Native foods from Brazilian biodiversity as a source of bioactive compounds

AbstractThe interest in South American native plant species has been growing in recent years due to their health benefits. Brazil is one of the world's mega-diverse locations with over 40,000 different plant species representing 20% of the world's flora. The country was visited in the 19th century by European travelers and naturalists, who described the use of native plant species as food. In this study, data on 67 species was recovered from historical documents and bibliographies. Several of the recorded species show potential as functional food in laboratory studies. Other species are unknown or not yet submitted to any study, in order to verify their health benefits

Morpho-anatomy and chemical profi le of native species used as substitutes of quina (Cinchona spp.) in Brazilian traditional medicine. Part I: Polyouratea hexasperma

This research is part of a larger study of the Brazilian species that are commonly referred to as quinas and are usually used as substitute of Cinchona species. The purpose of the present study was the botanical characterization of the whole and powdered stem bark of Polyouratea hexasperma (A. St.-Hil.) Tiegh., Ochnaceae, by morphological and anatomical description, and the analysis of its chemical profile. The external texture of the bark, the whitened pit in the inner bark and the presence of cristarque cells, as well as the shape and arrangement of other lignified cells, are the most important macroscopic and microscopic features for the characterization of the bark. Chlorogenic and cafeic acids were detected in the chemical analysis and can also be used in the identification of the bark. Keywords: bark anatomy, chemical analysis, cristarque cells, sclereids, phenolic acid

Morpho-anatomy and chemical profile of native species used as substitute of quina (Cinchona spp.) in Brazilian traditional medicine. Part II: Remijia ferruginea

This research is part of a larger study of the Brazilian species that are commonly referred to as “quinas” and used as substitute of Cinchona species. In this study, we have performed the botanical characterization of the stem bark of Remijia ferruginea (A. St.-Hil.) DC., Rubiaceae, by morphological and anatomical description, and the analysis of its chemical profile. Stem bark is thin and has the color and the texture of its external and internal surfaces as diagnostic features. Types and sizes of sclerified cells in the cortical parenchyma and in the secondary phloem are important features for analysis of the transversal sections and in the macerate. Alkaloids, flavonoids and chlorogenic acid were detected in the chemical analysis for TLC. These standard references can be used in the quality control of the bark of quinas. Keywords: Stem bark anatomy, Quality control, Quinine derivative

Useful Brazilian plants listed in the manuscripts and publications of the Scottish medic and naturalist George Gardner (1812–1849).

AbstractEthnopharmacological relevanceInformation regarding the beneficial use of native Brazilian plants was compiled by a number of European naturalists in the 19th century. The Scottish surgeon botanist George Gardner (1812–1849) was one such naturalist; however, the useful plants recorded in his manuscripts have not yet been studied in depth.Aim of the studyTo present data recorded by Gardner in his manuscript Catalogue of Brazilian Plants regarding the use of native plants by Brazilian people and evaluate the extent to which they have been explored.Materials and methodsData on useful plants were obtained from Gardner׳s manuscript Catalogue of Brazilian Plants deposited in the Archives of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK. The identification of each plant was determined and/or updated by consulting the preserved botanical collections of Gardner deposited in the Herbarium of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (hereafter K), and expert determinations in other herbaria where duplicates are held. Correlated pharmacological studies for each plant were obtained from the PubMed database. Information recorded in Gardner׳s diary and previously published elsewhere complemented these data.ResultsA total of 63 useful plants was recorded from the Catalogue and a further 30 from Gardner׳s book Travels in the Interior of Brazil (Gardner, 1846). Of the recorded names in the Catalogue, 46 (73%) could be identified to species by consulting specimens collected by Gardner and held at Kew. Thirty-six different traditional uses were registered for the identified plants, the most common being as febrifuges, to treat venereal complaints and as purgatives. Fewer than 50% of these species have been the focus of published pharmacological studies, yet for those which have been thus investigated, the efficacies reported by Gardner were confirmed.ConclusionThe data recorded by Gardner represent a rich, relatively unexplored source of information regarding the traditional uses of Brazilian plants which merits further investigation