Submitted by Bernardo Tomchinsky null (btomchinsky@hotmail.com) on 2017-05-30T20:10:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Tomchinsky final com ficha.pdf: 3771625 bytes, checksum: 6ee327f4dc86e1050651148a6c23adcf (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luiz Galeffi (luizgaleffi@gmail.com) on 2017-05-31T17:59:51Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 tomchinsky_b_dr_bot.pdf: 3771625 bytes, checksum: 6ee327f4dc86e1050651148a6c23adcf (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-31T17:59:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tomchinsky_b_dr_bot.pdf: 3771625 bytes, checksum: 6ee327f4dc86e1050651148a6c23adcf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-05-26 / O Brasil é o país com a maior biodiversidade do mundo, o que não se reflete na dieta da população, que obedece um regime monótono baseado em poucas espécies alimentícias. Os condimentos seguem a mesma lógica, sendo que os mais consumidos no país são espécies exóticas, muitas vezes cultivadas em outros países e importadas. A exploração sustentável dos recursos vegetais, inclusive espécies condimentares, pode representar a valorização e resgate cultural, preservação do meio ambiente com a exploração de recursos florestais não madeireiros, geração de renda para toda a cadeia produtiva, desenvolvimento de novos produtos e pode trazer benefícios na saúde coletiva com a diversificação da alimentação e uso de substâncias bioativas. Ao longo do trabalho são abordados diferentes aspectos referente a prospecção de plantas condimentares no Brasil. Partindo de questões relativas a legislação e normatização ao longo da revisão, no primeiro capítulo é abordado o uso histórico de plantas condimentares e alimentícias no Brasil colonial; na sequência é analisado o mercado de plantas condimentares, especificamente de insumo (sementes) e os produtos disponíveis nos mercados e por último é realizada uma análise sobre as plantas condimentares disponíveis no Brasil. No capítulo 1, através de análises de trabalhos de 18 autores que estiveram no Brasil entre os séculos XVI e XVII são levantadas 729 citações de plantas alimentícias, das quais foi possível identificar 124 espécies. Destas, 60% eram nativas. Em um curto período foram introduzidas diversas espécies exóticas no país. Entre as plantas condimentares, as pimentas do gênero Capscicum eram as mais importantes e entre as alimentícias a mandioca, abacaxi, batata-doce e milho foram as mais citadas. É possível dizer que neste período ocorreu uma rápida e intensa troca de plantas com outras regiões do mundo. A presença de espécies exóticas e naturalizadas, nativas da Américas, evidenciam a intensa troca entre populações indígenas. Muitas espécies nativas caíram em esquecimento e desuso e seu resgate poderia contribuir com a preservação destas espécies e de seu ambiente de ocorrência. No capítulo 2, o objetivo foi compreender aspectos sobre o mercado de plantas condimentares no Brasil, com foco nos insumos disponíveis para os produtores e produtos disponíveis ao mercado consumidor. Para a análise do mercado de insumos de plantas condimentares foram analisados os catálogos de 12 empresas que trabalham neste segmento. E para o estudo dos condimentos disponíveis no mercado brasileiro foram analisados os catálogos de 62 empresas que trabalham neste setor no Brasil. Entre as empresas de sementes que atuam no Brasil são comercializadas 55 espécies consideradas condimentares, com maior destaque para as hortaliças-condimento e as pimentas do gênero Capsicum. Sobre os produtos disponíveis no mercado para consumidores, foram encontradas 107 tipos de condimento simples (não misturado) e 145 temperos mistos, entretanto nas duas categorias poucas espécies ou misturas são brasileiras. Com estes dados é possível ponderar que a produção de diferentes espécies cultivadas fica limitada ao acesso às sementes e mudas disponíveis no mercado e que o mercado de plantas condimentares no Brasil é bem estabelecido, mas dominado por espécies exóticas e produzidas, em grande parte, fora do país, enquanto espécies nativas do Brasil são negligenciadas e poderiam ocupar um espaço maior no mercado nacional. No capítulo 3, foi estudada a ocorrência e o uso de plantas condimentares no Brasil, a partir de ampla revisão de literatura. Das 923 espécies com uso condimentar disponível no Brasil, 499 são nativas do país, entretanto, ainda muitas são subutilizadas. As plantas levantadas foram divididas em 22 categorias de uso. A distribuição das plantas pelo Brasil por estados e biomas reflete de certa forma a biodiversidade de cada região, assim como o número de estudos e coletas realizadas por região. Existem diversas oportunidades interessantes para a exploração econômica destas plantas, faltando entretanto estudos sobre sua composição química e segurança, além de trabalhos sobre seu manejo sustentável e nível de conservação. Neste processo questões referentes a conservação de cada espécie, porte e hábito de crescimento devem ser levadas em conta. Com todos os resultados obtidos, é possível concluir que apesar de bem estabelecida, a cadeia produtiva de plantas condimentares ainda possui algumas limitações, sobretudo no cultivo comercial no Brasil e a exploração de espécies nativas do Brasil. A produção delas ainda é restrita assim como a sua disponibilidade em apenas alguns setores do mercado. Ainda há um enorme potencial para o uso de plantas nativas do Brasil na alimentação humana. Mas seriam necessários estudos referentes a composição, segurança, manejo e produção de cada uma destas espécies, para viabilizar sua exploração sustentável. Este estudo não esgotou o assunto sobre o tema, visto que outras espécies podem ser adicionadas ou retiradas destas listas, de acordo com novos trabalhos que surgirem. / Brazil is the country with the biggest biodiversity in the world, which is not reflected in the diet of the population, which obeys a monotonous regime based on few edible plants. Condiments follow the same logic, and the most used in the country are exotic species and imported from other countries. Sustainable exploitation of plant resources, including spice species, can represent cultural recovery, preservation of the environment through the exploitation of non-timber resources, generation of income for the entire production chain, development of new products and can bring health benefits and food and nutrition safety. Throughout this work are discussed different aspects regarding the prospecting of condiment plants in Brazil. Based on issues related to legislation and regulations and definitions presented in the revision, the first chapter addressed the historical use of condiment and food plants in colonial Brazil; In the sequence the market of condiment plants, specifically of input (seeds) and the products available in the markets, were analyzed. In the last chapter an analysis was performed on the condiment plants available in Brazil. In chapter 1, through the analysis of works of 18 authors that were in Brazil between the XVI and XVII centuries, 729 citations of food plants were raised, of which it was possible to identify 124 species. Of these, 60% are native from Brazil. In a short period, several exotic species were introduced in the country. Among the spice plants, Capscicum peppers were the most important for the local people and cassava, pineapple, maize and sweet potatoes were the most cited crops. It is possible to say that during this period there was a rapid and intense exchange of plants with other regions of the world. The presence of exotic and naturalized species native to the Americas evidences the exchange among indigenous populations. Many native species have fallen into disuse and their rescue could contribute to the preservation of these species and their environment of occurrence. In Chapter 2, the objective was to understand aspects of the market of condiment plants in Brazil, focusing on the inputs available to producers and products available to the consumer market. For the analysis of the market of spice plant inputs, the catalogs of 12 seed companies working in this segment were analyzed. And for the study of condiments available in the Brazilian market, the catalogs of 62 companies working in this sector in Brazil were analyzed. Among the seed companies operating in Brazil, 55 species commercialized are considered condiment, with emphasis on the vegetables-condiment and the peppers of the genus Capsicum. About the products available on the market for consumers, 107 types of simple condiment (unmixed) and 145 mixed condiments were found, although in the two categories few species or mixtures are Brazilian. With these data it is possible to consider that the production of different cultivated species is limited to the access to the seeds available in the market and that the market of condiment plants in Brazil is well established, but dominated by exotic species and produced, to a large extent, abroad of the country, while native species of Brazil are little explored, and could occupy a larger space in the national market. In chapter 3, the availability and use of condiment plants in Brazil was studied, from literature review. Of the 923 species with condiment use available in Brazil, 499 are native to Brazil, however many are still underutilized. The raised plants were divided into 22 categories of use. The distribution of plants by Brazil states and biomes reflects the biodiversity of each region, as well as the number of studies and collections carried out by region. There are several interesting opportunities for the economical exploitation of these plants, but there are a lack studies on their chemical composition and safety, as well as works on their sustainable management and conservation level. In this process questions regarding the conservation of each species, size and habit of growth and part used should be taken into account. With all the results obtained, it is possible to conclude that, although well established, the productive chain of condiment plants has some limitations, mainly in the commercial cultivation in Brazil and the exploration of native species of Brazil. Their production is still restricted and their availability are only in few sectors of the market. There is still enormous potential for the use of native plants in Brazil for human consumption. But studies on the composition, safety, management and production of each of these species would be necessary to enable their sustainable exploitation. This study has not exhausted the the subject, since other species can be added or removed from these lists, according to new researches.

Orientador: Regildo Márcio Gonçalves da Silva / Banca: Anne Ligia Dokkedal Bosqueiro / Banca: Renata Giassi Udulutsch / Resumo: Sabe-se que dentro dos diferentes ecossistemas e em culturas de origem antrópica as plantas podem exercer interferência sobre outros vegetais ou microorganismos. Diferentes autores classificam esse evento como atividade alelopática, e esta ocorre principalmente pela liberação de biomoléculas (aleloquímicos), que podem variar sua constituição e classe química dependendo da espécie produtora. Estudos recentes têm demonstrado que os aleloquímicos constituem-se em importantes candidatos com potencial para serem utilizados como praguicidas e herbicidas naturais, transformando-se em aliados para o manejo agroecológico. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial fitotóxico e antioxidante dos diferentes extratos das folhas de Tridax procumbens L., espécie ivasora e daninha, e Ouratea spectabilis (Mart. ex Engl.) Engl., nativa do cerrado brasileiro, por meio dos bioensaios laboratoriais de pré e pós- emergência em sementes de Lactuca sativa L. Além de avaliar o índice mitótico, aberrações cromossômicas e freqüência de micronúcleo em células de raiz de Allium cepa L. Adicionalmente, buscou-se determinar a atividade antioxidante e também elucidar fitoquimicamente os componentes fitotóxicos presentes nos extratos destas espécies. No bioensaio de pré-emergência as diferentes concentrações dos diferentes extratos reduziram os índices de germinação tanto para T. procumbens quanto para O. spectabilis quando comparados com o controle, alterando ainda o tempo médio, velocidade média e sincronismo da germinação. Semelhantemente ao encontrado nos bioensaios de pós- emergência, onde alterações no desenvolvimento de plântulas de alface (radícula e hipocótilo) foram observadas, apresentando inibição do crescimento da raíz principal e do hipocótilo quando comparados com o controle. Quanto ao índice mitótico, foi possível observar que os diferentes extratos... / Abstract: It is known that within the different ecosystems and cultures of anthropogenic origin the plants can exercise interference on other plants or microorganisms. Different authors classify this event as allelopathic activity this occurs mainly by the release of biomolecules (allelochemicals) that can vary its constitution and chemical class depending on the producing species. Recent researches have shown that allelochemicals are important candidates with potential to be used as natural pesticides and herbicides, becoming an ally to agroecological management. Thus the aim of this study was to evaluate the phytotoxic and antioxidant potential of different extracts of leaves of Tridax procumbens L. ivasive and weed species and Ouratea spectabilis (Mart. ex Engl.) Engl. native to the Brazilian Cerrado through laboratory bioassays pre-and post-emergence in seeds of Lactuca sativa L. Besides assessing the mitotic index, chromosomal aberrations and frequency of micronuclei in root cells of Allium cepa L. We also determine the antioxidant activity and the chemical profile of phytotoxic compounds present in the extract of these species. In bioassay of pre-emergence the different concentrations of different extracts reduced the germination rates for both T. procumbens how O. spectabilis as compared with the control, even changing the average time, average speed and timing of germination. Similarly to that found in bioassays post-emergence, where changes in the development of lettuce seedlings (radicle and hypocotyl) were observed, with inhibition of root growth and hypocotyl compared with the control. Regarding the mitotic index was observed that the different extracts of the two species tested reduced when they were compared to the negative control. Introducing yet changes to the treatments with T. procumbens in rates of death and mutagenicity and O. spectabilis in the death rate, chromosomal alterations... / Mestre

Thesis (MTech (Chemistry))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / The continued use and popularity of plant-based traditional medicine demands scientific validation of the therapeutic potential of the medicinal plants used in disease management and treatment. These medicinal plants are to be evaluated for phytochemical constituents and pharmacologically screened for their bioactivity and include the isolation and identification of their bioactive compounds. The diabetes tea and its eight individual plants constituents were collected from Sing Fefur Herbs in McGregor, Western Cape. The plant material was ground to a fine powder form using a milling machine. The powdered plant material was sequentially extracted with hexane, 1:1 DCM, DCM:MeOH, MeOH and water. The antioxidant activity of the tea and its plants was evaluated with comparison to the antioxidant activity of brewed rooibos tea in literature. The concentration of antioxidants in the plants and the tea were found to be significantly high. The ORAC assay results of the water extracts were significantly higher than that of rooibos tea in all plants. Salvia africana-caerulea water extract ORAC results were 14147.10±1.02 μmol TE/g and this is 10 times better than the brewed rooibos tea results of 1402±44.1 μmol TE/g. The alpha-amylase enzyme inhibition assay showed no significant results while the alpha-glucosidase enzyme inhibition assays showed significant results in some of the extracts. The highest inhibitory activity towards alpha-glucosidase was found in the Urtica urens hexane extract and the Thymus vulgaris hexane extract (69.66% and 68.43%, respectively). This observation suggests that alpha-glucosidase enzyme is inhibited mostly by the less polar or medium polarity chemical components of the plant extracts. The crude plant extracts that showed significant activity in the antidiabetic bioassays were further subjected to cytotoxicity assay to ascertain the safety of extracts. The T. vulgaris DCM extract, Salvia officinalis DCM extract and Salvia officinalis hexane extract showed a cell growth inhibition of 54.91%, 62.14% and 63.87% at 100 μg/ml, respectively. The Salvia africana-caerulea DCM extract showed a cell growth inhibition of 59.10% at 50 μg/ml and 62.14% at 100 μg/ml. In the cytotoxicity analysis Salvia africana-caerulea DCM extract is the only extract that showed cell viability below 50% for both concentrations. Phytochemical screening of selected methanolic and aqueous extracts of the diabetes tea and the Salvia africana-caerulea showed the presence of alkaloids, sugars, flavonoids, glycosides, proteins & amino acids, phenolics & tannins and saponins. Furthermore isolation, purification and analysis of two Salvia africana-caerulea crude extracts (DCM and DCM:MeOH) were done in order to try and obtain pure compounds. The compound characterization was done through the use of chromatographic techniques. Thin layer chromatography (TLC), flash chromatography and column chromatography resulted in the generation of 29 fractions. Spectroscopic techniques utilized for chemical structural elucidation for compounds of interest included Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Of all the fractions generated, DM 23 was the purest and its structural elucidation was attempted.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-06-16T12:33:11Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Diego Nathan do Nascimento Souza.pdf: 725691 bytes, checksum: d0bcce7dad7f792cd47816f21adbc2be (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-16T12:33:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Diego Nathan do Nascimento Souza.pdf: 725691 bytes, checksum: d0bcce7dad7f792cd47816f21adbc2be (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-13 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Plants may present a broad variation in phenological features, as a consequence of the interaction between biotic and abiotic factors that influence reproductive success. Thus, areas that are subjected to different degrees of anthropogenic pressure offer distinct conditions to the establishment and development of plant populations, including the occurrence and the intensity of phenological events. One of the most important factors that influence plant development in dry forests is the precipitation, mainly for annual herbaceous species, which generally grow and reproduce in the rainy season. The phenology of these plants is poorly documented, mainly in the caatinga, a dry forest vegetation that grows in NE Brazil. For this reason, this study aims to learn more about the phenology of caatinga grass, with the following hypotheses: 1. The period of manifestation of phenophases may differ between a disturbed and a preserved area in a region of caatinga. 2. The level of synchrony of the populations of phenophases occur simultaneously in both areas tend to be different. 3. The amount of flowers and fruits of herbaceous populations studied may be different among sites (preserved and anthropic). 4. The manifestation of phenophases of herbaceous annual can have a correlation with local rainfall during its life cycle. The study was conducted in two areas of caatinga vegetation. One of them is a remnant of caatinga forest, hereafter called preserved one, and the other is an area that is regenerating, when occurred the abandone of agricultural practices. Bothe areas are located in the Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco, Caruaru municipality, NE Brazil. In each area the vegetative and reproductive phenophases of 30 individuals of five annual, herbaceous species: Bidens bipinnata L., Commelina obliqua Vahl, Delilia biflora (L.) Kuntze, Desmodium glabrum (Mill.) DC. and Pseudabutilon spicatum (Kunth) R.E. Fr., were accompanied weekly during all their life cycle, understood from January to October 2011. The period, synchrony, number of reproductive structures and levels of correlation between precipitation and phenophases were compared between the two areas. It was observed a high synchrony in the phenological events between the two areas. It was found that the populations did not show strong variations in time and timing of their phenophases between the two environments. However, only one species did not show a high synchronization in flowering, fruiting and leaf drop for both areas. It was also noted that four species showed significant differences in number of reproductive structures produced by each population, demonstrating the interference of phenological areas in this regard. On the other hand, while it is true that many plants of the caatinga have a dependence on rainfall for its development was not seen any significant correlation between this factor and reproductive phenophases of herbs in two areas during their life cycle. For vegetative phenophases were observed a significant correlation with the local precipitation. Finally, the results of this study indicate that there is not a noticeable difference in the manifestation of phenophases in populations of the savanna grasses therophytes present in the immediate environment, but subject to different conditions as to shift the time of the phenophase, or in sync. However, the productivity, abandoned cultivation area had a greater production of reproductive structures of populations of Bidens bipinnata and Commelina obliqua, while the preserved area was more favorable for a higher production of reproductive structures of populations and Pseudabutilon spicatum and Desmodium glabrum. Thus, some herbaceous species have a more positive relationship with regenerating areas, favoring their phenological responses, while others do not have this type of relationship with these areas. / Sabe-se que as plantas podem apresentar uma variação em suas características fenológicas, resultantes de uma interação com diversos fatores entre áreas diferentes, e que essas variações podem ser fundamentais para seu sucesso reprodutivo. Nesta perspectiva, áreas que são modificadas por ações humanas oferecem condições diferentes das áreas preservadas, e isto pode afetar a intensidade e o ritmo de cada fenofase vegetal. Sabe-se também que em ambientes de florestas secas, um dos principais fatores que influencia o desenvolvimento das plantas é a precipitação, principalmente das espécies herbáceas anuais, que geralmente crescem e reproduzem-se no período chuvoso. No entanto, a fenologia de espécies herbáceas em florestas secas perturbadas ainda é pouco conhecida, principalmente na caatinga, Nordeste do Brasil. Por este motivo, este estudo tem como objetivo conhecer um pouco mais sobre a fenologia do componente herbáceo da caatinga, apresentando as seguintes hipóteses: 1. A época de manifestação das fenofases pode diferir entre uma área preservada e uma antropizada em uma região de caatinga. 2. O nível de sincronia das fenofases das populações de ocorrência simultânea nas duas áreas tende a ser diferente. 3. A quantidade de flores e frutos das populações herbáceas analisadas pode ser diferente entre os locais (preservado e antropizado). 4. A manifestação das fenofases de herbáceas anuais pode apresentar uma correlação com a precipitação local durante seu ciclo de vida. O estudo foi desenvolvido em duas áreas de caatinga, sendo uma remanescente desse ecossistema, chamada de preservada, e outra de cultivo abandonado e em regeneração natural, denominada de antropizada, ambas pertencentes ao Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco, Caruaru-PE, Brasil. Nas duas áreas foram selecionados 30 indivíduos de cinco espécies herbáceas anuais: Bidens bipinnata L., Commelina obliqua Vahl, Delilia biflora (L.) Kuntze, Desmodium glabrum (Mill.) DC. e Pseudabutilon spicatum (Kunth) R.E. Fr., que tiveram suas fenofases vegetativas e reprodutivas acompanhadas semanalmente durante todo o seu ciclo de vida, compreendido de janeiro até outubro de 2011. Realizou-se uma comparação da época, sincronismo, número de estruturas reprodutivas e níveis de correlação entre a precipitação e as fenofases das populações dos dois trechos, esperando-se encontrar diferenças quanto a essas variáveis. Foi visto que as populações não apresentaram fortes variações na época e no sincronismo de suas fenofases, entre os dois ambientes. Entretanto, apenas uma espécie não apresentou um alto sincronismo na floração, frutificação e queda foliar para as duas áreas. Observou-se também que quatro espécies apresentaram diferença significativa no número de estruturas reprodutivas produzidas por cada população, demonstrando a interferência das áreas neste aspecto fenológico. Por outro lado, embora seja certo que muitas plantas da caatinga apresentem uma dependência da precipitação para o seu desenvolvimento, não foi visto nenhuma correlação significativa entre este fator e as fenofases reprodutivas das ervas nas duas áreas durante o seu ciclo de vida. Para as fenofases vegetativas foi observada uma correlação significativa com a precipitação local. Por fim, os resultados deste estudo indicam que não há uma diferença perceptível na manifestação das fenofases em populações de ervas terófitas da caatinga presentes em ambientes próximos, mas sujeitos a diferentes condições quanto ao deslocamento da época da fenofase, ou na sincronia. Contudo, quanto à produtividade, a área de cultivo abandonado apresentou uma maior produção de estruturas reprodutivas das populações de Bidens bipinnata e Commelina obliqua, enquanto que a área preservada foi mais favorável para uma maior produção de estruturas reprodutivas das populações de Desmodium glabrum e Pseudabutilon spicatum. Dessa forma, algumas espécies herbáceas apresentam uma relação mais positiva com áreas em regeneração, favorecendo suas respostas fenológicas, enquanto outras não apresentam este tipo de relação com essas áreas.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-06-22T13:54:52Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Kleber Andrade da Silva.pdf: 1087573 bytes, checksum: 630b3a353f31a1b8da21d7a9a7bb19c9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-22T13:54:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Kleber Andrade da Silva.pdf: 1087573 bytes, checksum: 630b3a353f31a1b8da21d7a9a7bb19c9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-06-22 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / The influence of seasonal and annual variations in precipitation on the dynamics of seed banks of four herbaceous species (Delilia biflora, Commelina obliqua, Phaseolus peduncularis e Poinsettia heterophylla) were evaluated in an area of caatinga, in the experimental station of Empresa Pernambucana de Pesquisa Agropecuária – IPA (8o14'18"S e 35o55'20"W, 535 m de altitude),in Caruaru, Pernambuco, Brazil. 105 samples of litter and soil (0-5 cm of depth) were collected from 20 x 20 cm plots, at three rainy seasons and three dry seasons. Richness and density were determined by the seedling emergence method. The dynamics of herbaceous populations was evaluated in 35 1 m x 1m plots, in plan, rocky and riparian microhabitats. At the plot interior, all individuals from the four species were counted and marked and, monthly, the plots were monitored for the counting of births and deaths. 79 species emerged from the seed bank and most of them were herbs. In the three years, richness and density were higher for the soil samples. There was a significant seasonal variation in richness only in the first year and there was no difference between years. Similarity among stations and years was lower than 50%. Only seven species were present in both rainy and dry seasons for the three years. The bank presented an estimated average density of 591 seeds. m-2. There was a significant seasonal variation in density in the second and third years. Density differed among years and most species occurred with few individuals. The four species formed more numerous populations in the first year and they drastically reduced in size in the second year, which was drier. Commelina obliqua was less sensible to variations in the pluviometric totals among years. In each year, population size was higher at the rainy season and it strongly decreased at the dry season. Although seasonal and annual reductions in density, the of the four species were present during the three years, but C. obliqua disappeared in the riparian microhabitat. Delilia biflora, Commelina obliqua and Phaseolus peduncularis occured in the three microhaitats, but with low density in the riparian micohabitat. There was no record for Poinsettia heterophylla in the riparian microhabitat. Population size and birth and death peaks vary in time for each microhabitat. Annual and seasonal variations in the pluviometric totals influences seed bank richness and density and the dynamics of herbaceous plants. Caatinga seed bank density may be higher at the rainy season, higher at the dry season or it may not present seasonal variation. Microhabitat can mitigate the impact of dry season water stress on mortality of herbaceous populations, since the higher mortality peaks of the four species were in the plan. The predictive role of rains of present times or ecologically recent does not explain seed density variations in the soil bank, but the predictive power of pluviometric totals from past years may have increased the explanation power on the dynamics of caatinga soil seed bank and it has a great implication for conservation for this kind of vegetation. / As influências das variações sazonal e anual da precipitação e das diferenças espaciais sobre a dinâmica do banco de sementes e de quatro espécies herbáceas (Delilia biflora, Commelina obliqua, Phaseolus peduncularis e Poinsettia heterophylla) foram avaliadas em uma área de caatinga, na Estação Experimental da Empresa Pernambucana de Pesquisa Agropecuária – IPA (8o14’18”S e 35o55’20”W, 535 m de altitude), em Caruaru, Pernambuco, Brasil. Foram coletadas 105 amostras de serrapilheira e de solo (0-5 cm de profundidade), em parcelas de 20 x 20 cm, em três estações chuvosas e três secas. A riqueza e a densidade foram determinadas pelo método de emergência de plântulas. A dinâmica das populações herbáceas foi avaliada em 35 parcelas de 1 m x 1 m, em microhabitats plano, rochoso e ciliar. No interior das parcelas todos os indivíduos das quatro espécies foram contados e marcados e, mensalmente, as parcelas foram monitoradas para contagem dos nascimentos e mortes. Emergiram do banco de sementes 79 espécies, sendo a maioria herbácea. Nos três anos, a riqueza e a densidade foram mais elevadas nas amostras de solo. Houve variação sazonal significativa na riqueza apenas no primeiro ano e não houve diferença entre anos. A similaridade entre estações e entre anos foi menor que 50%. Apenas sete espécies estiveram em ambas as estações chuvosa e seca dos três anos. O banco apresentou densidade média estimada de 591 sem.m-2. Houve variação sazonal significativa na densidade no segundo e no terceiro ano. A densidade diferiu entre anos e a maioria das espécies ocorreu com poucos indivíduos. As quatro espécies formaram populações mais numerosas no primeiro ano, e reduziram drasticamente de tamanho no segundo ano, que foi mais seco. C. obliqua foi menos sensível às variações nos totais pluviométricos entre anos. Dentro de cada ano, o tamanho das populações estudadas foi maior na estação chuvosa, diminuindo fortemente na estação seca. Apesar das reduções sazonais e anuais na densidade, três das espécies estiveram presentes durante os três anos,mas C. obliqua desaparece no microhabitat ciliar. D. biflora, C. obliqua e P. peduncularis ocorreram nos três microhabitats, mas com baixa densidade no ciliar. Não houve registro de P. heterophylla no ciliar. O tamanho das populações e os picos de natalidade e de mortalidade, em cada microhabitat, variaram no tempo. As variações sazonais e anuais nos totais pluviométricos exercem influência sobre a riqueza e a densidade do banco de sementes e sobre a dinâmica das populações herbáceas. A densidade do banco de sementes da catinga pode ser maior na estação chuvosa, maior na seca, ou não exibir variação sazonal. O microhabitat pode atenuar o impacto do estresse hídrico da estação seca sobre a mortalidade das populações herbáceas, pois o maior pico de mortalidade das quatro espécies foi no plano. O papel preditivo de chuvas de tempos presentes ou ecologicamente recentes não explica variações de densidade de sementes do banco do solo, em contra partida o poder preditivo de totais pluviométricos de passados mais distante pode ter elevado poder de explicação sobre a dinâmica do banco de sementes do solo da caatinga e elevada implicação na conservação deste tipo vegetacional.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-20T12:22:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jolemia C N das Chagas.pdf: 2457646 bytes, checksum: af14c46355777961940211ad36255ad1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-05-31 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In the Amazon floodplain ecosystem, farming systems developed by smallholders are made and represented by a variety of useful plant species, which are maintained and managed in accordance with the water cycle of the Amazon River. Among the relevant types of agricultural crops in homegardens, for example, there is the cultivation of herbs and spices, which are largely responsible for the generation of income in local rural communities. In this context, taking into consideration the importance of not only economic, but above all social, cultural and food plants of these species, this study sought to characterize the farming systems of herbs and spices in the communities of Santa Luzia do Baixio (Iranduba) and San Francisco community (Careiro da Várzea).Therefore this research aims to contribute to a better understanding of the reality of agricultural riparian caboclos who grow these plant species. Given that the communities in focus are among the leading producers of vegetables, medicinal and fruit that supply the marketing centers (fairs, markets) in the metropolitan region of Manaus. That research was characterized as descriptive, and tools for data collection were: participatory meetings, socioeconomic form, semi-structured interviews, participant observation, oral histories, and georeferencing. The information generated from the use of research tools have gone through the process of ordering and sequencing data, tabulation and construction of charts, tables, summaries and storage in a database for later analysis. Thus, the methodology allowed to obtain the following results: The cultivation of herbs and spices in family units are performed in the subsystem miscellaneous production (yard agroforestry), interspersed with other species. The production system of herbs and spices is maintained by farmers through the maintenance and conservation of the species through the exchange of plant species (seedlings, cuttings, tiller) and storage of seeds from the plant itself. Among the forms of persistence of farmers in their agricultural practices are: traditional knowledge that is perpetuated in the conviviality of the younger to the older, labor, family labor, the main responsible for the crops, women, and agricultural diversity that assist in income, food and culture maintenance of riparian caboclos. However, during the cultivations, there are limiting factors, among them: the seasonality of the river, where the agricultural use of land is determined by water levels. / Em ecossistema de várzea amazônica, os sistemas de cultivo desenvolvidos por agricultores familiares, são compostos e representados por uma diversidade de espécies vegetais úteis, que são mantidas e manejadas em conformidade com o ciclo das águas do rio Amazonas. Dentre os tipos relevantes de cultivos agrícolas nos quintais agroflorestais, por exemplo, há o cultivo de espécies de plantas medicinais aromáticas e condimentares, as quais são responsáveis em grande parte pela geração de renda nas comunidades rurais locais. Neste contexto, levando-se em consideração a importância, não só econômica, mas sobretudo social, cultural e alimentícia destas espécies de plantas, esta pesquisa objetiva caracterizar os sistemas de cultivo das plantas medicinais aromáticas e condimentares nas comunidades de Santa Luzia do Baixio (Iranduba) e comunidade São Francisco (Careiro da Várzea). Sendo assim esta pesquisa visa contribuir para um melhor entendimento acerca da realidade agrícola dos caboclos ribeirinhos que cultivam estas espécies de plantas. Tendo em vista que as comunidades em foco estão entre as principais produtoras de hortaliças, medicinais e frutíferas que abastecem os centros de comercialização (feiras, mercados) da região metropolitana de Manaus. A referida pesquisa caracterizou-se como descritiva, e as ferramentas para a coleta de dados foram as seguintes: reuniões participativas, formulário socioeconômico, entrevista semi-estruturada, observação participante, relatos orais, e Georreferenciamento. As informações geradas a partir da utilização dos instrumentos de pesquisa, passaram por processo de ordenação e sequenciamento de dados, tabulação e construção de quadros, tabelas, resumos e armazenamento em banco de dados para posterior análise. Desta forma, a metodologia utilizada permitiu a obtenção dos seguintes resultados: Os cultivos de plantas aromáticas e condimentares nas unidades familiares são realizados em miscelânea no subsistema de produção (quintal agroflorestal), intercaladas com outras espécies. O sistema de produção das plantas medicinais, aromáticas e condimentares é mantido pelos agricultores familiares através da manutenção e conservação das espécies através de trocas de espécies vegetais (mudas, estacas, perfilho) e armazenamento de sementes retiradas do próprio plantio. Dentre as formas de persistência dos agricultores em suas práticas agrícolas, estão: conhecimento tradicional que é perpetuado no convívio dos mais novos com os mais velhos, a mão-de-obra familiar, sendo as principais responsáveis pelos cultivos, as mulheres, e a diversidade agrícola que auxiliam na renda, alimentação e manutenção da cultura dos caboclos ribeirinhos. No entanto, durante os cultivos, existem os fatores limitantes, dentre os quais: a sazonalidade do rio, no qual o uso agrícola do solo é determinado pelo nível das águas.

A herbal formula (SL) comprising edible Sophorae Flos and Lonicerae Japonicae Flos was used to treat melanoma in ancient China. In current Chinese medicine practice, the two ingredient herbs of SL are commonly prescribed by Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctors for treating melanoma. However, there is no modern clinical or experimental evidence about the anti-melanoma actions of this formula. Signal transducer and activator of the transcription (STAT3), which is constitutively activated in melanoma, has been proposed as one of the anti-melanoma targets. Some natural compounds in SL have been shown to assault cancers including melanoma via inhibiting STAT3 signaling. In this study, we investigated the anti-melanoma effects and explored STAT3 signaling-related mechanism of action of SL. We also identified bioactive components responsible for SL's anti-melanoma effects. Our in vitro and in vivo studies showed that SLE, an ethanolic extract of SL, induced apoptosis, inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion in melanoma cells, inhibited melanoma growth, angiogenesis and prolonged host survival in melanoma-bearing mice. SLE significantly suppressed the activation of STAT3 and its upstream kinase Src in both mouse melanoma tissues and cultured melanoma cells. In melanoma cells, we also found that SLE restrained STAT3 nuclear localization and inhibited the expression of STAT3-regulated genes related to melanoma growth, metastasis and angiogenesis. Overactivation of STAT3 in A375 human melanoma cells diminished the anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic and anti-invasive effects of SLE. RNA-seq and small RNA sequencing analyses showed that SLE altered both the gene expression profile and miRNA signature in B16F10 melanoma tissues. Based on the RNA-seq data, we further validated that SLE inhibited the IL-17-IL-6-STAT3 axis in melanoma. Verification assays for the candidate miRNAs suggested that the significantly upregulated miR-205-5p is a possible target of SLE. Enforced miR-205 expression has been shown to suppress EMT in melanoma cells. In this study, we demonstrated that SLE inhibited melanoma cell EMT, and miR-205-5p knockdown diminished this effect of SLE. In addition, we computationally demonstrated that luteolin, a naturally occurring edible flavone abundant in Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, could directly bind to Src kinase domain. Experimentally, we verified that luteolin inhibited the Src/STAT3 signaling in both melanoma cells and tissues. In addition to inhibit STAT3 activation, luteolin promoted ubiquitin-proteasome pathway-mediated degradation of STAT3. Luteolin also exerted evident in vitro and in vivo anti-melanoma effects, and overactivation of STAT3 diminished its anti-melanoma effects. In conclusion, we demonstrated that SLE exerted in vivo and in vitro anti-melanoma effects, and inhibition of Src/STAT3 signaling and elevation of miR-205-5p expression contributed to these effects. Luteolin was identified to be one of the active components responsible for the inhibitory effects of SLE on STAT3 signaling and the anti-melanoma effects of SLE. This study provides a pharmacological and chemical basis for the traditional use of the formula SL in treating melanoma, and suggests that SLE and SLE-derived compounds have the potential to be developed as modern alternative and/or complimentary agents for melanoma management.

M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / In South Africa, approximately 61% of the population is believed to be overweight, obese or morbidly obese (Smith, 2010). Risk factors to developing obesity include a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet and poor eating habits, smoking, age, medications such as corticosteroids and other illnesses such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, hypothyroidism and Cushing’s syndrome (Polsdorfer, 2011). Obesity is fast becoming a major problem in all communities in South Africa, not only in regard to the health of individuals but as it continues to increase the costs of health care in the country (Goedecke et al., 2005). The aim of this study is to determine the effect of a herbal formulation consisting of Caffeine, Coffea canephora bean, Coleus forskholii, Camellia sinensis, Evodiamine, Ilex paraguariensis and Phaseolus vulgaris on Body Mass Index and abdominal girth measurements in overweight and obese individuals. Previous studies conducted on the herbal formulation have shown positive results with regard to weight loss, however, the need for a longer trial period was indicated in order to establish long term results as in this study (Baillie, 2011a). The study was a twelve week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The participants were males and females between the ages of 18 and 45 years with a BMI between 25 and 35kg/m2. Sixty participants were recruited from the University of Johannesburg, as well as from the public sector, in response to posters posted at the university, local gymnasiums and fitness clubs and given to other Homoeopathic practitioners. Of the sample of sixty participants, thirty participants were placed in the experimental group and thirty in the placebo group according to matched pairing of gender and BMI. The groups received either two capsules of the herbal formulation consisting of Caffeine, Coffea canephora bean, Coleus forskholii, Camellia sinensis, Evodiamine, Ilex paraguariensis and Phaseolus vulgaris or two capsules of a placebo composed of pharmaceutical starch, from Monday to Friday. At the initial consultation, a detailed case history and the vital signs (including blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate and temperature) of the participants were taken. Their height and weight was determined and from these measurements, their BMI was calculated. Their abdominal girth was measured three times during each consultation, each time using a standardized method and the average measurement was obtained. The participants then returned for follow-up evaluations in the second, sixth and twelfth week of the study. At each follow-up consultation, the participants’ vital signs and abdominal girth measurements were taken again and their BMI calculated by measuring their weight. The data collected during the study was analysed using statistical techniques including the Shapiro-Wilk test, Friedman Analysis of Variance test, Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test.

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