ESTUDIO FLORÍSTICO DEL CERRO ACATÍ-2, COLONIA INDEPENDENCIA, DEPARTAMENTO GUAIRÁ, PARAGUAY

This work has been developed within the framework of the “Conservation Project, Strengthening and Sustainable Use of the flora of Ita Azul and San Gervasio, Colonia Independencia, Ybytyruzu Managed Resources Reserve, Paraguay” and aimed to determine the vascular flora and identify the main plant formations of Acatí hill, Itá Azul, Colonia Independencia, Guairá Department, Paraguay. Collections were made at different times during the years 2012 and 2014 in the study area. Herbarium specimens were identified and deposited at the herbarium FCQ. As result, two vegetation, prevailing, maintaining its pristine features, but with evidence of extraction by forestry and land use for agriculture and livestock were identified. These formations are the primary naturally low forest and gallery forest. A total of specimens were collected,54 families, 139 genera, 176 species, 3 variety and 1 subspecie. The better represented families are: Asteraceae, 18 genera and 21 species), Fabaceae, (11 genera and 13 species), Rubiaceae, (7 genera and 10 species), Myrtaceae (6 genera and 8 species), Apocynaceae (4 genera and 4 species), Rutaceae (4 genera and 5 species). Of the species collected, 82 species are herb, 49 are arboreal and 35 shrubbery.El presente trabajo se desarrolló en el marco del “Proyecto Conservación, Fortalecimiento y Uso Sostenible de la flora de Itá Azul y San Gervasio, Colonia Independencia, Reserva de Recursos Manejados Ybytyruzu, Paraguay”, el objetivo fue determinar el estudio florístico del cerro Acatí-2, ubicado en Itá Azul, Colonia Independencia, del Departamento de Guairá, Paraguay. Se realizaron recolecciones en diferentes épocas climáticas durante los años 2012 y 2014. Los ejemplares herborizados se identificaron y depositaron en el herbario de la Facultad de Ciencias Químicas (FCQ). Se determinaron dos formaciones vegetales en el área de muestreo el bosque alto y el bosque marginal. Se identificaron en total 54 familias, 139 géneros, 176 especies, tres variedades, y una subespecie. Las familias con mayor número de géneros y especies fueron, Asteraceae (18 géneros y 21 especies), Fabaceae (11 géneros y 13 especies), Rubiaceae (siete géneros y 10 especies), Myrthaceae (seis géneros y ocho especies), Apocynaceae (cuatro géneros y cuatro es-pecies), Rutaceae (cuatro géneros y cinco especies). De las especies 82 son hierbas, 49 árboles y 35 arbustos

Antinociceptive and gastroprotective actions of ethanolic extract from Pluchea sagittalis (Lam.) Cabrera

AbstractEthnopharmacological relevancePluchea sagittalis, an herbaceous plant widely distributed in South America, is used in folk medicine for the treatment of digestive diseases and inflammation.Aim of the studyThis study was designed to investigate the antinociceptive and gastroprotective effects of the ethanolic extract (EE) of aerial parts from Pluchea sagittalis in rodents.Materials and methodsThe antinociceptive effects of EE was evaluated in mice after oral administration in chemical tests (acetic-acid, glutamate and formalin) or by biting behavior following intrathecal administration of cytokines such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in mice. Furthermore, rats were treated with EE and subsequently exposed to acute gastric lesions induced by 80% ethanol. Afterwards the gastric lesion extension and the mucus levels of gastric mucosa were measured.ResultsThe oral administration of EE showed a dose-dependent inhibition of acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions and glutamate-induced pain in mice, with ID50 values of 624.0 (523.0–746.0)mg/kg and 368.0 (216.0–628.0)mg/kg, respectively. In the formalin test, the EE also produced significant inhibition of the inflammatory phase, with an ID50 value of 411.0 (183.0–721.0) mg/kg; however, it was ineffective in the neurogenic phase caused by formalin. In addition, oral treatment with EE caused a significant inhibition of biting behavior induced by i.t. injection of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The antinociception caused by the EE (300mg/kg, p.o.) was not reversed by naloxone (1mg/kg, i.p.) when assessed in the acetic acid writhing test. The EE (300–1000mg/kg, p.o.) did not affect the motor coordination of animals in an open-field model. Oral treatment with the EE protected rats against gastric lesions induced by ethanol, with an ID50 value of 55.0 (46.6–64.9)mg/kg, and increased the mucus levels of gastric mucosa to levels found in the non-lesioned group.ConclusionsThe mechanism by which the extract produced antinociception still remains unclear, but this effect seems to be primarily related to the modulation or inhibition of the action of pro-inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, these data support, at least in part, the ethnomedical use of Pluchea sagittalis

MORFOLOGÍA VEGETAL COMO HERRAMIENTA PARA LA IDENTIFICACIÓN DE ADULTERANTES EN LOS FRUTOS COMERCIALIZADOS COMO “anís verde”, Pimpinella anisum L. (Apiaceae)

Plant morphology as a tool for the identification of adulterants in the fruit marketed as “anise”, Pimpinella anisum L. (Apiaceae). Paraguay is characterized by a population that consumes largely medicinal plants for the treatment of various conditions. However, in our country there is not well-established legislation regarding the control of these products and, within this context, the question arises: the population knows what is consuming? Such situation creates a fertile ground for adulteration and substitution of all kinds. This work was developed within the framework of the project: “Identification of adulterants and foreign matter in medicinal fruits, marketed in main herbalists of Asuncion and Great Asuncion, as a contribution to the quality control of herbal drugs”, funded by the Rectorado of the National University of Asuncion, and aimed to determine the presence of adulterants in the fruits marketed as “anise” Pimpinella anisum L. in main herbalists of Asuncion and Great Asuncion, using plant morphology as a tool. For this sample, the fruits of “anise” of herbalists were acquired and then analyzed in the laboratory. Two adulterants species of “anise” were identified: seeds of “sesame”, Sesamum indicum and fruits of “kuratú” Coriandrum sativum; all samples showed in his one of these adulterants or even both composition, however, all sold at different prices, some even three times the value than others. Thus, morphological analysis can provide useful data when performing quality control of herbal drugs, to provide population security in what is consuming