Biological Assessments of Baccharis dracunculifolia DC from a Cerrado fragment in Central-West Brazil

Baccharis dracunculifolia is used as an herbal medicine, and green propolis, synthesized by Apis mellifera bees from it, has inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial principles. This bee product is effective in combating a series of microorganisms in folk medicine, so it is essential to develop research to prove this effectiveness. The objectives of the work were to analyze the microbiological profile, dose the flavonoids and verify the plant\u27s antioxidant activity. The aerial parts were collected in a fragment of cerrado sul-mato-grossense and processed, obtaining extracts with hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol. For microbiological analysis, Staphylococcus aureus bacteria was seeded in agar and filter discs were soaked with the extracts and, together with the control group, were placed in Petri dishes for subsequent measurement of inhibition halos. To measure the flavonoids and evaluate the antioxidant activity, processed leaves were taken to Soxhlet for extraction in methanol. An aliquot was read in a spectrophotometer with different concentrations of quercetin to build a standard curve. The antioxidant assay was based on the radical reduction and development method using DPPH. As a result, all extracts showed inhibition of bacterial growth, indicating antimicrobial activity of the plant. Flavonoids with satisfactory antioxidant activity were also found. Taking into account that B. dracunculifolia is used as a medicinal plant, studies such as this one can corroborate with such use, since the scientific proof of possible herbal medicines is essential for the pharmaceutical industry and for health professionals, contributing to the evolution of medicine

Toxicidade do extrato aquoso das folhas de Anacardium humile para Bemisia tuberculata Toxicity of aqueous extract of Anacardium humile leaves on Bemisia tuberculata

A mosca-branca Bemisia tuberculata (Bondar, 1923) (Hem.: Aleyrodidae) é uma das principais pragas da cultura da mandioca no Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul; no entanto, não há produtos registrados para seu controle. Produtos vegetais podem constituir em alternativa viável de controle de insetos e, por sua fotodegradabilidade, diminuir os riscos ao ambiente e ao homem. Objetivou-se, por meio deste trabalho, avaliar o efeito do extrato aquoso do "cajuzinho-do-cerrado" Anacardium humile St Hill (Anacardeaceae), nas concentrações de 2,0; 0,8; 0,4 e 0,05%, sobre a biologia de B. tuberculata, bem como identificar a classe de metabólitos secundários presentes no referido extrato. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, sob temperatura de 26&plusmn;4&deg;C. O extrato aquoso de A. humile causou aumento da duração da fase larval e mortalidade significativamente superior à testemunha em todas as concentrações testadas. Concluiu-se que o extrato aquoso de folhas de A. humile provoca mortalidade em ninfas de B. tuberculata e alongamento da fase das ninfas sobreviventes. O extrato aquoso de folhas de A. humile apresenta taninos, açúcares redutores e saponinas, e o seu índice de espuma (Índice Afrosimétrico) é de 1250.<br>The whitefly Bemisia tuberculata (Bondar, 1923) (Hem.: Aleyrodidae) is the main pest of cassava crops in Mato Grosso do Sul state, however there are no products registered for its control. Plant products may represent a viable alternative for insect pest control and, due to their photo-degradability, they may reduce risks to the environment and to man. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of "cajuzinho-do-cerrado" Anacardium humile St Hill (Anacardeaceae) aqueous leaf extract on the biology of B. tuberculata at the concentrations 2.0; 0.8; 0.4; 0.05%, as well as to identify the class of secondary metabolites present in the referred extract. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse at a temperature of 26&plusmn;4&deg;C. The aqueous extract of A. humile caused an increase in the duration of the larval phase and a significantly higher mortality rate than the control at all the tested concentration levels. It was concluded that the aqueous extract of A. humile leaves causes mortality in B. tuberculata nymphs and the prolongation of the nymph phase in surviving insects. The aqueous extract of A. humile leaves contains tannin, reducing sugars and saponins, and the foaming rate (Afrosymmetric Rate) is 1250

Atividade larvicida do óleo de Anacardium humile Saint Hill sobre Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera, Culicidae) Larvicidal activity of Anacardium humile Saint Hill oil on Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera, Culicidae)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o potencial do cajuzinho do cerrado (Anacardium humile) sobre larvas de Aedes aegypti. Os extratos hexânico, etanólico, aquoso e o óleo das folhas foram obtidos do material vegetal coletado em fragmento de cerrado. Estes foram testados nas concentrações 1%; 0,5%, 0,25%, 0,125%, 0,05% e 0,0125% diluídas em dimetil sulfóxido 1%. A contagem das larvas mortas foi realizada após 24 horas. Utilizou-se o método Probit de análise para obtenção das CL50 e respectivos intervalos de confiança. Conclui-se que apenas o óleo extraído de folhas de Anacardium humile causa 100% de mortalidade em larvas de 4º estádio de Aedes aegypti nas concentrações até 0,125%, o que parece indicar que os ingredientes ativos estão na fase mais apolar. O que indica a potencialidade de uso da planta como larvicida de Aedes aegypti, entretanto, novos testes deverão ser conduzidos utilizando outros órgãos vegetais, assim como outros métodos e solventes utilizados na extração.The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of Anacardium humile (monkey nuts) against Aedes aegypti larvae. Hexane, ethanol and aqueous extracts and oil from leaves were obtained from plant material collected from the Brazilian savanna. These were tested at concentrations of 1%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.125%, 0.05% and 0.0125%, diluted in 1% dimethyl sulfoxide. The dead larvae were counted 24 hours later. The Probit analysis method was used to obtain the LC50 and the respective confidence intervals. The conclusion was that only the oil extracted from Anacardium humile leaves caused 100% mortality among fourth-instar Aedes aegypti larvae, using concentrations of up to 0.125%. This seems to indicate that the active ingredients are present in the most apolar phase. This indicates that this plant has potential use as a larvicide against Aedes aegypti. However, new tests should be carried out using other plant organs, as well as using other methods and solvents for the extraction