O estudo da ontogênese floral é essencial para uma melhor compreensão dos processos evolutivos envolvidos no desenvolvimento dos órgãos reprodutivos dos vegetais. Este trabalho teve por objetivo analisar a ontogênese floral das espécies C. echinata, C. peltophoroides e C. ferrea, da família Fabaceae/ Caesalpinioideae Foram realizados estudos morfo-anatômicos com o emprego de técnicas de microscopia eletrônica de varredura e microscopia óptica. Os resultados obtidos permitiram determinar que a ontogênese floral das três espécies são similares: o meristema da inflorescência é indeterminado e inicia a formação de brácteas acropetalarmente. Cada bráctea protege um único meristema floral. O primórdio da sépala abaxial é o primeiro a ser formado pelo meristema floral, seguido dos primórdios das sépalas laterais e adaxiais, de forma unidirecional. Os primórdios das pétalas e dos estames epissépalos e epipétalos são iniciados a seguir. A formação do carpelo inicia-se com a formação de uma protuberância no centro do meristema floral e quando o primórdio do carpelo atinge cerca de 100 µm de altura, o mesmo inicia uma invaginação em seu lado adaxial formando uma fenda cuja superfície interna originará a placenta. Nos estágios que precedem a antese, há a diferenciação de células papilares no estigma. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho de descrição da ontogênese floral em Caesalpinia poderão servir de fundamentação para futuros estudos dos aspectos moleculares do desenvolvimento reprodutivo em leguminosas. / The study of the floral ontogeny is essential for the understanding the evolutionary processes involved in the development of the floral organs. The aim of this work was to analyse the floral ontogeny the species C. echinata, C. peltophoroides and C. ferrea, from the family Fabaceae/ Caesalpinioideae. Scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy techniques were used. The observed results indicated that the ontogeny events of the tree species were similar: the inflorescence apical meristem is indeterminate and initiates bracts in an acropetal order. Each bract protects a single floral meristem. The first floral organ formed is the abaxial sepal and it is followed by the lateral and adaxial sepal primordia in a unidirecional order. The whorls of petal and antepetalous and antesepalous stamen primordial are the next to begin. The carpel primordium arise as a mound in the center of the floral meristem. When the carpel primordium is about 100µm high, a cleft is formed in its adaxial side, on the site where the placenta will be formed. At anthesis, the stigma differentiates papilate cells. The results obtained with this descriptive work will serve as a foundation for future studies of the molecular aspects of reproductive development of legumes.

O estudo da ontogênese floral é essencial para uma melhor compreensão dos processos evolutivos envolvidos no desenvolvimento dos órgãos reprodutivos dos vegetais. Este trabalho teve por objetivo analisar a ontogênese floral das espécies C. echinata, C. peltophoroides e C. ferrea, da família Fabaceae/ Caesalpinioideae Foram realizados estudos morfo-anatômicos com o emprego de técnicas de microscopia eletrônica de varredura e microscopia óptica. Os resultados obtidos permitiram determinar que a ontogênese floral das três espécies são similares: o meristema da inflorescência é indeterminado e inicia a formação de brácteas acropetalarmente. Cada bráctea protege um único meristema floral. O primórdio da sépala abaxial é o primeiro a ser formado pelo meristema floral, seguido dos primórdios das sépalas laterais e adaxiais, de forma unidirecional. Os primórdios das pétalas e dos estames epissépalos e epipétalos são iniciados a seguir. A formação do carpelo inicia-se com a formação de uma protuberância no centro do meristema floral e quando o primórdio do carpelo atinge cerca de 100 µm de altura, o mesmo inicia uma invaginação em seu lado adaxial formando uma fenda cuja superfície interna originará a placenta. Nos estágios que precedem a antese, há a diferenciação de células papilares no estigma. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho de descrição da ontogênese floral em Caesalpinia poderão servir de fundamentação para futuros estudos dos aspectos moleculares do desenvolvimento reprodutivo em leguminosas. / The study of the floral ontogeny is essential for the understanding the evolutionary processes involved in the development of the floral organs. The aim of this work was to analyse the floral ontogeny the species C. echinata, C. peltophoroides and C. ferrea, from the family Fabaceae/ Caesalpinioideae. Scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy techniques were used. The observed results indicated that the ontogeny events of the tree species were similar: the inflorescence apical meristem is indeterminate and initiates bracts in an acropetal order. Each bract protects a single floral meristem. The first floral organ formed is the abaxial sepal and it is followed by the lateral and adaxial sepal primordia in a unidirecional order. The whorls of petal and antepetalous and antesepalous stamen primordial are the next to begin. The carpel primordium arise as a mound in the center of the floral meristem. When the carpel primordium is about 100µm high, a cleft is formed in its adaxial side, on the site where the placenta will be formed. At anthesis, the stigma differentiates papilate cells. The results obtained with this descriptive work will serve as a foundation for future studies of the molecular aspects of reproductive development of legumes.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The phytochemical study of the crude extract hexane, methanol and fractions (acid ether, basic ether and basic acetate) from the stem bark of E. crista-galli (Fabaceae) resulted in the isolation of four compounds: The phytosterol stigmasterol (70), the triterpene lupeol (71) and the alkaloids erysotrine (1) and epierythratidine (50), usual in the genus Erythrina. The structures of the isolated metabolites were elucidated by 1H and 13C NMR uni and bidimensional, and compared with standard sample and data available in the literature. The extracts, fractions and isolated compounds were tested for their antimicrobial and antitumor front cancer cells HT29 (colorectal) activities, as well as regarding the capacity of inhibition of enzymes prolyl oligopeptidase, dipeptidil peptidase-VI and acetylcholinesterase. The crude methanolic extract, all fractions and individual compounds showed high antimicrobial activity mainly against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The results were satisfactory in POP inhibition assays, when the crude methanolic extract and its fractions, mainly acid ether fraction, showed great inhibitor potential against this enzyme. For DPP-IV only the crude hexane extract was active. The in vitro antitumoral activity of the crude methanolic extract, basic fractions and the isolate alkaloids was investigated at different concentrations against the human colon cancer cell line HT-29 (PicoGreen dsDNA assay). The results suggest that the anti-proliferative effect of E. crista-galli extract on HT-29 cancer cells may be attributed, at least in part, to the presence of the erythrinian alkaloids 1 and 50. / O estudo fitoquímico do extrato bruto hexânico, metanólico e frações (éter ácida, éter básica e acetato básica) das cascas do caule de E. crista-galli (Fabaceae) resultou no isolamento de quatro compostos: o fitoesterol estigmasterol (70) e o triterpeno lupeol (71) além dos alcaloides erisotrina (1) e epieritratidina (50) usuais do gênero Erythrina. As estruturas dos metabólitos isolados foram elucidadas através de RMN 1H e 13C, uni e bidimensionais, além de comparação com amostra padrão quando existente e dados disponíveis na literatura. Os extratos, as frações e os compostos isolados foram testados quanto à sua atividade antimicrobiana, antitumoral frente a células cancerígenas HT29 (colorretal) e de inibição das enzimas POP, DPP-IV e AChE. Dentre as amostras testadas, o extrato bruto metanólico (EBM), suas frações (FEA, FEB e FAB) e compostos isolados apresentaram grande potencial antimicrobiano principalmente frente as bactérias Gram-positivas e Gram-negativas. Os resultados obtidos nos ensaios enzimáticos foram satisfatórios para a enzima POP, onde o EBM e suas frações, principalmente a fração éterea ácida (FEA), demonstraram grande potencial inibidor desta enzima. Para a DPP-IV apenas o extrato bruto hexânico (EBH) mostrou-se ativo. O efeito antitumoral da planta em questão também foi investigado e os resultados obtidos indicam que o EBM, a combinação das frações FEB e FAB e o alcaloide epieritratidina (50) possuem um grande efeito antiproliferativo frente às células do colorretal (HT29) após 72 horas de exposição.

Sixteen outbreaks of Senna occidentalis (coffee senna) occurring in cattle from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were reviewed. The great majority (75%) of the outbreaks occurred in adult cattle at pasture during the autumn and winter months with 50% occurring in May, evidencing a striking seasonality. Mortality rates varied from 4.2% to 55.2% and cattle died 2 days up to 2 weeks after showing clinical signs that included dry feces (occasionally diarrhea), muscle weakness, reluctance to move, tachypnea, instability of the hind limbs with dragging of the toes, tremors in muscles of the thighs, neck, and head, ear dropping, sternal recumbency, lateral recumbency and death. Myoglobinuria characterized by a dark red or black discolored urine was a consistent finding in cattle affected at pasture but not in those poisoned by ration contaminated with coffee senna beans. Creatine phosphokinase serum activity was markedly elevated. Main gross changes observed in 23 necropsies involved skeletal muscles of the hind limbs. These changes consisted of varying degrees of paleness of muscle groups. Subepicardial and subendocardial hemorrhages were present in the hearts of all affected cattle. Histologically a segmental degenerative myopathy of striated muscles was present in every case and had a multifocal polyphasic or monophasic character. Myocardial (3/23), hepatic (3/13), renal (3/10), and splenic (1/6) microscopic lesions were observed occasionally. Myocardial lesions were mild and consisted of vacuolation of cardiomyocytes or focal fibrosis. Hepatic changes consisted of diffuse hepatocellular vacuolation, cytosegrosomes within hepatocytes, and individual hepatocellular necrosis. Kidneys have vacuolar degeneration of tubular epithelium associated with acidophilic casts (proteinosis) within tubular lumina. In the spleen there was marked necrosis of lymphocytes of the white pulp. No histological changes were found in the brains of 13 affected cattle. The data of this study suggest that coffee senna poisoning is an important cause of death in cattle in southern Brazil. The epidemiological, clinical and pathological features described in the study shoud be useful for diagnosing the condition in the field. / Dezesseis surtos de intoxicação por Senna occidentalis (fedegoso) em bovinos do Rio Grande do sul foram revisados. A grande maioria dos surtos (75%) ocorreu em bovinos adultos em pastoreio durante o outono e inverno com 50% dos surtos ocorrendo em maio, evidenciando uma notável sazonalidade. Os coeficientes de mortalidade variaram de 4,2% a 55,2% e os bovinos morriam dois dias a duas semanas após mostrarem sinais clínicos que incluíam fezes ressecadas (ocasionalmente diarreia), fraqueza muscular, relutância em mover-se, taquipneia, instabilidade dos membros pélvicos com arrastamento das pinças, tremores nos músculos das coxas, pescoço e cabeça; orelhas caídas, decúbito esternal, decúbito lateral e morte. Mioglobinúria, caracterizada por urina vermelho-escura ou preta foi regularmente encontrada em bovinos afetados em pastoreio, mas não naqueles que se intoxicaram ingerindo ração contaminada com as sementes da planta. A atividade sérica da creatina fosfocinase estava acentuadamente elevada. As principais alterações macroscópicas observadas em 23 necropsias envolviam os músculos esqueléticos dos membros pélvicos. Essas alterações consistiam de graus variáveis de palidez em grupos musculares. Hemorragias subepicárdicas e subendocárdicas ocorreram nos corações de todos os bovinos afetados. Histologicamente, miopatia degenerativa dos músculos estriados esteve presente em todos os casos e tinha um caráter multifocal monofásico ou polifásico. Lesões microscópicas no miocárdio (3/23), fígado (3/13), rim (3/10) e baço (1/6) foram ocasionalmente observadas. As lesões miocárdicas eram discretas e consistiam de vacuolização dos cardiomiócitos ou fibrose focal. As lesões hepatocelulares consistiam de vacuolização difusa, formação de citossegrossomos e necrose individual. Nos rins havia degeneração vacuolar do epitélio tubular associada a cilindros eosinofílicos (proteinose) na luz tubular. No baço havia marcada necrose de linfócitos da polpa branca. Nenhuma alteração foi encontrada ao exame histológico do encéfalo de 13 bovinos afetados. Os dados deste estudo sugerem que a intoxicação por fedegoso é uma importante causa de morte em bovinos do sul do Brasil. Os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos descritos neste estudo deverão ser úteis no diagnóstico a campo desta intoxicação.

Root system development in the early phases of plant ontogeny Seed germination and subsequential developement of the root system is a critical stage of life of a newly rising plant. The plant must recognise and suitably and quickly find an answer to the environmental conditions in which it finds itself. However, the way in which the root system develops and its final architecture depends not only on the environmental conditions but also on the plant itself. In addition, responses to different conditions may vary among different plant species. This work examines the developement of a root system in the first four weeks of a plant's life. It observes the dependence on the amount of available nutrients in the substrate and on the amount of available nutrients the seed is given by the mother plant. It also briefly touches on the relations between seed germination, seed size and the amount of available nutrients. No differences relating to the amount of available nutrients were found in seed germination. However, differences in germination speeds were found between plant species. Plant biomass increases with the increasing amount of available nutrients in the substrate. This increase is relatively greater for plant species with a small seed size. Plant species with a big seed size invest relatively more...

by Fung Yin Lee, Annie. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 181-189). / ABSTRACT --- p.i / LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS --- p.iv / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.v / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.vi / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.ix / INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.4 / Chapter I. --- A. Arterial pressure --- p.4 / Chapter B. --- Regulation of arterial pressure --- p.7 / Chapter II. --- Hypertension --- p.14 / Chapter III. --- Treatment of hypertension --- p.29 / Chapter IV. --- Plants and their effects on blood pressure --- p.48 / Chapter V. --- Characteristics of the three plants being studied --- p.50 / MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.55 / Chapter A. --- Preparative procedures --- p.55 / Chapter 1. --- Preparation of plant extracts --- p.55 / Chapter 2. --- Animal preparation for invivo blood pressure measurement --- p.56 / Chapter 3. --- Preparation of right atria for in vitro studies --- p.56 / Chapter 4. --- Preparation of artery strips for in vitro studies --- p.57 / Chapter 5. --- Preparation for diuretic studies --- p.58 / Chapter B. --- Experiments done --- p.60 / Chapter 1. --- Cumulative dose response of individual plant extract --- p.60 / Chapter 2. --- Combination of plant extracts --- p.60 / Chapter 3. --- Pharmacological antagonists studies --- p.64 / Chapter a. --- Autonomic ganglion transmission --- p.64 / Chapter b. --- Alpha adrenergic activity --- p.64 / Chapter c. --- Beta adrenergic activity --- p.65 / Chapter d. --- Cholinergic activity --- p.65 / Chapter e. --- Histaminergic activity --- p.65 / Chapter f. --- Serotoninergic activity --- p.65 / Chapter 4. --- Urinary and sodium excretionin water loaded rats --- p.66 / Chapter 5. --- Studies on chronotropic and inotropic effects on isolated right atrium --- p.66 / Chapter a. --- Effect of individual plant extract --- p.66 / Chapter b. --- Effect of combination of plant extracts --- p.66 / Chapter 6. --- Effect of plant extract on contractile responses of rat tail artery strips --- p.70 / Chapter a. --- Effect of individual plant extract --- p.70 / Chapter b. --- Effect of combination of plant extracts --- p.70 / Chapter 7. --- Effect of acute oral feeding of plant extracts on blood pressure of rats --- p.71 / Chapter C. --- Statistics --- p.71 / RESULTS / Chapter A. --- Preparation of plant extracts --- p.72 / Chapter B. --- Effect of plant extracts on blood pressure changes --- p.72 / Chapter 1. --- Individual plant extract --- p.72 / Chapter 2. --- Combination of two plant extracts --- p.73 / Chapter 3. --- Combination of three plant extracts --- p.76 / Chapter C. --- Pharmacological antagonist studies --- p.79 / Chapter 1. --- Autonomic ganglion transmission --- p.79 / Chapter 2. --- Alpha adrenergic activity --- p.79 / Chapter 3. --- Beta adrenergic activity --- p.81 / Chapter 4. --- Cholinergic activity --- p.82 / Chapter 5. --- Histaminergic activity --- p.83 / Chapter 6. --- Serotoninergic activity --- p.84 / Chapter D. --- Urinary and sodium excretion in water loaded rats --- p.85 / Chapter E. --- Chronotropic and inotropic studies of isolated right atrium --- p.88 / Chapter 1. --- Effect of individual plant extract --- p.88 / Chapter 2. --- Effect of combination of plant extracts --- p.89 / Chapter F. --- Effect of plant extracts on contractile responses of rat tail artery strips --- p.101 / Chapter G. --- Effect of acute oral feeding of plant extracts on MAP of rats --- p.102 / DISCUSSION --- p.156 / Chapter A. --- Comment on preparation of plant extracts --- p.156 / Chapter B. --- The hypotensive effects of the plant extracts --- p.157 / Chapter C. --- The mechanism of action --- p.159 / Chapter D. --- The renal effect of plant extracts --- p.161 / Chapter E. --- The interaction of the hypotensive effect of plant extracts --- p.164 / Chapter F. --- In vitro studies --- p.167 / Chapter G. --- The oral effect of the plant extracts --- p.174 / SUMMARY --- p.176 / CONCLUSION --- p.179 / REFERENCES --- p.181 / APPENDIX --- p.190 / "Appendix I To study the hypotensive effects of trypsin treated green bean, rue and kelp" --- p.191 / "Appendix II To study the hypotensive effects of ether treated green bean, rue and kelp" --- p.194

The objectives of this study were to investigate temporal changes in the diversity of pine rockland Fabaceae, induced by anthropogenic factors. Herbarium collections spanning 170 years were used to analyze species frequency and richness. The results indicated temporal fluctuations in diversity with frequency of native species highest previous to the year 1920, and exotic-invasive species richness peaking after the 1960s. The accompanying species list resulting from the inventory included 122 Fabaceae species, in 56 genera, with an additional 19 species not previously listed for pine rocklands. The results emphasize the damage caused by early and deliberate introductions of exotic species, and reinforces previous knowledge that exotic-invasives seem to be increasingly harmful to local biodiversity. The results also provide evidence of the historical distribution of species, helpful to conservation and restoration efforts. This study provides a needed review and status update for the Fabaceae taxa of the pine rocklands.

A double sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to quantify the proteinaceous inhibitor of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) which occur in the tissue of Erythrina caffra Thunb. Using the ELISA the t-PA inhibitor could be detected in nanogramme quantities on the micro titer plate. The concentration of the t-PA inhibitor was determined in different tissues of Erythrina caffra. t-PA inhibitor concentrations in the order of 1 000 microgrammes per gramme protein were found in the seeds. Relatively small quantities of t - PA inhibitor, in the order of 10 to 50 microgrammes per gramme protein, occurred in root, shoot, leaf and living bark material. The t-PA inhibitor was found to accumulate in a similar way to the storage proteins in developing seeds. The accumulation of the inhibitor is at a relatively low level during the early period of seed development but increases exponentially just before the seeds reach their maximum size. The t-PA inhibitor content of the cotyledons decreased drastically during the process of germination and subsequent seedling development. The disappearance of the inhibitor be the result of total degradation of the molecule can or partial proteolysis with the modified molecule still being present in the tissue. An attempt was made to increase the t-PA inhibitor content of excised leaves of Erythrina caffra with protein inducing substances such as polyamines, precursors of ethylene and phytic acid. The protein inducing compounds included cell wall hydrolysates of Erythrina caffra, the marine alga Ecklonia maxima Osbeck (Papenfuss) as well as Lycopersicon esculentum Mill which induced the, synthesis of proteinase inhibitors suggested to be involved in the defense mechanism of plants. None of the substances used, increased the t-PA inhibitor content of excised leaves or in vitro cultures of Erythrina caffra. It is suggested that the t-PA inhibitor is probably not involved in a defense mechanism of Erythrina caffra. A callus and suspension culture derived from shoot tissue was developed to determine the occurrence of the t-PA inhibitor in vitro. The optimal nutrient medium for the growth of callus was the salts and vitamins of MURASHIGE and SKOOG (1962). The medium was supplemented with 3 % sucrose, 0. 1 gramme per litre meso - inositol, 10 micromoles per litre benzyl adenine and 5 micromoles per litre 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid . Different auxins and cytokinins had a similar growth stimulatory effect on the growth of callus derived from a number of organs of Erythrina caffra. The callus from different organs did however, grow at different rates on the same nutrient medium. Callus derived from leaf, shoot, and cotyledonary tissue grew at similar rates on the nutrient media of MURASHIGE and SKOOG (1962), SCHENK and HILDEBRANDT (1972) and B5 (GAMBORG, MILLER and OJIMA, 1968) despite large differences in the concentration of the nutrients in the three nutri.ent media. The source of nitrogen and ratio of nitrate to ammonium was critical to the growth of callus cultures . The optimal concentration of nitrate and ammonium was 30 millimoles per litre . The growth of callus from different organs was significantly affected by the concentration of sucrose in the nutrient medium. A concentration of 3% was optimal for callus growth. Temperature had a significant effect on the growth of callus. The optimal temperature for callus growth was 25 °C. A shoot cell suspension culture was established and maintained at the same temperature and on the same medium as the callus cultures but with a ten times lower concentration of growth regulators. A low shake speed was essential for the growth of the suspension culture. Maximum growth was obtained at a shake speed of 60 rpm. Relatively low quantities of t-PA inhibitor, in the order of 1 to 5 microgrammes per gramme protein, was detected in the suspension cultures. An attempt was made to increase the t-PA inhibitor content of the suspension cultures with the pro te in i nduc i ng compounds used on excised leaves, but without success. However, the t-PA inhibitor content of the suspension culture was significantly increased with a ten times increase in the sulphate content of the nutrient medium. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1990.

Submitted by Ana Hilda Fonseca (anahilda@ufba.br) on 2014-09-17T17:07:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE COMPLETA.pdf: 4364010 bytes, checksum: db848addf66479f547ccb64d058e01e0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Fatima Cleômenis Botelho Maria (botelho@ufba.br) on 2014-09-19T12:34:03Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE COMPLETA.pdf: 4364010 bytes, checksum: db848addf66479f547ccb64d058e01e0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-09-19T12:34:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE COMPLETA.pdf: 4364010 bytes, checksum: db848addf66479f547ccb64d058e01e0 (MD5) / CNPq e CAPES / Os extratos MeOH de Poincinella pyramidalis (caatingueira), obtidas da casca da raiz (PPCR) e das flores (PPF), bem como, as frações orgânicas obtidas por partição, foram submetidas a testes de atividade citotóxica, antioxidante e anticolinesterásica. O teste citotóxico contra Artemia salina revelou atividade moderada para fase AcOEt em PPCR. Assim como, a fase AcOEt de PPCR apresentou 75% de inibição no teste anticolinesterásico. Para a atividade antioxidante, as fase AcOEt e BuOH de PPF foi a mais ativa, sendo atribuída a presença de galato de metila (PPF3). Por meio de processos cromatográficos foi possível isolar da fase DCM de PPF as substâncias PPF1 (alcoóis graxos), PPF2a-b (β–sitosterol/estigmasterol), PPF3 (galato de metila) e PPF4 (α e β–amirina). Além dessas, foram isoladas da fase hexano de PPCR ésteres metílicos (PPCR1) e o biflavonoide 5,7-dihidroxi-4´-metoxiflavona-6α-2´´´,4´´´-dihidroxi-4´´- metoxidihidrochalcona (PPCR3). Da fase hidroMeOH de PPCR foram isoladas as substâncias PPCR2 (ácido 3,3´-dimetoxi-4-hidroxielagico-4´-β-D-xilopiranosideo) e outro biflavonoide PPCR4 (5-hidroxi-7,4´-dimetoxiflavona-3α-2´´´-hidroxi-4´´´,4´´- dimetoxidihidrochalcona). Sendo PPCR3 e PPCR4 inéditas na literatura. O extrato hexano de Theobroma cacao (cacau) obtido das sementes (STC) foi analisado por RMN e revelou presença de triacilglicerideos. A otimização e fracionamento do extrato MeOH de T. cacao utilizando CCC levou ao isolamento simultâneo de teobromina (2), teofilina (3) e cafeína (4), fase móvel hexano:AcOEt (2:3) e estacionária MeOH:H2O (1:1). Um método analítico foi desenvolvido empregando HPLC/DAD com coluna fase reversa C-18 para a quantificação de 2, 3 e 4 nos extrativos em fase ácida/básica e nas frações STC6-22 e STC23-67 obtidas por CCC. Assim, os teores de 2 e 4 para no extrato MeOH de T. cacao e frações obtidas por CCC foram determinados. A teofilina (3) detectada e quantificada na fração STC6-22 em baixa concentração (0,78 mg/g) em relação a 2 e 4. A apigenina (6) foi sintetizada utilizando dois métodos distintos (“A” e “B”). O metodo “B” apresentou rendimento de 74% em uma única etapa. A síntese de derivados O-metilados forneceu bons rendimentos (> 90%). As substâncias isoladas/sintetizadas foram submetidas à atividade anticolinesterasica do qual, são inativas. As mesmas foram elucidadas a partir de dados de IV, UV, EM, α[D], RMN de 1H e 13C (BB e APT), RMN de correlação (HMQC, HSQC e HMBC). / The MeOH extracts from Poincinella pyramidalis (caatingueira), obtained of bark root (PPCR) and flowers (PPF), as well the organic fractions obtained by partition, have been tested for cytotoxicity, antioxidant and anticholinesterasic activity. The cytotoxic test against Artemia salina showed moderate activity for AcOEt phase in PPCR. Well the EtOAc phase of PPCR showed 75% inhibition on anticholinesterasic test. For the antioxidant activity, the EtOAc and BuOH phase of PPF was the most active, being attributed to the presence of methyl gallate (PPF3). For chromatographic process was possible to isolate the DCM phase of PPF the substances PPF1 (fatty alcohols), PPF2a- b (β–sitosterol/stigmasterol), PPF3 (methyl galate) and PPF4 (α- and β–amirin). Besides these, were isolated from the hexane phase PPCR methyl esters (PPCR1) and the biflavonoid 5,7-dihidroxy-4´-methoxyflavone-6α-2´´´,4´´´-dihidroxy-4´´-methoxy dihidrochalcone (PPCR3). The HidroMeOH phase of PPCR were the isolated substances PPCR2 (3,3´-dimethoxi-4-hidroxyellagicacid-4´-β-D-xylopiranoside) and other biflavonoid PPCR4 (5-hidroxy-7,4´-dimethoxyflavone-3α-2´´´-hidroxy-4´´´,4´´- dimethoxydihidrochalcone). Being PPCR3 and PPCR4 unpublished in literature. Hexane extract of Theobroma cacao (cacau) obtained from the seeds (STC) was analyzed by NMR and revealed the presence of triacylglycerides. The optimization and fractionation of MeOH extract of T. cacao using CCC led to the simultaneous isolation of theobromine (2) Theophylline (3) and caffeine (4), mobile phase hexane:EtOAc (2:3) and stationary MeOH:H2O (1:1). An analytical method was developed employing HPLC/DAD with reverse phase column C-18 for the measurement of 2, 3 and 4 in the extractives acid/base phase and the STC6-22 and STC23-67 fractions obtained by CCC. So, the levels of 2 and 4 for the MeOH extract of T. cacao and fractions obtained by CCC were determined. Theophylline (3) detected and quantified in the fraction STC6-22 low concentration (0.78 mg/g) in relation the 2 and 4. Apigenin (6) was synthesized using two different methods ("A" and "B"). The method "B" had a yield of 74% in one step. The synthesis of O-methylated derivatives provided good yields (> 90%). The isolated/synthesized substances were submitted to anticholinesterasic activity which are inactive. The same were elucidated from data of IR, UV, MS, α[D], 1H NMR and 13C NMR (BB and APT) NMR correlation (HMQC, HSQC and HMBC).

Mutualistic interactions between species are balanced on a delicate scale of net benefits to both interacting partners. The dynamics of such interactions could change depending on the context in which these interactions occur. One of the most well-studied models for interspecies mutualisms are myrmecophytic systems, also known as ant-plant systems, where the host plant (myrmecophyte) provides shelter (domatia), solely or along with food resources, for ant partners, while the domatia-resident ants intensively patrol and protect the host plant from herbivory. In some cases, nutrient flux has also been reported from the ant-derived debris in the domatia to the host plant. Such mutualisms are often vulnerable to exploitation by non-mutualist organisms or interlopers such as non-protective ants and other invertebrates that use the plant rewards without any returns. Since provision of domatia and food imposes costs on the host plants, the trajectory of evolution in such cases where protection is partial or absent needs investigation to understand the evolution of myrmecophytism. In this thesis, we investigate the possibility of evolution of myrmecophytism in the absence of universal protection by partner ants, using the unique semi-myrmecophyte (domatia are not expressed in all individuals of the species) Humboldtia brunonis as the study model. H. brunonis is endemic to the tropical wet evergreen forests of the Western Ghats of India. Being locally abundant in its distribution range, this plant species has also been used in characterising forest types in the Western Ghats. H. brunonis provides domatia (modified stem internodes) and food for ants in the form of extrafloral nectar (EFN) on leaves and bracts of floral buds in all individuals. Each domatium has a self-opening slit, which could have led to the domatia being accessed and inhabited by numerous ants and other non-ant invertebrates throughout its distribution range. Of these, only one ant species, Technomyrmex albipes, has been reported to be significantly protective against herbivores, and the protection received by the plant is reported to be restricted only to one site where T. albipes is most abundant. In the light of the above, the possible explanation for continued expression of rewards (domatia as well as EFN) in the absence of universal protection was investigated. Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter starts with a brief history of the concept of mutualism, evolution and maintenance of mutualism, and trophic mutualism amongst organisms in general. This is followed by a description of ant–plant mutualisms, and the various interactions that drive the interaction in such systems, with a more detailed emphasis on trophic mutualism in ant-plants, and stable isotope analysis as a technique that is used to study trophic mutualism in ant-plants. The study system, Humboldtia brunonis is introduced, and all the studies on this system preceding this current thesis are discussed in the light of findings in other ant-plant systems. Lastly, the objectives of the thesis are briefly introduced as separate chapters. Chapter 2: Context dependency of rewards and services in an Indian ant–plant interaction: southern sites favour the mutualism between plants and ants (published in Journal of Tropical Ecology) Earlier studies on the H. brunonis system have shown that there is geographic variation in the occupancy of the domatia, with domatia in the northern part of the H. brunonis range being dominantly occupied by an arboreal earthworm species, while domatia in the south are mostly occupied by ants, especially the sole protective ant T. albipes. Further, it has been reported that herbivory is significantly reduced in the presence of ants in the south. In the present study, conducted at 5 sites spanning the distribution range of H. brunonis, we observed that there is a geographic variation in various ant-related plant traits such as abundance of domatia-bearing individuals, number of nectaries per leaf, size of nectaries, and volume and composition of the EFN, with a clear north–south increasing gradient. However, strong protection mutualism was observed only at one site in the south where herbivory pressure was highest. By comparing our results with earlier findings, we show that in addition to geographic variation, there is also temporal variation in the strength of protection mutualism, and that protection mutualism in this system is context-dependent. These results provide new perspectives on the evolution of myrmecophytism. Chapter 3: Leaf expansion and foliar extrafloral nectar as defence strategies in a paleotropical ant-plant Humboldtia brunonis (Fabaceae) (a section of this chapter is submitted to Biotropica) Despite the absence of universal protection against herbivory, H. brunonis plants constitutively secrete EFN and domatia. We therefore explored other non-chemical defences in this system, and investigated possible explanations for the continued reward production. We observed rapid rate of leaf expansion during the early and most vulnerable phase of leaf phenology, and propose this as a strategy to escape herbivory. The young leaves are also subject to being infested by phloem-feeding Hemiptera, but there was seldom any case of ants tending Hemiptera for honeydew (sugary material excreted by the Hemiptera) on the plant. We analysed the sugar and amino acids compositions of EFN, honeydew and phloem sap, and found that EFN composition was much richer and more attractive (to ants) than honeydew, thereby suggesting that EFN could possibly function to distract ants from tending Hemiptera on the plant, thereby avoiding further damage to the plant. We also observed that EFN composition was much richer than phloem sap, and thereby confirmed that EFN is not mere phloem exudate; rather, our results suggests that EFN could possibly be synthesized actively in the secretory cells of the extrafloral nectary. Anatomical observations of the foliar nectaries further support the synthesis of EFN in the secretory cells of the nectary. Chapter 4: Nutritional benefits from domatia-inhabitants in an ant–plant interaction: interlopers do pay the rent (published in Functional Ecology) In this chapter, we explore how a myrmecophytic system could evolve in the absence of protection benefits from the partner ants. We investigate non-protective benefits, specifically trophic (nutrient) benefits, from the protective and non-protective ants and other invertebrates to the host plant, using stable isotope techniques. We selected three representative inhabitant species for our analysis, viz., the protective ant T. albipes, a non-protective ant Crematogaster dorhni, and the arboreal earthworm Perionyx pullus. We observed that earthworms contributed approximately 9% while protective or non-protective ants contributed approximately 17% of the nitrogen to the plant tissues nearest to the domatium. We also observed from 15N labelling experiments that that nutrients from the domatia are not restricted solely to the domatia-bearing branch but could travel to distant non-domatia bearing branches as well. This study demonstrated for the first time that non-protective ants and non-ant invertebrates that inhabit the domatia, and hitherto referred to as interlopers, could be in a trophic mutualism with the host plant, thereby proposing the possibility of trophic mutualism as a factor for the evolution and maintenance of the domatia trait in addition to or in the absence of protection mutualism. It is also possible that fitness benefits of bearing domatia, acquired via trophic mutualism, could later facilitate the establishment of a specialised ant–plant protection mutualism. Chapter 5: Structure and development of the caulinary domatia of Humboldtia brunonis In this chapter, we investigate the morphology of domatia at different ontogenetic stages in order to understand the mode of development of the domatia. Our observations show that the domatium of H. brunonis is formed spontaneously near the terminal end of a growing branch, next to the young apical shoot. It appears as a young swollen internode which is soft and fleshy with the pith tissue still present. As the domatia grows and expands, the collective effect of both schizogeny as well as lysogeny, act on on the pith region. We also observed acropetal lignification of the pith cells around the hollow chamber. We investigate micro-scale anatomy of the inner wall of the domatia using scanning electron microscopy, and observed that the inner lining of the domatia cavity have canaliculated, lignified sclerenchyma with numerous plasmodesmata (intercellular pits) that could facilitate the flow of occupant-derived nutrients supporting trophic interaction between the plant and its domatia inhabitants. We also observed fungal mycelia-like structures in ant-occupied domatia that suggests the possibility of a fungus as a third party in the ant–plant trophic mutualism, as is observed in some other myrmecophytic systems. This aspect however needs further investigation. Chapter 6: Conclusion In this chapter, the main findings of the preceding chapters are summarised. A general conclusion of the thesis is provided, and future directions leading from the present thesis are also listed. The present thesis has explored the dynamics of interactions between a unique semi-myrmecophyte and its domatia-inhabitants; while the unprotected host plant resorts to an escape strategy to evade foliar herbivory, the ants (and other invertebrates) seem to have bid “a farewell to arms” and yet maintain a mutualism with its host via nutrient exchange. The results of this thesis contribute to furthering our current understanding of the evolution and stability of inter-species mutualisms.