Ethnopharmacology in the Vicinity of the Botanical Garden of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil

This study aimed to collect ethnopharmacological data in communities in the vicinity of the Botanical Garden of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora regarding the use of medicinal plants, and to scientifically validate the information with the scientific literature, aiming to inform the future planting of a community medicinal garden. Data and botanical material were collected with the population and key informants. The collected material was identified and registered at the CESJ herbarium. The informant community identified 104 medicinal species, with 25 species highlighted for further analysis based on consensus by a subset of key informants. The use-value and agreement regarding the main use of each species were calculated, and the primary use was validated through scientific literature. From statistical analysis and pharmacological confirmations of the listed species, we found that Mentha spicata L., Vernonanthura phosphorica (Vell.) H.Rob., and Gossypium hirsutum L. were considered the most important species relative to use-value among the 25 listed species that could be used in the proposed community medicinal garden. Sixteen species were scientifically confirmed regarding agreement and main use. Among the plants with the highest agreement taking into account the main use index, only V. phosphorica showed no concordance between popular knowledge and academic science

Local ecological knowledge and its relationship with biodiversity conservation among two Quilombola groups living in the Atlantic Rainforest, Brazil

Information on the knowledge, uses, and abundance of natural resources in local communities can provide insight on conservation status and conservation strategies in these locations. The aim of this research was to evaluate the uses, knowledge and conservation status of plants in two Quilombolas (descendants of slaves of African origin) communities in the Atlantic rainforest of Brazil, Sao Sebastiao da Boa Vista (SSBV) and Sao Bento (SB). We used a combination of ethnobotanical and ecological survey methods to ask: 1) What ethnobotanical knowledge do the communities hold? 2) What native species are most valuable to them? 3) What is the conservation status of the native species used? Thirteen local experts described the names and uses of 212 species in SSBV (105 native species) and 221 in SB (96 native species). Shannon Wiener diversity and Pielou's Equitability indices of ethnobotanical knowledge of species were very high (5.27/0.96 and 5.28/0.96, respectively). Species with the highest cultural significance and use-value indexes in SSBV were Dalbergia hortensis (26/2.14), Eremanthus erythropappus (6.88/1), and Tibouchina granulosa (6.02/1); while Piptadenia gonoacantha (3.32/1), Sparattosperma leucanthum (3.32/1) and Cecropia glaziovii (3.32/0.67) were the highest in SB. Thirty-three native species ranked in the highest conservation priority category at SSBV and 31 at SB. D. hortensis was noteworthy because of its extremely high cultural importance at SSBV, and its categorization as a conservation priority in both communities. This information can be used towards generating sustainable use and conservation plans that are appropriate for the local communities.Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ecologia of Universidade Federal de Juiz de ForaCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)University of Hawaii at ManoaUniv Fed Juiz de Fora, Dept Bot, Juiz De Fora, MG, BrazilUniv Hawaii Manoa, Dept Bot, Honolulu, HI 96822 USACtr Ensino Super Juiz de Fora, Dept Ciencias Biol, Juiz De Fora, MG, BrazilUniv Fed Fluminense, Dept Quim Organ, Niteroi, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Juiz de Fora, Dept Geog, Juiz De Fora, MG, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Ambientais, Diadema, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Ambientais, Diadema, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Pereskia aculeata Miller leaves present in vivo topical anti-inflammatory activity in models of acute and chronic dermatitis

AbstractEthnopharmacological relevance: The leaves of Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae), known as Barbados gooseberry, are used in Brazilian traditional medicine as emollients and to treat skin wounds and inflammation. This study investigated the topical anti-inflammatory activity of the hexane fraction (HF) obtained from the methanol extract of the leaves of this species in models of acute and chronic ear dermatitis in mice.Material and methods: Mice ear edema was induced by topical application of croton oil, arachidonic acid, capsaicin, ethyl-phenylpropiolate and phenol; and by subcutaneous injection of histamine. Ear biopsies were obtained to determine the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α cytokines by ELISA assay. Histopathological analysis was also performed to evaluate the HF activity in croton oil multiple application test. In addition, acute dermal irritation/corrosion test in rats was accomplished. HF chemical characterization was performed by GC–MS analysis.Results: HF intensively reduced the inflammatory process induced by all irritant agents used, except for arachidonic acid. This activity is related, at least in part, to the reduction of IL-6 and TNF-α cytokines levels. Moreover, when the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone was used, HF failed to respond to the croton oil application.The results strongly suggested a glucocorticoid-like effect, which was reinforced by the presence of considerable amounts of sterol compounds identified in HF. The acute dermal irritaton/corrosion test showed no signs of toxicity.Conclusions: This study showed that the acute and chronic anti-inflammatory activity of P. aculeata leaves is very promising, and corroborates to better understand their ethnopharmacological applications

Avaliação do perfil químico e citotóxico de Jatropha multifida L. (Euphorbiaceae) / Chemical and citotoxic perfil evaluation of Jatropha multifida L. (Euphorbiaceae)

Afim de investigar os fitoconstituintes Jatropha multifida L. no processo de cicatrização de feridas, foram avaliados extratos orgânicos e aquosos da presente espécie. O extrato hexânico de folhas (MMFH) foi obtido por maceração e avaliado por cromatografia com fase gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas e o extrato aquoso de folhas (MMFA)foi obtido por infusão e avaliado por cromatografia de alta eficiência acoplada ao fotoarranjo diodo. MMFH demostrou a presença de alcanos, ésteres, tocoferois, esteroides e triterpenos, enquanto que MMFA apresentou arilpropanoides e flavonoides. As analises in silico revelaram propriedades promissoras dos triterpenos majoritários presentes em MMFH em relação ao processo de cicatrização. A citoxidez avaliada sobre a viabilidade celular de fibroblastos murinos (3T3) pelo ensaio de MTT revelou que MMFH contribuiu para o aumento da proliferação celular desta linhagem, sendo os triterpenos lupeol e lupenona os prováveis responsáveis por essa atividade. Conclui-se que a espécie J. multifida não apresenta atividade citotóxica frente à linhagem celular testada e que a contribuição no aumento da proliferação da mesma pode estar envolvido na atividade cicatrizante dessa espécie

In vitro assessment of the antimicrobial effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel decoction on saliva samples

Several products have been developed to eliminate or reduce potential pathogenic microorganisms of the oral microbiome. The continuous use of these synthetic products can result in side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, darkening of the teeth and the induction of microbial resistance. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel decoction was tested to assess its antimicrobial activity. In vitro analysis showed the decoction had antimicrobial activity against strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans, but none was detected against Enterococcus faecalis. When tested on saliva samples from children, the decoction showed great potential in reducing the load of microorganisms, the inhibition haloes produced with saliva samples being similar to those of the antimicrobial control (0.12% chlorhexidine). The pomegranate peel decoction in water could thus provide a promising source for developing solutions for use against oral diseases

Two hundred and one native species cited as useful by the São Sebastião da Boa Vista (SSBV) and São Bento (SB) communities, in alphabetical order of botanical families, followed by vernacular name, species habit (Hab), use categories (Categ), plant part used, and voucher number.

<p>Two hundred and one native species cited as useful by the São Sebastião da Boa Vista (SSBV) and São Bento (SB) communities, in alphabetical order of botanical families, followed by vernacular name, species habit (Hab), use categories (Categ), plant part used, and voucher number.</p

Local ecological knowledge and its relationship with biodiversity conservation among two <i>Quilombola</i> groups living in the Atlantic Rainforest, Brazil

<div><p>Information on the knowledge, uses, and abundance of natural resources in local communities can provide insight on conservation status and conservation strategies in these locations. The aim of this research was to evaluate the uses, knowledge and conservation status of plants in two Quilombolas (descendants of slaves of African origin) communities in the Atlantic rainforest of Brazil, São Sebastião da Boa Vista (SSBV) and São Bento (SB). We used a combination of ethnobotanical and ecological survey methods to ask: 1) What ethnobotanical knowledge do the communities hold? 2) What native species are most valuable to them? 3) What is the conservation status of the native species used? Thirteen local experts described the names and uses of 212 species in SSBV (105 native species) and 221 in SB (96 native species). Shannon Wiener diversity and Pielou’s Equitability indices of ethnobotanical knowledge of species were very high (5.27/0.96 and 5.28/0.96, respectively). Species with the highest cultural significance and use-value indexes in SSBV were <i>Dalbergia hortensis</i> (26/2.14), <i>Eremanthus erythropappus</i> (6.88/1), and <i>Tibouchina granulosa</i> (6.02/1); while <i>Piptadenia gonoacantha</i> (3.32/1), <i>Sparattosperma leucanthum</i> (3.32/1) and <i>Cecropia glaziovii</i> (3.32/0.67) were the highest in SB. Thirty-three native species ranked in the highest conservation priority category at SSBV and 31 at SB. <i>D</i>. <i>hortensis</i> was noteworthy because of its extremely high cultural importance at SSBV, and its categorization as a conservation priority in both communities. This information can be used towards generating sustainable use and conservation plans that are appropriate for the local communities.</p></div

Aerial overview of the communities.

<p>A: São Sebastião da Boa Vista; B: São Bento.</p

Comparison of ethnobotanical diversity indices compiled from studies of traditional communities in Brazil.

<p>Comparison of ethnobotanical diversity indices compiled from studies of traditional communities in Brazil.</p