@article {341, title = {Effects of Rainfall on the Antimicrobial Activity and Secondary Metabolites Contents of Leaves and Fruits of Anadenanthera colubrina from Caatinga Area.}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {May 2017}, pages = {435-440}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {435}, abstract = {

Background: Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan var. cebil (Griseb) is a plant widely used for medicinal proposes in Brazilian Northeast. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the influence of rainfall indexes (RI) in antimicrobial activity and phytochemical constituents of extracts from leaves and fruits of A. colubrina. Material and Methods: Samples were collected in Catimbau National Park (Bu\íque, Pernambuco, Brazil) at September 2010 (RI: 75 mm) and January (RI: 65 mm), April (RI: 162 mm) and June 2011 (RI: 73 mm). The extracts were prepared by Soxhlet extraction using cyclohexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The antimicrobial activity was determined by MIC and MBC values. Results: All extracts showed antimicrobial activity, but ethyl acetate extracts (from all periods) were more active. Strong correlations were found between the RI and the average MIC of MLE (\ρ: -0.99), EALE (\ρ: -0.81), CHFE (\ρ: -0.81), EAFE (\ρ: -0.80); while moderate and weak correlations were found for other extracts. Through a HPLC analysis was possible to reveal that the samples collected from dry periods had more chemical diversity (as they presented more peaks). Gallic acid and quercetin (and derivative compounds) were identified. The levels of quercetin were enhanced in extracts from dry months. Conclusion: Our results showed that the rainfall has a positive effect on the antimicrobial activity of leaves and fruits of A. colubrina, however these extracts showed more chemical diversity during dry months.

}, keywords = {Antimicrobial agents, Medicinal plants, Natural products, Semi arid area}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2017.4.73}, url = {/files/PJ-9-4/10.5530pj.2017.4.73}, author = {Daniel Rodrigo Cavalcante de Ara{\'u}jo and Lu{\'\i}s Cl{\'a}udio Nascimento da Silva and Wolfgang Harand and J{\'u}lia Morais Fernandes and Thaciane da Cunha Soares and Silvana Maria Zucolotto Langassner and Raquel Brandt Giordani and Rafael Matos Ximenes and Alexandre Gomes da Silva and M{\'a}rcia Vanusa da Silva and Maria Tereza dos Santos Correia} } @article {329, title = {Microscopic Characterization of Croton cordiifolius Baill. (Euphorbiaceae)}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {April 2017 }, pages = {361-366}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {361}, abstract = {

Background: Croton cordiifolius Baill. is popularly known as \“quebra-faca\” in the Brazilian Northeast and is used to treat general inflammation, pain, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Objective: This paper aims to study the anatomical characteristics of C. cordiifolius. Materials and Methods: Cross-sections and paradermic sections of root, stem, petiole and leaf blade were obtained by hand and submitted to double staining with astra blue and safranin process for the anatomical study. Maceration was performed according to the method of Jeffrey. Results: The secondary root has peridermis, parenchymatic cortex, collateral vascular system surrounded by sclerenchyma. The secondary stem has peridermis, cortical region with lignified cells, isolated groups of fibers, laticifers, prismatic crystals, druses and starch. The vascular system of the stem is bicollateral. The petiole and the leaf blade have stellate, simple and glandular trichomes. The leaf blade is hypostomatic, with paracytic stomata. The mesophyll is isobilateral and the midrib shows a concave-convex contour. Laticifers occur in stem, petiole and leaf blade. Prismatic crystals and druses are found in all organs analysed. Through the maceration it was possible to identify the type of vessel elements. Conclusion: The anatomical features are useful for differentiation of other species of Croton and provide support to their quality control.

}, keywords = {Croton cordiifolius, Euphorbiaceae, Pharmacobotany, Plant anatomy, Quebra-faca}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2017.3.61}, url = {/files/PJ-9-3/10.5530pj.2017.3.61}, author = {Iasmine Andreza Basilio dos Santos Alves and Rafaela Damasceno S{\'a} and Mar{\'\i}lia Barbosa Cadena and Rafael Matos Ximenes and Karina Perrelli Randau} } @article {1476, title = {Dynamic Comparison of Free Radical Scavenging Abilities of Hypericum Perforatum L., Herba Verbenae Officinalis, and Valeriana Officinalis L. Extracts}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {7}, year = {2015}, month = {09th Mar, 2015}, pages = {198-204}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {198}, abstract = {

Objectives: The purpose of this research was to compare the dynamic antioxidant activities and the free radical scavenging abilities of three botanical supplements, Hypericum perforatum L. (HPL), Herba Verbena Officinalis (HVO), and Valeriana officinalis L. (VO), which have been reported to effectively treat menopause symptoms. Methods: The antioxidant activities of the three supplements were determined by the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assay. In addition, their free radical scavenging abilities were studied by ftheir interactions with the stable radicals of 2, 2\’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Results: The results indicated that the HPL ethanolic extract exhibited greater antioxidant activity (1.2688 \± 0.01 mmol Trolox/g) than the HVO ethanolic extract (1.1686\± 0.043 mmol Trolox/g) and the VO ethanolic extract (0.2579 \± 0.0031 mmol Trolox/g) as compared to Nilestriol (0.0026\±0.0012), a positive control agent in the experiment. Moreover, the HPL extract showed remarkable free radical scavenging activity against ABTS\•+, and the HVO extract was the most potent against DPPH\•. Conclusion: These activities may be attributed to the total flavonoid or phenolic acid contents of among these extracts.

Key words: ABTS\•+, DPPH\•, Hypericum perforatum L.,Herba Verbena Officinalis, Menopause Oxidative Stress, Valeriana officinalis L.

}, keywords = {ABTS{\textbullet}+, DPPH{\textbullet}, Herba Verbena Officinalis, Hypericum perforatum L., Menopause Oxidative Stress, Valeriana officinalis L.}, author = {Yi-ming Li and Yan-Ru Liu and Bing-Kun Xiao and Jian-Yun Yang and Rong-Qing Huang} } @article {57, title = {Dynamic Comparison of Free Radical Scavenging Abilities of Hypericum Perforatum L., Herba Verbenae Officinalis, and Valeriana Officinalis L. Extracts}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {7}, year = {2015}, month = {01/2015}, pages = {198-204}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {198}, abstract = {

Objectives: The purpose of this research was to compare the dynamic antioxidant activities and the free radical scavenging abilities of three botanical supplements, Hypericum perforatum L. (HPL), Herba Verbena Officinalis (HVO), and Valeriana officinalis L. (VO), which have been reported to effectively treat menopause symptoms. Methods: The antioxidant activities of the three supplements were determined by the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assay. In addition, their free radical scavenging abilities were studied by ftheir interactions with the stable radicals of 2, 2\’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Results: The results indicated that the HPL ethanolic extract exhibited greater antioxidant activity (1.2688 \± 0.01 mmol Trolox/g) than the HVO ethanolic extract (1.1686\± 0.043 mmol Trolox/g) and the VO ethanolic extract (0.2579 \± 0.0031 mmol Trolox/g) as compared to Nilestriol (0.0026\±0.0012), a positive control agent in the experiment. Moreover, the HPL extract showed remarkable free radical scavenging activity against ABTS\•+, and the HVO extract was the most potent against DPPH\•. Conclusion: These activities may be attributed to the total flavonoid or phenolic acid contents of among these extracts.

}, keywords = {ABTS{\textbullet}+, DPPH{\textbullet}, Herba Verbena Officinalis, Hypericum perforatum L., Menopause Oxidative Stress, Valeriana officinalis L.}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2015.3.9}, author = {Yi-ming Li and Yan-Ru Liu and Bing-Kun Xiao and Jian-Yun Yang and Rong-Qing Huang} } @article {90, title = {Pharmacognostical Standardisation and HPTLC Quantification of Gallic acid in Homonoia riparia Lour}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {7}, year = {2015}, month = {Nov-Dec 2015}, pages = {383-388}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {383}, abstract = {

Background: Homonoia riparia Lour. (Family: Euphorbiaceae) is an important medicinal plant in Indian and Chinese systems of medicine used in the treatment of various medical conditions like urolithiasis, renal problems, and inflammation. This is the first report on the pharmacognostical standardisation and phytochemical evaluation of whole plant of Homonoia riparia Lour. Objective: To establish the pharmacognostical and physicochemical standardisation parameters of whole plant of Homonoia riparia Lour. Materials and Methods: The plant was studied for the morpho-anatomical characters, standardisation parameters such as ash value, extractive value, fluorescence analysis, loss on drying, swelling index, foaming index according to Indian Pharmacopoeia and WHO guidelines. Phytochemical analysis was also performed by standard methods. Quantification of gallic acid in Homonoia riparia was carried out using HPTLC technique. Results: The detailed microscopy of root revealed the presence of cork, cork cambium, pericyclic fibres, thick walled parenchyma and starch granules. The distinguishing characters of stem are presence of sclereids, xylem, phloem, fibres. Leaf microscopy showed the presence of anomocytic stomata, bicollateral vascular bundles ensheathed by fibres. Rosette crystals are present in all the parts of the plant. Starch grains are abundantly present in root and stem but absent in leaves. Various physicochemical parameters were also determined. Phytochemical screening of the extract and HPTLC quantification of gallic acid was also performed. Conclusion: The present study provides pharmacognostical, physicochemical and phytochemical details of the whole plant of Homonoia riparia which are useful in laying down standardization and pharmacopoeia parameters

}, keywords = {Fluorescence analysis, Gallic acid, Homonoia riparia, Microscopic evaluation, Physicochemical parameters.}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2015.6.12}, author = {Seena Kanniparambil Xavier and Raviraj Anand Devkar and Shilpee Chaudhary and Chandrashekara Shastry Shreedhara and Manganahalli Manjunath Setty} }