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Plants hold biochemical and physiological mechanisms to withstand drought conditions. Generally, depending on water deficit interval, plant rehydration relies on how it can retain growth or a positive water balance—or rarely both. In this study, two species of Hymenaea, one from the Amazon and the other from the Brazilian Cerrado, were investigated for their physiological mechanism associated with growth rehydration upon short-term exposure to drought stress. Our findings demonstrate that Hymenaea courbaril tends to invest in nitrogen to the detriment of carbon compounds, − as it is limited by lower net photosynthesis − and adjust root growth to attenuate drought stress responses. In contrast, Hymenaea stigonocarpa takes advantage of higher water potential and a basal rate of lower net photosynthesis to support aboveground growth under such conditions. Hence, it is postulated that there are distinct ways of controlling water status and growth between H. courbaril and H. stigonocarpa, which are determined either by the ability of the species to keep net photosynthesis at low levels of water content or by favoring the accumulation of nitrogen compounds. Both mechanisms were effective with regards to water use efficiency and thus it is reasonable to suggest that strategies are not exclusive and may work under adverse conditions, as observed in Amazon and Brazilian Cerrado biomes.Query [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is aimed to investigate the in vitro anti-leishmanial activity of ethanolic, aqueous or dichloromethane extracts of leaves, flowers, fruits or roots, of six medicinal plant species, namely, Nectandra megapotamica, Brunfelsia uniflora, Myrcianthes pungens, Anona muricata, Hymenaea stigonocarpa and Piper corcovandesis. After isolation and analysis of chemical components by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS), the extracts were also tested for toxicity in J774.A1 macrophages and human erythrocytes. Phenolic acids, flavonoids, acetogenins, alkaloids and lignans were identified in these extracts. Grow inhibition of promastigotes forms of Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania braziliensis and the cytotoxicity in J774.A1 macrophages were estimated by the XTT method. The most promising results for L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis were shown by the ethanolic extract of the fruits of Hymenaea stigonocarpa and dichloromethane extract of the roots of Piper corcovadensis, with IC50 of 160 and 150 μg mL−1, resp. Ethanolic extracts of A. muricata (leaf), B. uniflora (flower and leaf), M. pungens (fruit and leaf), N. megapotamica (leaf), and aqueous extract of H. stigonocarpa (fruit) showed IC50 > 170 μg mL−1 for L. amazonensis and > 200 μg mL−1 for L. braziliensis. The extracts exhibited low cytotoxicity towards J774.A1 macrophages with CC50 > 1000 μg mL−1 and hemolytic activity from 0 to 46.1 %.

Este estudo avaliou o impacto da presença da gramínea exótica (Brachiaria decumbens) na herbivoria e no desenvolvimento de plântulas de espécies nativas (Hymenaea stigonocarpa e Dipteryx alata) de Cerrado. Para avaliar o impacto da presença da gramínea, 10 blocos em pastagem (antiga área de Cerrado) na Embrapa Gado de Corte (Campo Grande-MS) foram demarcados em janeiro de 2009. As gramíneas foram mantidas intactas em metade dos blocos e, na outra metade, foram removidas. Em cada tratamento, foram avaliados a herbivoria, a altura e o diâmetro na altura do solo (DAS) de 25 plântulas de cada espécie ao longo do ano. O conteúdo de carbono, nitrogênio e água das folhas também foi quantificado. Plântulas de Hymenaea stigonocarpa nos tratamentos com gramínea tiveram maior taxa de crescimento em diâmetro que as plântulas no tratamento sem gramíneas. As plântulas de Dipteryx alata que estavam no tratamento sem gramíneas tiveram maiores taxas de crescimento em altura que as do tratamento com gramíneas. Houve diferença na taxa de herbivoria de D.alata entre os tratamentos. As plântulas das duas espécies que estavam no tratamento com gramínea mostraram maiores concentrações de carbono e menores de água. O conteúdo de nitrogênio foliar foi maior no tratamento com gramíneas que no sem gramíneas em D.alata; já o nitrogênio em H. stigonocarpa não variou entre os tratamentos. Esses resultados mostram que cada espécie nativa possui distintas respostas fisiológicas e suscetibilidade à herbivoria em ambientes sob competição de recursos com a gramínea exótica, B. decumbens.This study evaluated the impact of the presence of the exotic grass (Brachiaria decumbens) on the herbivory and development of seedlings of native species (Hymenaea stigonocarpa and Dipteryx alata) of the Cerrado. Thus, 10 pasture plots (former Cerrado) at the Embrapa Gado de Corte (Campo Grande-MS) were demarcated in January 2009. The grasses were kept intact in half of the plots and were removed in the other half. In each treatment, the herbivory, as well as height and diameter at ground level (DGL) of 25seedlings of each species were evaluated during one year. Carbon, nitrogen and water content of the leaves in each treatment were also quantified. Seedlings of Hymenaea stigonocarpa in plots without grasses had higher diameter growth rates than seedlings in plots with grasses. Dipteryx alata seedlings grown in plots without grasses had a higher height growth rate than seedlings grown in plots with grasses. There was a difference in the herbivory rate of D. alata between treatments. Seedlings of plots with grasses for the two species showed a higher concentration of carbon and lower amount of water. The leaf nitrogen content was higher in plots with grasses than without grasses in D. alata, while nitrogen in H. stigonocarpa did not vary between treatments. These results showed that each native species had distinct physiological responses and susceptibility to herbivory in environments under resource competition with the exotic grass B. decumbens.

O Cerrado brasileiro possui inúmeras espécies frutíferas com potencial econômico para exploração em cultivo comercial. Neste contexto, desenvolveu-se um experimento com mudas de jatobá-do-cerrado na Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, em Aquidauana - MS, de 29-outubro-2009 a 25-fevereiro-2010, em estufa agrícola coberta com filme de polietileno de 150 μm, difusor de luz, possuindo tela termorrefletora de 50% sob o filme e fechamentos laterais e frontais com tela de monofilamento, malha para 50% de sombreamento e viveiro com tela preta de monofilamento para sombreamento de 50%, fechamento em 45º. Nesses ambientes, as mudas foram formadas em vasos plásticos de 5,0 L, preenchidos com 100% de solo, 100% de composto orgânico e as doses de 10; 20; 30; 40; 50; 60; 70; 80 e 90 de composto orgânico adicionadas ao solo. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com cinco repetições. Em ambos os ambientes de cultivo, as plântulas emergiram mais rapidamente, com maior crescimento e acúmulo de biomassa em substrato sem adição de composto orgânico. As plântulas do substrato sem composto orgânico desenvolveram-se melhor na estufa agrícola. As mudas do jatobá-do-cerrado não apresentaram resposta positiva em relação ao aumento das doses do composto orgânico. O composto orgânico utilizado aumentou o pH dos substratos, apresentou excesso de certos nutrientes e não contribuiu para um crescimento efetivo das mudas.The Brazilian Cerrado has numerous fruit species with economic potential for exploitation in commercial cultivation. In this context an experiment was developed with jatobá-do-cerrado seedlings at the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul / Aquidauana-MS, from October 29th , 2009 to February 25th , 2010, in a greenhouse covered with polyethylene film of 150μm, light diffuser, with thermal reflective screen of 50% of shading under film, front and side with monofilament screen of 50% of shading and the nursery with black monofilament screen of 50% of shading and closing of 45 degrees. In these environments the plants were grown in plastic pots of 5.0 L filled with 100% of soil, 100% of organic compound and levels of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 of organic compound added to the soil. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized split-plot scheme with five replications. In both environments, plants have emerged more rapidly, higher growth and more biomass accumulation in the substrate without addition of organic compound. In this substrate the plants developed better in the greenhouse. The seedlings did not show positive response at the organic compost levels. The organic compound used increased the pH of the substrates, showed excess of certain nutrients and did not contribute to an effective seedling growth.

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Stem bark and fruit pulp of Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart ex. Hayne (Fabaceae) has been popularly used to treat inflammation and gastrointestinal diseases including ulcers, diarrhea and gastric pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of a methanol extract derived from the stem bark and diet with fruit pulp of Hymenaea stigonocarpa in the TNBS model of intestinal inflammation in rats. Material and methods: The intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of stem bark extract (100, 200 and 400mg/kg) and fruit pulp (10% and 5% in diet) was measured against the intestinal inflammatory process induced by TNBS (trinitrobenzesulphonic acid) in rats. The protective effects were evaluated as follows: evaluation of intestinal damage (damage score, extension of lesion, colon weight/length ratio), incidence of diarrhea and adherence to adjacent organs, colon glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) activities. In addition, in vitro studies on lipid peroxidation in rat brain membranes and phytochemical profile were performed with both stem bark and fruit pulp. Results: Treatment with 100, 200 and 400mg/kg of stem bark extract and 10% fruit pulp flour showed protective effects in the TNBS-induced colon damage, which was related to inhibition of MPO and AP activities, reduction in colon MDA content, and counteraction of GSH depletion induced by inflammatory process. A concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on the lipid peroxidation in rat brain membranes for stem bark and fruit pulp was determined, with an IC50 value of 5.25±0.23μg/mL and 27.33±0.09μg/mL, respectively. Similar phytochemical composition was observed in fruit and stem bark, including mainly flavonoids, condensed tannins and terpenes. Conclusions: Stem bark extract and fruit pulp flour of Hymenaea stigonocarpa prevented TNBS-induced colonic damage in rats and this protective effect were associated to an improvement of intestinal oxidative stress. The observed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may be associated to the presence of flavonoids and tannins in the stem bark and fruit pulp of Hymenaea stigonocarpa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hymenaea stigonocarpa, is an endemic tree from the Brazilian cerrado (savannah) and popularly known as jatobá-do-cerrado. The wood of this species is resistant to biodegradation and is used in naval and civil construction. Cuttings from heartwood of this species showed resistance to fungi and termites. In this paper, we report the antitermitic and antioxidant activities of H. stigonocarpa heartwood ethyl acetate extract and its main flavonoids constituents, hultenin (1), taxifolin (2), quercetin (3) and 7-methoxycathequin (4). The structure elucidation of the isolated flavonoids was performed by spectroscopic methods. The ethyl acetate extract possesses highest antitermitic and antioxidant activity when compared with isolated flavonoids. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction. The fruits of the Brazilian Savannah have potential to improve the human diet, income generation and, consequently, the quality of life for socially vulnerable families. Among the native fruits of the Savannah, one that stands out is the ‘jatobá do cerrado’ (Hymenaea stigonocarpa). Therefore, the physical characteristics, chemical composition (titratable acidity, soluble solids, pH, moisture, ash, proteins, lipids and total dietary fiber), occurrence and content of vitamin C (ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids), carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and lycopene), vitamin E (α, β, γ and δ-tocopherols and tocotrienols) and folates (tetrahydrofolate, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate) were evaluated in pulp of ‘jatobá do cerrado’ from the Brazilian Savannah. Materials and methods. The length, diameter, mass and fruit yield were evaluated. The titratable acidity was determined by volumetric neutralization; pH by potentiometry; soluble solids by refractometry; moisture using an oven; ash using a muffle furnace; proteins by the micro-Kjeldhal method; total dietary fiber by the gravimetric non-enzymatic method; and lipids with a Soxhlet extractor. Vitamin C and carotenoids were analyzed by HPLC-DAD, and vitamin E and folates by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Results and discussion. The jatobá do cerrado’ presented low pulp yield (17.1%) and moisture (8.8 g×100 g–1), and high contents of total dietary fiber (44.3 g×100 g–1), protein (5.6 mg×100 g–1) and energy (193.0 kcal×100 g–1). The fruit presented reduced contents of carotenoids and vitamin C [(0.4 and 8.9) mg×100 g–1, respectively]. The contents of vitamin E and folates [(53.5 and 495.5) μg×100 g–1, respectively] were higher than in other widely consumed fruits. Conclusion. The ‘jatobá do cerrado’ is a source of vitamin C, good source of folates, and excellent source of dietary fiber. Due to its nutritional value, ‘jatobá do cerrado’ is an important dietary alternative; thus, its consumption should be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne (Fabaceae) is a medicinal species commonly found in the Brazilian savannah. The stem bark of this medicinal plant, popularly known as “jatobá-do-cerrado”, is widely used in tea form to treat gastric pain, ulcers, diarrhoea and inflammation, whereas its fruits pulp is edible. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to investigate the antidiarrheal and anti-ulcer effects of a methanolic extract derived from the stem bark (MHs) and diet with fruit pulp of H. stigonocarpa. Materials and methods: The antidiarrheal action of MHs was measured against the intestinal motility and diarrhoea induced by castor oil in mice. The preventive action of MHs (50, 100, 150 and 200mg/Kg, by oral route (p.o.)) against peptic ulcers was evaluated in experimental rodent models challenged with absolute ethanol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) (200mg/Kg, p.o.) and cysteamine (200mg/Kg, p.o.). The main anti-ulcer mechanisms of action of MHs were analysed as follows: evaluation of the gastric juice parameters, assessment of mucus adherence to the gastric wall, determination of the role of nitric oxide (NO) and sulfhydryl compounds (SH), glutathione (GSH) levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. The healing effects from MHs (200mg/Kg) and diet with fruit pulp (10%) against gastric and duodenal ulcers induced by acetic acid were also evaluated by treating rats over 7 or 14 consecutive days of treatment. Results: The phytochemical profile of MHs and fruit pulp indicated the presence of phenolic compounds (mainly flavonoids and condensed tannins). MHs (200mg/Kg, p.o.) displayed an antidiarrheal effect and were able to protect gastric mucosa against absolute ethanol (68% protection) and also against the injurious effect of NSAIDs (86% protection) when compared to the group treated with vehicle. These results were accompanied by the prevention of GSH depletion and an inhibition of MPO activity when compared to animals treated with vehicle (P<0.05). MHs markedly protected duodenal mucosa against injuries caused by cysteamine (98%) and also against I/R induced gastric ulceration (80%) when compared to the group treated with vehicle. Furthermore, MHs also prevented the GSH depletion of gastric mucosa relative to the control group treated with vehicle. NO appeared to be involved in this gastroprotective effect. MHs and diet with fruit pulp clearly demonstrated gastric healing actions after treatment for 7 (MHs – 53% inhibition) or 14 days (MHs – 60% inhibition and fruit pulp – 61% inhibition). Treatment with diet with fruit pulp for 7 days demonstrates a significant duodenal healing effect (71% inhibition) without any signs of toxicity. Conclusions: MHs clearly demonstrate antidiarrheal, gastroprotective and cicatrising effects in experimental gastric and duodenal ulcers, and the diet with fruit pulp displays duodenal healing effects. The observed effects may be associated with the antioxidant effect, which may be due the presence of condensed tannins and flavonoids in the bark and fruit of H. stigonocarpa. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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Abstract: This research evaluated the natural resistance of five woods to the white-rot wood-destroying fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium under laboratory conditions and in nature. The studied species were Hymenaea stigonocarpa, Anadenanthera colubrina, Caesalpinia ferrea, Manilkara huberi and Delonix regia. The natural resistance to decay is one of the most important properties of wood, mainly assigned to lignin and extractives of wood. A. colubrina has the highest content of extractives and M. huberi the highest content of lignin; both are known as resistant to xylophagous organisms and were also most resistant to the tested fungus. C. ferrea has the lowest content of extractives and D. regia of lignin; both species did not inhibit the fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium. H. stigonocarpa occupies an intermediate position in content of extractives and lignin as well in resistance to P. chrysosporium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Antitermitic activity of extractives from three Brazilian hardwoods timber known for their high resistance to biodegradation, Bowdichia virgilioides, Anadenanthera colubrina, and Hymenaea stigonocarpa, were evaluated in laboratory tests against termites Nasutitermes corniger. The data obtained in this study suggest that all extracts tested contained antitermitic compounds against this termite species. Alkaloidal extract from B. virgilioides heartwood exhibited the highest antitermitic activity (LC50 = 7.2 mg ml−1 after 4 days) followed by cyclohexane extracts from the same species (LC50 = 12.2 mg ml−1 after 4 days) and H. stigonocarpa heartwood (LC50 = 11.9 mg ml−1 after 4 days) and ethyl acetate extract from Anadenanthera colubrina wood (LC50 = 17.3 mg ml−1 after 4 days). Exposure of N. corniger to the other extracts from A. colubrina wood and H. stigonocarpa heartwood resulted in a higher termite survival rate than for the above mentioned extracts, but still reduced the survival of termites compared to a corresponding control. Only B. virgilioides cyclohexane extract presented repellent properties. The termite resistance of these hardwoods can be attributed to antitermitic activity of secondary metabolites present in the extracts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The phylogeography of Hymenaea coarbaril var. stiIhocarpa from Atlantic Forest and riverine forests of the Cerrado biome in central and southeastern Brazil was investigated. The data were compared with those of its congeneric Hymenaea stionocarpa, a typical tree from savanna. In the Cerrado, H. courbaril var. stillbocarpa is found in sites contiguous with those of H stigonocarpa, and they share common life-history attributes. The psbC/tmS3 region of the chloroplast DNA was sequenced in 149 individuals of H. courbaril stilbocarpa. High genetic variation was found in this species, with the identification of 18 haplotypes, similarly to what was found in H stigonocarpa with 23 haplotypes in the same geographic region. Populations of H courbaril var. stiIbocarpa could be structured in 3 phylogeographic groups. Spatial analysis of molecular variation indicated that 46.4% of the genetic variation was due to differences among these groups. Three haplotypes were shared by H. courbaril vat. stilbocatpa and H stillgonocarpa, and only 10.5% of the total genetic variation could be attributed to between-species difference. We surmise that during the glacial times, H. courbaril var. stilbocarpa populations must have gone extinct in most parts of the southern of its present-day occurrence area. After climate amelioration, these areas were probably recolonized from northern and eastern. The relatively similar phylogeographic structure of vicariant Hlymenaea species suggests that they were subjected to the same impacts during the Quaternary climatic fluctuations. The sharing of haplotypes and the genetic similarity between the 2 Hymenaea species suggest the existence of ancestral polymorphism and/or hybridization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]