Throughout the eighteenth century the majority of the population of Scotland were dependent on their own home remedies for treating illnesses. Early in the century doctors were scarce and the difficulties of travel plus the high fees they charged put their services beyond the reach of most people. Even later in the century when roads improved and an increasing number of medical graduates were trained, in rural Scotland domestic medicine was still the only form of treatment available to many. The sources of eighteenth century domestic remedies were largely the same as the sources of orthodox medicine, namely traditional herbal recipes derived from the ancients, and from the mediaeval herbals. Such remedies were perpetuated by word of mouth, in ballads and songs, and in diaries, letters and kitchen books, as well as in printed books. The present thesis aims to illustrate the type of home remedy used, drawing mainly on primary sources, and using as examples various common eighteenth century ailments, such as scurvy, smallpox, consumption, etc. Home remedies changed little in the course of the century, but orthodox medicine underwent considerable changes meanwhile, with the reform of the Pharmacopoeia and the so-called "rationalisation" of medicine. The result was that home and orthodox remedies diverged and many traditional herbal recipes were discarded by the orthodox medical men, some of which may have been of real therapeutic value. Contrary to expectations, it has been found that home remedies were often less complicated than their contemporary medical counterparts. An attempt has been made to identify botanically the numerous plants mentioned, and to give some indication, in the light of present pharmacological knowledge, of their possible therapeutic value. Future analyses may even show that some of the eighteenth century herbal remedies could prove of clinical value in the future.

Several investigations into the antimicrobial activity of members of the Combretaceae have been undertaken in recent years. Although the antibacterial properties of various species of Combretum, Terminalia and Pteleopsis have been investigated in depth, this is not the case for their antifungal properties. Due to the increasing importance of fungal infections the aim is to address this by focusing on antifungal activities of Combretaceae species. This was done by focusing on the following objectives: <ol> <li>Developing minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and bioautography procedures for fungi to be used in the laboratory in order to screen Combretum andTerminalia species for antifungal activity.</li> <li>Selecting three or four species for further investigation based on antifungal activity and availability.</li> <li>Isolating the antifungal compounds from one or more of the selected species.</li> <li>Determining the chemical structure and in vitro biological activity of the antifungal compound.</li> <li>Developing and applying a protocol and determining in vivo antifungal activity of Combretum and Terminalia extracts and isolated compounds in rats infected with different fungal pathogens.</li> </ol> Leaves of 24 Combretum and 6 Terminaliaspecies were collected in the Lowveld National Botanical Gardens (LNBG) in Nelspruit. After the dried plants were milled to a fine powder, they were extracted with hexane, dichloromethane, acetone and methanol. Chemical constituents of the 120 extracts were analyzed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). The TLC plates were developed with one of the three eluent systems developed in our laboratory that separate components of Combretaceae extracts well i.e.: Ethyl acetate/methanol/water (40:5.4:5) [EMW] (polar/neutral), Chloroform/ethyl acetate/formic acid (5:4:1) [CEF] (intermediate polarity/acidic) and Benzene/ethanol/ammonia hydroxide (90:10:1) [BEA] (non-polar/basic). To detect the separated compounds, vanillin-sulphuric acid-methanol was sprayed on the chromatograms and heated at 110 °C to optimal colour development. Methanol was the best extractant, extracting a greater quantity of plant material than any of the other solvents. There was similarity in the chemical composition of the non-polar compounds of extracts using extractants of varying polarity Qualitative analysis of antioxidant activity, the 2, 2,diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay on TLC plates was used as a screen test for the radical scavenging ability of the compounds present in the different 120 extracts. TLC-DPPH screening method indicated the presence of antioxidant compounds in some of the extracts tested, with C. woodii and C. hereroense showing the most prominent antioxidant activity. Methanol and acetone extracted the most antioxidant compounds based on DPPH TLC. In vitro</li> studies coupled with the phytochemical analysis confirm that the extracts had antioxidant activity. The solvent tolerance of the microorganisms was tested using the following solvents; DMSO, acetone, methanol and ethanol. In order to determine the maximum concentration at which different solvents would allow the test microorganisms to reach normal growth, different concentrations from 10 to 100% were used. Uninhibited growth was evaluated as no toxic effects of the solvent. Methanol and ethanol were found to be toxic. The growths of the fungi were not affected by DMSO and acetone concentrations up to 60%. A serial microdilution assay was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for plant extracts using tetrazolium violet reduction as an indicator of growth. This method had previously been used only for antibacterial activities. To apply it to measuring antifungal activities, a slight modification was made to suit fungal growth conditions. The following fungal pathogens were used: yeasts (Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans), thermally dimorphic fungi (Sporothrix schenckii) and moulds (Aspergillus fumigatus and Microsporum canis). To determine MIC values, growth was checked after 24 and 48 hours to determine the end point. The MIC values of most of the extracts were in the order of 0.08 mg/ml and some had values as low as 0.02 – 0.04 mg/ml after 24 hours incubation. TLC plates were loaded with 100 ㎍ (5 ㎕ of 20 mg/ml) of each of the extracts. The prepared plates were developed in the three different mobile systems used: CEF, BEA and EMW. The chromatograms were dried for a week at room temperature under a stream of air to remove the remaining solvent. The TLC plates developed were inoculated with a fine spray of the concentrated suspension containing approximately 109 organisms per ml of actively growing fungi e.g. conidia for A. fumigatus and yeast cells (blastocysts) for the other fungi in a Biosafety Class II cabinet (Labotec, SA) cupboard. The plates were sprayed until they were just wet, and after drying were sprayed with a 2 mg/ml solution of INT. White areas indicate where reduction of INT to the coloured formazan did not take place due to the presence of compounds that inhibited the growth of tested fungi. During this study we experienced a number of difficulties. Firstly I found that preparing cultures some days before spraying them makes it difficult to get good results, possibly due to quick mycelial overgrowth and blockage of the spray gun with mycelia. The new method was developed. This procedure led to reduced overgrowth of the mycelia. In the study of biologically active compounds from extracts, it was indicated that the extracts had antifungal compounds. Fractionation and bioassay-guided isolation of the antifungal compounds was undertaken on the crude extracts of C. nelsonii, based on very low MIC’s of the crude extracts on all tested pathogens, it had several compound which are active against all pathogens, lastly it is one of the Combretum species which have never being worked on. Antifungal compound was successfully isolated from the leaves of C. nelsonii. The structure was elucidated. After structure elucidation bioassays of isolated active compounds was done to confirm that the compound isolated is the one expected, and how active the compound is, on its own. The compound was very active against all tested pathogens. Cytotoxicity of the acetone extracts of C. imberbe, C. nelsonii, C. albopunctactum and T. sericea were evaluated using Brine shrimp (Artemia salina assay and tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay (MTT assay) on Vero monkey kidney cells. These four extracts were chosen because of the good in vitro antifungal activity of crude extracts and there was intention of using them in in vivo studies in animal models. The results on brine shrimps indicated that the four leaf extracts have LC50 values above 20 ㎍/ml, the recommended cut-off point for detecting cytotoxic activity. Using MTT assay it was found that the four extracts did not suppress mitochondrial respiration in monkey kidney cells. Only C. imberbe was closer to the cut-off value (200 µg/ml), which was used by other authors. In searching for cytotoxic activity to the criteria of the American National Cancer Institute, the LC50 limit to consider a crude extract promising for further purification is lower than 30 µg/ml. In vivo antifungal activity was investigated on the wound irritancy and efficacy of the four most promising, Combretum nelsonii, Combretum imberbe, Combretum albopunctactum and Terminalia sericea extracts applied topically to skin wounds in fungal infected skin wound of rat model. Wound irritancy and wound healing were evaluated by macroscopical, physical and histological methods. Aspects evaluated include wound healing, erythema, exudate formation and possible toxic effects of the extracts. Twenty rats were used in two pilot studies (Exploratory studies and Infection with different pathogens). During the pilot studies rats were not irritated by treatment of infection. The wound healed within three weeks. Only one rat was terminated due to weight loss and it was found that nasal discharge was due to external factors, which were not related to the experiment. The clinical treatment of skin infected with pathogens continues to be a major problem especially in immuno-compromised patients. Therapeutic agents selected for the treatment of infected wounds had ideally shown antifungal activity on in vitro studies. I investigated whether these agents would improve phases of wound healing without producing deleterious side effects. All the parameters showed that the crude extracts and amphotericin B were effective in decreasing formation of the exudate, increasing crust formation and that they have antifungal activities used in in vivo studies. Acetone extract of leaves of C. nelsonii, C. albopunctactum, C. imberbe and T. sericea possessed remarkable growth inhibitory activities against fungal pathogens. Acetone extracts of leaves and isolated compound demonstrated wound healing properties comparable with that of antibiotic powder (amphotericin B). The results of this study in general indicate that the Terminalia and Combretum species possess substantial antifungal properties. This explains the use of these plants in folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases related to fungal infections. / Thesis (PhD (Phytomedicine))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Paraclinical Sciences / unrestricted

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-03-30Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:54:57Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 andriao_ma_me_botfca.pdf: 619173 bytes, checksum: 408700c094c6c39f28084ea905749cf0 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / O objetivo deste trabalho foi conhecer a marcha de absorção de macronutrientes em Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC. var. CPQBA-1, bem como verificar o acúmulo e o teor de fenólicos totais em função do tempo. As mudas foram obtidas a partir de sementes de matrizes do CPQBA/UNICAMP e transplantadas para vasos no início do experimento em casa de vegetação. Para o delineamento estatístico optou-se pela metodologia de grupos de experimentos, neste caso dois experimentos com a mesma estrutura, variando-se apenas o manejo no dia do transplantio, que constou de uma poda executada a 15 cm a partir do solo para um dos grupos. O delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, considerou cinco épocas de amostragem em intervalos de 30 dias durante 150 dias e quatro repetições, perfazendo-se um total de 20 parcelas, cada qual composta por dois vasos com duas plantas em cada vaso. No total, foram consideradas 40 unidades experimentais. O material fresco obtido em cada amostragem foi conduzido à secagem em estufa, triturado e submetido às análises. Avaliaram-se as partes aéreas e raízes quanto à massa da matéria seca, teor e acúmulo de macronutrientes e de fenólicos totais. Realizou-se a análise conjunta dos dois experimentos para os níveis do fator qualitativo (manejo), considerando-se as variáveis produção de matéria seca da parte aérea e raízes e acúmulo de fenólicos totais. Os valores obtidos para as variáveis observadas foram submetidos à análise de variância e análise de regressão para as épocas de amostragem considerando o nível de 5% de probabilidade. A produção de matéria seca foi ascendente durante todo o ciclo, demonstrando crescimento abundante a partir dos 90 de cultivo, seguido de estabilização nos últimos 30 dias de cultivo. Os sistemas de manejo não influenciaram a produção de matéria seca... / The aim of this study was to determine the intake of macronutrients on Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC. var. CPQBA-1 and the phenol content and amount in function of the time. Seedlings were produced from seeds of the Toxic and Medicine Plants Garden of FCF / UNESP in Araraquara. The statistical design was based on the methodology of experimental groups, in this case using two experiments with the same structure, varying only the planting method, trimming the plants at 15 cm above the ground on one of the experiments. The experimental design on randomized blocks, considered 5 sampling times, every 30 days during 150 days, in four repetitions making a total of 20 plots, composed by two pots and two plants on each pot, totalizing 40 experimental units. The collected materials were dried, ground and analyzed. The evaluations were: dry matter, nutritional status of plants (macronutrients) and total phenol content. Both aerial parts and roots were analyzed. The data collected on both experiments were submitted to group´s analysis for the qualitative factor (planting methods) considering the matter production and total phenol contents. The data were submitted to variance analysis and regression analysis for the sampling times with 5% level of 4 probability. The production of dry matter was upward during the 150 crop days, increasing after 90 days after the transplanting (DAT), then decreased in the last 30 days of cultivation. The planting methods did not influence the yield of dry matter on the upper parts and roots, needier the total phenols. The total phenols yield was upward reaching the maximum on the 150 DAT. The order of macronutrients accumulation after 150 days , on the intact plants was K> N> Ca> P> Mg> S, and on the trimmed plants was K> Ca> P> Mg> N > S. The potassium was the nutrient absorbed in larger quantities and Mg and S in smaller quantities.

Orientador: Luis Vitor Silva do Sacramento / Banca: Dirceu Maximino Fernandes / Banca: Lilian Aparecida Salgado Morais / Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi conhecer a marcha de absorção de macronutrientes em Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC. var. CPQBA-1, bem como verificar o acúmulo e o teor de fenólicos totais em função do tempo. As mudas foram obtidas a partir de sementes de matrizes do CPQBA/UNICAMP e transplantadas para vasos no início do experimento em casa de vegetação. Para o delineamento estatístico optou-se pela metodologia de grupos de experimentos, neste caso dois experimentos com a mesma estrutura, variando-se apenas o manejo no dia do transplantio, que constou de uma poda executada a 15 cm a partir do solo para um dos grupos. O delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, considerou cinco épocas de amostragem em intervalos de 30 dias durante 150 dias e quatro repetições, perfazendo-se um total de 20 parcelas, cada qual composta por dois vasos com duas plantas em cada vaso. No total, foram consideradas 40 unidades experimentais. O material fresco obtido em cada amostragem foi conduzido à secagem em estufa, triturado e submetido às análises. Avaliaram-se as partes aéreas e raízes quanto à massa da matéria seca, teor e acúmulo de macronutrientes e de fenólicos totais. Realizou-se a análise conjunta dos dois experimentos para os níveis do fator qualitativo (manejo), considerando-se as variáveis produção de matéria seca da parte aérea e raízes e acúmulo de fenólicos totais. Os valores obtidos para as variáveis observadas foram submetidos à análise de variância e análise de regressão para as épocas de amostragem considerando o nível de 5% de probabilidade. A produção de matéria seca foi ascendente durante todo o ciclo, demonstrando crescimento abundante a partir dos 90 de cultivo, seguido de estabilização nos últimos 30 dias de cultivo. Os sistemas de manejo não influenciaram a produção de matéria seca... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the intake of macronutrients on Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC. var. CPQBA-1 and the phenol content and amount in function of the time. Seedlings were produced from seeds of the Toxic and Medicine Plants Garden of FCF / UNESP in Araraquara. The statistical design was based on the methodology of experimental groups, in this case using two experiments with the same structure, varying only the planting method, trimming the plants at 15 cm above the ground on one of the experiments. The experimental design on randomized blocks, considered 5 sampling times, every 30 days during 150 days, in four repetitions making a total of 20 plots, composed by two pots and two plants on each pot, totalizing 40 experimental units. The collected materials were dried, ground and analyzed. The evaluations were: dry matter, nutritional status of plants (macronutrients) and total phenol content. Both aerial parts and roots were analyzed. The data collected on both experiments were submitted to group's analysis for the qualitative factor (planting methods) considering the matter production and total phenol contents. The data were submitted to variance analysis and regression analysis for the sampling times with 5% level of 4 probability. The production of dry matter was upward during the 150 crop days, increasing after 90 days after the transplanting (DAT), then decreased in the last 30 days of cultivation. The planting methods did not influence the yield of dry matter on the upper parts and roots, needier the total phenols. The total phenols yield was upward reaching the maximum on the 150 DAT. The order of macronutrients accumulation after 150 days , on the intact plants was K> N> Ca> P> Mg> S, and on the trimmed plants was K> Ca> P> Mg> N > S. The potassium was the nutrient absorbed in larger quantities and Mg and S in smaller quantities. / Mestre

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2015-03-27T13:35:23Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Emmeline Flor Ribeiro - 2014.pdf: 1787776 bytes, checksum: c8a4106ef03ff49855997007460d4558 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2015-03-27T14:47:39Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Emmeline Flor Ribeiro - 2014.pdf: 1787776 bytes, checksum: c8a4106ef03ff49855997007460d4558 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-27T14:47:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Emmeline Flor Ribeiro - 2014.pdf: 1787776 bytes, checksum: c8a4106ef03ff49855997007460d4558 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-12-09 / Aspidosperma subincanum Mart. is a medicinal herb used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and digestive illnesses. The bitter tonic of its bark is known by the indigenous population to stimulate circulatory functions. Although a previous study showed that EEAS induces hypotension associated with bradycardia and vasodilation, no scientific data have been described to evaluate the diuretic effects of this Brazilian medicine plant. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diuretic activity of an ethanol extract of Aspidosperma subincanum (EEAS), and possible mechanisms of action, using Wistar rats. EEAS, 60, 120 and 300 mg/Kg, or furosemide (20 mg/Kg) were orally administered and the rats were kept individually in metabolic cages for 24h for urine collection 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24h after treatments. To evaluate the involvement of prostanoids in the diuretic action of EEAS, the animals received piroxicam (5 mg/Kg, i.p.), a nonselective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, before treatment with EEAS 120 mg/Kg. The control groups received only saline (NaCl, 0,9%), or saline and piroxicam. The urinary volume, the water consumption, electrolyte excretion and pH were measured. The oral administration of EEAS 60 and 120mg/Kg increased significantly the urine and electrolyte excretion of Na+ and K+ continuously throughout the study period, wherein increased the urinary output from the first hour after treatment, and increased the electrolytes from the second hour onwards after treatment. EEAS 60 and 120 mg/Kg caused a relative increase in cumulative diuresis around of 77% and 142,95%, respectively, compared with the control group. EEAS 300 mg/Kg increased the urinary excretion from 8 h after treatment. From 4 h until the end of the experiment, the group treated with EEAS 120 mg/kg provided a major excretion of Na+ than the furosemide group, while the group treated with EEAS 60 mg/Kg provided a similar excretion of Na+ when compared to the group that received furosemide. The furosemide group showed significantly higher amounts of K+ in the urine when compared with the others group. The urinary excretion of EEAS was reduced by piroxicam 2 h, 4 h and 8 h after treatments by around 54.2%, 50.3% and 38.9%, respectively. Piroxicam reduced Na+ excretion between 4 and 8 h after treatments by 38.4 and 39.0%, respectively. And still inhibited the K+ excretion by around 28.2% at 4 h and 47.1% at 8 h. The results suggest that EEAS could present compound(s) responsible for diuretic activities, and the mechanism could involve prostanoids system. / O Aspidosperma subincanum Mart. é uma planta medicinal conhecida popularmente por ser utilizada no tratamento de hipercolesterolemia, diabetes e doenças digestivas. O tônico amargo de sua casca é conhecido pela população indígena por estimular as funções circulatórias. Embora, um estudo prévio tenha demonstrado que o extrato etanólico de Aspidosperma subincanum (EEAS) induz hipotensão associada à bradicardia e vasodilatação, nenhum estudo científico avaliou os efeitos diuréticos dessa planta medicinal brasileira. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a atividade diurética do EEAS e possíveis mecanismos de ação, utilizando ratos Wistar. EEAS, 60, 120 e 300 mg/Kg, ou furosemida (20 mg/Kg) foram administrados, via oral, e os ratos foram colocados individualmente em gaiolas semi-metabólicas durante 24 h para a coleta de urina, nos períodos de 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 e 24 h após os tratamentos. Para avaliar o envolvimento da via dos prostanoides no possível efeito diurético do EEAS, os animais receberam piroxicam (5 mg/Kg, i.p.), um inibidor não seletivo das cicloxigenases, previamente ao tratamento com EEAS 120 mg/Kg. Os grupos controle receberam apenas salina (NaCl, 0,9%), ou salina e piroxicam. O volume urinário, o consumo de água, a excreção de eletrólitos e o pH foram medidos. A administração oral de EEAS 60 e 120 mg/Kg aumentou significativamente a excreção urinária e de eletrólitos Na+ e K+ durante o período de estudo, sendo que houve aumento do volume urinário a partir da primeira hora após os tratamentos, e aumento da excreção de eletrólitos a partir de 2 h após os tratamentos. EEAS 60 e 120 mg/Kg causaram aumento relativo na diurese cumulativa de 24 h em aproximadamente 77% e 142,95%, respectivamente, comparado com grupo controle. EEAS 300 mg/Kg causou aumento da excreção urinária a partir de 8 h após tratamento. De 4 h até o final do experimento, o grupo tratado com EEAS 120 mg/kg proporcionou maior excreção de Na+ do que o grupo tratado com furosemida, enquanto o grupo tratado com EEAS 60 mg/Kg proporcionou excreção similar ao grupo furosemida, sendo que neste grupo ocorreu maior excreção de K+ na urina quando comparado com os outros grupos. A excreção urinária do EEAS foi reduzida por piroxicam nos períodos de 2 h, 4 h e 8 h após os tratamentos na proporção de 54.2%, 50.3% e 38.9%, respectivamente. O piroxicam também inibiu a excreção de Na+ entre 4 e 8 h após os tratamentos, na proporção de 38.4 e 39.0%, respectivamente. Ainda inibiu excreção de K+ na ordem de 28.2% em 4 h e 47.1% em 8 h. Os resultados mostram que o EEAS apresenta compostos ativos responsáveis pela atividade diurética em ratos, e o mecanismo de ação parece envolver a via dos prostanoides.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Carqueja (Baccharis trimera) is a native plant from South America, occurs in several settings, it is highly employed in popular medicine, and has been explored under a grasping way. This study had the purpose of producing information for the establishment of adequate strategies to the conservation of genetic resources of this specie. Assuming this, one searched for information related to the reproductive and genetic aspects of this specie. In the cytogenetics analysis, one looked for information related to the number of chromosomes, formation of male gametes (microsporogenesis) and polinic viability within eight native populations in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. In the calculation of the number of chromosomes, an average of 10 metaphasics cells by population was analyzed. It was used Giemsa 2% (v/v) dye. In the microsporogenesis analysis, the chromosomes association and distribution stages in the meiosis, as well as the formation of tetrads and polinic viability by the test of (2 (P(0,01) were compared. The dye used in the cells identification was propionic carmin 2% (m/v) and for the estimate of pollen viability, three different dyes were tested: propionic carmin 2%, orcein acetic 2% (m/v) and alexander reaction. For the genetic variability classification, samples of ten natural populations of adults and four to maternal progenies, come from southern Brazil, were colected. Allozyme markers were used, revealed from the electrophoresis in starch gel (penetrose 30 at 13%), with Tris-citrate gel-electrode buffer for the ACP, a - EST, b - EST, MDH, PRX, NADHDH and GTDH enzimatic systems. For the genetic structure portrayal, F de Wright s statistics were used. The reproductive system was classified from the evaluation of the existence of panmixy and inbreeding equilibrium, as well as from the multiloci rate crossing estimate. The main results revealed that the populations analyzed are diploids with 2n=2X=18 chromosomes. Within the eight populations of Baccharis trimera, either in meiosis I and meiosis II, the percentage of normal cells, meiotic index and pollen viability was up to 85%. These data indicate that the populations have a normal microsporogenesis in the development process of the specie, having no problems in its introduction to selection, crossing and seed production programs. When comparing the three dyes, significant differences were observed among them, what suggests that alexander reaction may be the most reliable in order to estimate the pollen s viability in this specie. The results obtained from the allozyme markers revealed high levels of diversity either in adults (P=71% A=2,1, Ho=0,217 and He=0,215) and progenies (P=81%, A=2,4, Ho=0,272 e He=0,269). Mostly of the genetic variability of Baccharis trimera is inside the populations (FST = 0,0326), with a surplus of heterozygotes in most populations. There are indicators that the effective populational size and the vegetation type are the most influencial factors in the differences found among the populations. The specie is allogamic with Tm=1,05. The populations studied are under an equilibrium of panmixy and inbreeding. If taken together, the results of this research give referential that can define strategies for the conservation of genetic resources of this specie. / A carqueja (Baccharis trimera (Less) DC.) é uma planta nativa da América do Sul, ocorre em vários ambientes, muito utilizada na medicina popular, sendo explorada de forma predatória. O desenvolvimento deste estudo teve como objetivo gerar informações para o estabelecimento de estratégias adequadas para a conservação de recursos genéticos da espécie. Desta maneira, buscou-se informações relativas a aspectos reprodutivos e genéticos da mesma. Nas análises citogenéticas, buscou-se informações a respeito do número de cromossomos, formação dos gametas masculinos (microsporogênese) e viabilidade polínica em oito populações nativas dos Estados do Rio Grande do Sul e de Santa Catarina. Na contagem do número de cromossomos, foram analisadas em média 10 células metafásicas por população. O corante usado foi Giemsa 2% (v/v). Nas análises da microsporogênese, foram comparadas as fases de associação e distribuição dos cromossomos na meiose, a formação de tétrades e viabilidade polínica pelo teste do (2 (P(0,01). O corante usado na identificação das células foi o carmim propiônico 2%(m/v) e para a estimativa da viabilidade do pólen foram testados três diferentes corantes: carmim propiônico 2%, orceína acética 2% (m/v) e reativo de alexander. Para a caracterização da variabilidade genética foram coletadas amostras de dez populações naturais de indivíduos adultos e quatro para progênies maternas procedentes do Sul do Brasil. Foram utilizados marcadores alozímicos, revelados a partir de eletroforese em gel de amido (penetrose 30-13%), com tampão eletrodo gel Tris citrato para os sistemas enzimáticos ACP, a - EST, b - EST, MDH, PRX, NADHDH e GTDH. Para a caracterização da estrutura genética foram usadas as estatísticas F de Wright. O sistema reprodutivo foi caracterizado a partir da avaliação da existência de equilíbrio de panmixia e endogamia, bem como a partir da estimativa da taxa de cruzamento multilocos. Os principais resultados revelaram que as populações analisadas são diplóides com 2n=2x=18 cromossomos. Para as oito populações de Baccharis trimera, tanto na meiose I quanto na meiose II, a porcentagem de células normais, índice meiótico e viabilidade do pólen foram acima de 85%. Estes dados indicam que as populações possuem uma microsporogênese normal, no processo evolutivo da espécie, não ocorrendo problemas quando de sua introdução em programas de seleção, cruzamento e produção de sementes. Na comparação entre os três corantes, foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os mesmos, sugerindo o corante reativo de alexander como o mais indicado para estimar a viabilidade do pólen nesta espécie. Os resultados obtidos pelos marcadores alozímicos revelaram níveis elevados de diversidades tanto para adultos (P=71% A=2,1, Ho=0,217 e He=0,215), quanto para as progênies (P=81%, A=2,4, Ho=0,272 e He=0,269). A maior parte da variabilidade genética de Baccharis. trimera está dentro das populações (FST = 0,0326), com excesso de heterozigotos para a maioria das populações. Há indicativos de que o tamanho efetivo populacional e o tipo vegetacional são os fatores de maior influência nas diferenças encontradas entre as populações. A espécie é alógama com Tm=1,05. As populações estudadas estão em equilíbrio de panmixia e endogamia. Tomados em conjunto, os resultados desta pesquisa fornecem referenciais que possibilitam definir estratégias para a conservação de recursos genéticos da espécie.