of changes in the woody component according to the natural dynamics of the species in the process of secondary succession.

Screening of native plants from central Argentina against the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex lundi (Guérin) and its symbiotic fungus

Leaf-cutting ants are major agricultural and forestry pests in the New World. Attempts to control them have most frequently involved the use of chemical insecticides, with mixed results. Among alternative methods, botanical pesticides may provide a sustainable and efficient control of leaf-cutting ants. In the present study, we screened the activity of plant extracts derived from 89 species native to Argentina, against the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex lundi (Guérin) and its mutualistic fungus, Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, through a pick-up assay and bioautography, respectively. The pick-up assay revealed moderate to strong anti-foraging activity for just over 13.5% of the assayed species, including complete ant foraging inhibition for Aristolochia argentina, Flourensia oolepis, Gaillardia megapotamica, Lantana grisebachii and Lithrea molleoides. Most plant extracts were well tolerated by fungi, with only 12.3% of the species tested showing some degree of fungus growth inhibition. Among these, A. argentina, F. oolepis and Pterocaulon alopecuroides were the strongest inhibitors, whereas Baccharis flabellata, Dalea elegans and Zanthoxylum coco revealed a more moderate activity. Only A. argentina and F. oolepis extracts showed strong antiforaging effects and affected fungus growth at the same time. Values of IC50 and MIC indicated that extracts inhibiting ant foraging at lower concentrations did not necessarily also inhibit fungus growth at lower doses. The active principle of A. argentina, on both ant foraging and fungal growth, was identified as argentilactone.

Diversidade de angiospermas e espécies medicinais de uma área de Cerrado

RESUMO Este trabalho teve como objetivo conhecer a diversidade vegetal de uma área de Cerrado em Prudente de Morais, MG, bem como suas indicações medicinais. Foram feitas nove excursões à reserva da Fazenda Experimental Santa Rita da Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais (FESR/EPAMIG) (19°26’20”’ S e 44°09’15”’ W). O material vegetal coletado foi herborizado, identificado e incorporado ao acervo do Herbário PAMG/EPAMIG. O sistema de classificação utilizado foi o APG III. Após a identificação, realizou-se uma pesquisa bibliográfica buscando dados sobre a utilização medicinal das espécies. Coletaram-se 108 espécies pertencentes a 47 famílias. As famílias mais representativas foram: Fabaceae, com 16 espécies, Myrtaceae com sete espécies, Asteraceae e Rubiaceae com seis espécies cada, Malpighiaceae e Solanaceae com cinco espécies cada, Erythroxylaceae, Euphorbiaceae e Vochysiaceae, com quatro espécies cada, Anacardiaceae, Apocynaceae, Lamiaceae e Sapindaceae com três espécies cada, Annonaceae, Arecaceae, Bignoniaceae, Celastraceae e Primulaceae com duas espécies cada. Vinte e nove famílias foram monoespecíficas. Das 108 espécies, 39 são árvores (36%), 43 arbustos (40%), seis subarbustos (5,5%), 14 lianas (13%) e seis são ervas (5,5%). Sessenta e seis (61%) espécies pertencentes a 39 famílias (83%) são utilizadas popularmente, para o tratamento de alguma doença. As famílias com maior número de espécies medicinais foram: Fabaceae com oito espécies; Rubiaceae com cinco espécies e Solanaceae com quatro espécies. As espécies que apresentaram mais finalidades terapêuticas foram: Brosimum gaudichaudii Trécul (Moraceae), Caryocar brasiliense Cambess. (Caryocaraceae), Cochlospermum regium (Mart. ex Schrank) Pilg. (Bixaceae), Croton urucurana Bail. (Euphorbiaceae), Gomphrena officinalis Mart. (Amaranthaceae), Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne (Fabaceae), Lithrea molleoides (Vell.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae), Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão (Anacardiaceae) e Randia. armata (Sw.) DC. (Rubiaceae). As finalidades terapêuticas que apresentaram maior número de espécies foram: tônico (15 spp., 22,7%), afecções do aparelho respiratório (13 spp., 19,6%), afecções da pele (12 spp., 18%) e febres (12 spp., 18%). O conhecimento tradicional sobre as plantas medicinais do cerrado deve ser mais investigado para que seja preservado, valorizado, e para que medidas conservacionistas sejam tomadas evitando que essas plantas desapareçam antes que sua utilização tradicional seja corroborada pela ciência.

Antinociceptive activity of aqueous extract and isolated compounds of Lithrea molleoides

Ethnopharmacological relevanceLithrea molleoides (Vell.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae) is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine in South America. Aim of the studyIn the present study, the in vivo antinociceptive effect of L. molleoides' aqueous extract and its isolated compounds has been investigated. Materials and MethodsAntinociceptive activity was evaluated through writhing, formalin and hot plate tests in mice. The phytochemical analysis was performed. ResultsThe extract produced significant inhibition on nociception induced by acetic acid (ED50: 8.7mg/kg, i.p.) and formalin (ED50: 7.7mg/kg, i.p.) administered intraperitoneally and also orally. Yohimbine diminished the activity of the extract in the acetic acid test meanwhile haloperidol enhanced its effect. Two majority compounds, shikimic and vanillic acid were active in chemical nociceptive models used in this work, producing the highest inhibition of the writhing response at a dose of 30mg/kg i.p. (55.4% and 57.1%, respectively) meanwhile at 100mg/kg p.o. produced a slight response (23.3% and 23.9%, respectively). ConclusionsThese results suggest that L. molleoides' aqueous extract produced antinociception possibly related to the presence of shikimic and vanillic acid. The adrenergic and dopaminergic systems seem to be involved in the mechanism of antinociception of the extract.

The leafmining Leurocephala schinusae (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae): not suitable for the biological control of Schinus terebinthifolius (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) in continental USA

The host range of Leurocephala schinusae Davis & Mc Kay (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) was studied to assess its suitability as a biological control agent of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae), a serious environmental weed in the USA and elsewhere in the world. The host range was determined in the laboratory with adult no-choice oviposition (Argentina and USA) and larval development tests (USA). Seventeen plant species in ten genera were selected based on taxonomic relatedness to S. terebinthifolius, economic importance, and availability. Additional information was obtained by sampling foliage of S. terebinthifolius and six other South American native Anacardiaceae species in north-eastern Argentina. In the laboratory, except for Lithrea molleoides and Spondias mombin, all of the tested species were accepted for oviposition with a marked preference for Rhus aromatica. Incipient mines successfully developed into complete mines, pupae and adults on R. aromatica, Rhus copallinum, Schinus molle, Schinus lentiscifolius and S. terebinthifolius. In the field, although L. schinusae showed a clear preference for S. terebinthifolius, the host range, as determined by samples of host use in the native range, included three other Schinus species (S. lentiscifolius, Schinus longifolius, Schinus weinmannifolius) and one Astronium species (Astronium balansae). In conclusion, L. schinusae will not be considered for the biological control of S. terebinthifolius in continental US. However, the utilisation of this species in other infested areas such as Hawaii and Australia should be further discussed.

Estrutura do componente arbóreo de uma floresta estacional decidual ripária em Jaguari, RS

Este estudo analisou a estrutura do componente arbóreo de uma mata ciliar, no município de Jaguari, RS. A amostragem foi realizada em 15 parcelas de 10mx10m instaladas ao longo da mata ciliar de um afluente do rio Jaguari. Nessas parcelas, foram identificados e medidos os indivíduos com diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP) maior ou igual a 5cm. Podocarpus lambertii, Sebastiania commersoniana e Lithrea molleoides foram as espécies mais representativas da mata ciliar. A distribuição diamétrica do componente arbóreo e das espécies lenhosas de maior valor de importância (VI) seguiu o padrão comum a florestas inequiânias, com tendência à forma de "J" invertido, e revelou uma estrutura não balanceada, indicando que não há equilíbrio entre as taxas de mortalidade e recrutamento de indivíduos. A estrutura vertical e as espécies de maior VI apresentaram tendência à distribuição normal, com a maioria dos indivíduos posicionada nas classes intermediárias de altura.

Inhibition of development, swarming differentiation and virulence factors in Proteus mirabilis by an extract of Lithrea molleoides and its active principle (Z,Z)-5-(trideca-4’,7’-dienyl)-resorcinol

Antibacterial activity of Lithrea molleoides extract against Proteus mirabilis has been previously reported by our group. In the present study, the compound (Z,Z)-5-(trideca-4',7'-dienyl)-resorcinol (1) was isolated as its responsible active principle. The effects of the compound obtained and of L. molleoides extract on P. mirabilis growth and virulence factors were evaluated. Compound 1 showed MIC and MBC values of 4000 μg/ml. It was found that the extract, at four times the MIC, produced complete killing of the uropathogen at 2h from the beginning of the experiment, while the alkylresorcinol, at four times the MIC, produced the same effect after 24 h. Hemolysis was adversely affected in treatments with both products at 8 μg/ml, while hemagglutination was not altered. The whole extract induced complete autoaggregation of P. mirabilis at 2000 μg/ml, while compound 1 at the same concentration did not show this property. Swarming motility was delayed in treatments with the extract and with 1 at 1000 and 8 μg/ml, respectively, at 8h from the beginning of the assay. Complete inhibition of the phenomenon was still observed after 24 h when compound 1 was added at 125 μg/ml. These findings offer the possibility of new classes of antimicrobial medicines to tackle infections caused by P. mirabilis.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Lithrea molleoides extracts and isolated active compounds

In this study the anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous, dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂) and methanolic (MeOH) extracts and two major compounds isolated from Lithrea molleoides (Vell.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae) were evaluated. Two classical experimental models were used, carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13 acetate (TPA) induced mouse ear edema. MeOH extracts exhibited a significant systemical anti-inflammatory effect in the carrageenan (inhibition of 46% at 3 h) and in the TPA-ear edema test (inhibition of 21%). The presence of methyl gallate (inhibition of 63% in TPA ear edema), as one of the main compounds in the active fraction from MeOH extract may be explained the effect observed. Also, 1,3-dihydroxy-(Z,Z)-5-(tridec-4',7́dienyl) benzene obtained from CH₂Cl₂ extract showed a significant topical anti-inflammatory activity (inhibition of 68%). Furthermore, no signs of toxicity were observed with doses up to 3g/kg in an acute toxicity assay. The results of this study present evidence that Lithrea molleoides given either systemically or topically has anti-inflammatory properties.

Antibacterial Activity of Extracts from Plants of Central Argentina—Isolation of an Active Principle fromAchyrocline satureioides

The great increase in bacterial infections is fueling interest in the search for antibacterial products of plant origin. Extracts obtained from 51 native and naturalized plants from central Argentina were therefore evaluated for their IN VITRO inhibitory activity on pathogenic bacteria with the aim of selecting the most active ones as new sources of effective antibiotics. The susceptibility of reference and clinical strains of Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis, and Staphylococcus aureus was determined. Extracts from Achyrocline satureioides, Flourensia oolepis, Lepechinia floribunda, and Lithrea molleoides were the most potent, with MIC and MBC values ranging from 0.006 to 2 and 0.012 to 10 mg/mL, respectively, on both gram-positive and negative bacteria. The antibacterial activity-guided isolation of A. satureioides ethanol extract showed 23-methyl-6-O-desmethylauricepyrone (1) to be the most active compound. This compound showed inhibitory effects against gram-positive bacteria with MIC and MBC values of 0.002 and 0.008 mg/mL, respectively, while on gram-negative strains, the MIC and MBC were 0.062-0.250 and 0.062-0.500 mg/mL, respectively. The strong antibacterial activity shown by the four plant extracts or the compound isolated from A. satureioides suggests that they could become part of the arsenal of antibacterial drugs currently used.

Tyrosinase inhibitory activity of native plants from central Argentina: Isolation of an active principle from Lithrea molleoides

Screening of 91 native plants from central Argentina was carried out with the aim of finding new sources of anti-tyrosinase compounds. Extracts obtained from Achyrocline satureioides, Artemisia verlotiorum, Cotoneaster glaucophylla, Dalea elegans, Flourensia campestris, Jodina rhombifolia, Kageneckia lanceolata, Lepechinia floribunda, Lepechinia meyenii, Lithrea molleoides, Porlieria microphylla, Pterocaulon alopecuroides, Ruprechtia apetala, Senna aphylla, Sida rhombifolia, Solanum argentinum, Tagetes minuta and Thalictrum decipiens exhibited more than 90% inhibition of tyrosinase monophenolase activity at 1000 μg ml −1. D. elegans, L. meyenii and L. molleoides were the most potent with IC 50 values of 0.48, 10.43 and 3.77 μg ml −1, respectively. D. elegans, L. molleoides and T. decipiens also showed more than 90% inhibition of diphenolase activity at 1000 μg ml −1, with the first of these being the most effective (IC 50 = 49.27 μg ml −1). (Z,Z)-5-(trideca-4,7-dienyl)-resorcinol ( 1) was isolated from L. molleoides as an effective tyrosinase inhibitor with l-tyrosine or l-DOPA as substrates (IC 50 = 0.49 and 14.94 μg ml −1, respectively). Compound 1 was 37 times more active in monophenolase inhibitory activity than kojic acid used as a reference. Effective extracts as well as (Z,Z)-5-(trideca-4,7-dienyl)-resorcinol could prove to be promising preservative agents for use in the food industry.

In vitro antifungal assay of traditional Argentine medicinal plants

Methanol extracts from 11 traditionally used Argentine medicinal plants were assayed in vitro for antifungal activity against yeasts, hialohyphomycetes as well as dermatophytes with the microbroth dilution method. Among them, the strongest effect was presented by Eupatorium buniifolium and Terminalia triflora, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum being the most susceptible species with MICs ranging from 100 to 250 μg/ml. Lithrea molleoides showed the broadest spectrum of action inhibiting all of the tested dermatophytes with MIC = 250 μg/ml.

The jumping plant-lice (Hemiptera, Psylloidea) associated with Schinus (Anacardiaceae): systematics, biogeography and host plant relationships

The gall-forming psylloid fauna associated with the temperate Neotropical plant genus Schinus (Anacardiaceae) is revised, and keys are provided for adults, larvae and galls. Fourteen species are recognized in the genus Calophya (Calophyidae), 10 of which are described as new; C. gallifex and C. schini are reinstated from former synonymy with C. rubra. An additional closely related new species, C. clavuligera sp. n., is described from Lithrea spp. In the genus Tainarys (Psyllidae, Rhinocolinae), six species are recognized and, for five of these, Schinus species are confirmed hosts. Two of them are described as new and one is recombined from Leurolophus. A new Leurolophus species is described from Lithrea molleoides. Based on a cladistic analysis Pelmatobrachia, Microceropsylla and Neocalophya are synonymized with Calophya, producing five new and one revised species combinations as well as one nomen nov. A list of the 59 currently recognized species is provided with information on synonymy, distribution and host plants. The cladistic analyses suggest that the Schinus inhabiting calophyids form two monophyletic groups, the C. rubra and C. hermicitae groups, respectively. A discriminant analysis of 15 variables for both males and females provides morphometric characters for separating the morphologically very homogenous adults of the C. rubra group. The phylogenetic relationships of the Rhinocolinae are re-evaluated, and the genera Tainarys and Leurolophus are redefined. Notophyllura is transferred from the Euphyllurinae to the Rhinocolinae. Tainarys forms the sister group of Leurolophus + Notophyllura. Based on mapped distributions four areas of endemism (distribution) are defined: A (Eastern temperate South America), B (Central and Southern Chile, including adjacent parts of Argentina), C (Central Argentina) and D (Peru, Far Northern Chile, and Eastern Bolivia). Cladistic biogeographical analyses with TAS, COMPONENT and an algorithm by Enghoff yielded the general area cladogram (A +(C +(B +D))); the one calculated with BPA differed in the position of D: (D +(A +(B +C))). The reconstruction of vicariant events using a protocol by Hovenkamp, corroborates the former general area cladogram, which is compared to competing hypotheses. The history of dispersal and vicariance events is reconstructed with the programme DIVA. Evidence for cospeciation of Schinus with its associated psylloids is evaluated with COMPONENT and TREE MAP. The likelihood for cospeciation is high in the Calophya hermicitae group, but low in the Calophya rubra group and in Tainarys. The gall shape depends partly from the psylloid, partly from the Schinus phylogeny.