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Anthurium magnificum Linden es una importante planta ornamental perteneciente a la familia Araceae. Esta especie es muy demandada como planta de maceta para la decoración de interiores y jardines, así como follaje de corte. Los métodos de propagación tradicionales en esta especie presentan ciertas desventajas por lo que no permiten satisfacer la creciente demanda. Estas limitantes convierten al cultivo de tejidos vegetales en el método más eficiente para propagar plantas de Anthurium magnificum a un ritmo más rápido que los métodos de propagación convencionales. En el cultivo de tejidos vegetales el nitrato de plata adicionado a los medios de cultivo actúa como un inhibidor de la acción del etileno y desempeña un papel crucial en la regulación de procesos fisiológicos esenciales de las plantas. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo determinar el efecto de diferentes concentraciones de nitrato de plata en el crecimiento in vitro de brotes de Anthurium magnificum. Para ello, se cultivaron brotes in vitro de Anthurium magnificum en medios de cultivo enriquecidos con diferentes concentraciones de nitrato de plata. Los resultados mostraron que los mayores valores en las variables altura de la planta, número de raíces y longitud de las raíces se obtuvieron en un medio de cultivo con 1,0 mg L-1 de nitrato de plata. En la variable área foliar de la planta los mayores valores se presentaron en los medios de cultivo que contenían nitrato de plata independientemente de la concentración empleada.

Anthurium magnificum Linden is an important ornamental plant belonging to the Araceae family. This species is in great demand as a pot plant for interior and garden decoration, as well as cut foliage. The traditional propagation methods in this species have certain disadvantages, which is why they cannot satisfy the growing demand. These limitations make plant tissue culture the most efficient method to propagate Anthurium magnificum plants at a faster rate than conventional propagation methods. In the culture of plant tissues, silver nitrate added to the culture media acts as an inhibitor of the action of ethylene and plays a crucial role in the regulation of essential physiological processes in plants. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of different concentrations of silver nitrate on the in vitro growth of Anthurium magnificum shoots. For this, in vitro shoots of Anthurium magnificum were cultivated in culture media enriched with different concentrations of silver nitrate. The results showed that the highest values in the variables plant height, number of roots and length of the roots were obtained in a culture medium with 1.0 mg L-1 of silver nitrate. In the variable leaf area of the plant, the highest values were presented in the culture media that contained silver nitrate, regardless of the concentration used.

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Bothrops atrox snakebites are a relevant problem in the Amazon basin. In this biodiverse region, the ethnomedicinal approach plays an important role as an alternative to antivenom therapy. Urospatha sagittifolia (Araceae) is a plant used for this purpose; however, its neutralizing properties have not been scientifically accessed. To fill this gap, we investigated the ability of U. sagittifolia to modulate the catalytic activity of Bothrops atrox venom, and their toxic consequences, such as local damage and lethality. The venom profile of B. atrox was assessed by chromatography and electrophoresis. Inhibition of the three main enzymatic and medically important toxins from the venom was evaluated using synthetic substrates and quantified by chromogenic activity assays. Additionally, the neutralization of lethality, hemorrhage and edema were investigated by in vivo assays. The possible interactions between venom proteins and plant molecules were visualized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Finally, the phytochemical constituents present in the ethanolic extract were determined by qualitative and quantitative analyses. The ethanolic extract reduced the activity of the three main enzymes of venom target, achieving ranges from 19% to 81% of inhibition. Our in vivo venom neuralizations assays showed a significant inhibition of edema (38.72%) and hemorrhage (42.90%). Additionally, lethality was remarkably counteracted. The highest extract ratio evaluated had a 75% survival rate. Our data support the biomedical value of U. sagittifolia as a source of natural enzyme inhibitors able to neutralize catalytically active B. atrox venom toxins and their toxic effects.

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PREMISE: Floral rewards are essential in understanding floral function and evolution of the relationships between flowers and pollinators. Whether sugars are present in stigmatic exudates in Anthurium and whether it has floral nectaries have remained controversial because of the scarcity of structural studies. To solve these questions, we investigated the floral anatomy of A. andraeanum to elucidate whether (1) tepals are secretory organs, (2) tepals possess a structurally recognizable nectary, and (3) tepalar secretion differs from stigmatic secretion. METHODS: Floral structure was assessed through light and electron microscopy of samples of immature, pistillate, and staminate flowers. The dynamics of the starch reserve was investigated using histochemical tests, and the sugar content in the floral exudates was assessed using thin-layer chromatography. RESULTS: Sugar analysis did not detect sucrose, glucose, or fructose in stigmatic secretions, but confirmed their presence in tepalar secretions. Stigmatic secretion was produced by secretory stigmatic papillae; tepalar exudates were produced by nonvascularized nectaries in the apex of tepals. These nectaries were characterized by modified stomata and cells with cytoplasm rich in organelles, and a high content of calcium oxalate crystals. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed for the first time nectaries on tepals and true nectar secretion for A. andraeanum. Stigmatic secretion appears to be a distinct substance, and its often-reported sugar content seems to be a result of sample contamination. Nectar and stigmatic secretions have been often mistaken in other Anthurium species and deserve a revision for this genus.

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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aroid vine Rhodospatha oblongata is characterized by a habitat change from terrestrial to canopy, relying on aerial roots at maturity to obtain water and nutrients from the forest soil. We hypothesize that morphophysiological acclimation occurs in roots as they grow under atmospheric conditions. These changes would guarantee the whole-plant survival of aroid vines in the new and potentially stressful habitat of the canopy. METHODS: Terrestrial and aerial roots were compared on a morphophysiological basis. Root anatomy, water balance, water absorption capacity via fluorescent tracer, and photochemical activity via chlorophyll fluorescence were measured. KEY RESULTS: While thin fasciculate roots occur on terrestrial crawling individuals, two clearly distinct aerial roots (anchor and feeder) are produced on canopy individuals, which both adhere to the host trunk. The colour of both aerial roots changes during development from red and brownish to striped and green at maturity. Colour changes are induced by the replacement of epidermis, exodermis and outer cortex by an inner layer of lignified cork on the root region exposed to the atmosphere. In the root region that is in contact with the host, covering substitutions do not occur and both exodermis and lignified cork, along with several epidermal hairs, appear. Water retention capacity was higher in green roots than in other root types. Rehydration capacity via water absorption by hairs of aerial roots was confirmed by fluorescence. Chlorophyll fluorescence data indicated low levels of photosynthetic capacity in aerial roots. CONCLUSIONS: Plants should evolve strategies to survive stress situations. The transition from soil to canopy imposes abiotic changes and potentially stressful situations on R. oblongata. We conclude that the morphophysiological changes observed represent an important strategy that permits the maintenance of aroid roots and the survival of R. oblongata in the canopy.

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Meloidogyne is a relevant plant-parasitic nematode that causes enormous damage. It is very challenging to control, and there are not many chemicals available on the market for that. As an alternative method of nematode control, biofumigation is increasingly gaining space. This research aimed to study the reaction of Xanthosoma sagittifolium to Meloidogyne enterolobii, M. incognita, and M. javanica and soil biofumigation with X. sagittifolium leaves for M. enterolobii control. The reaction test was performed in the populations 0 (control), 333, 999, 3,000, 9,000, 27,000 eggs and eventual juveniles. X. sagittifolium did not host the Meloidogyne species studied, even in a high population. X. sagittifolium leaves incorporated in soil at concentrations 0 (control), 0.45, 0.9, 1.8, 3.6 g were also studied to control M. enterolobii, and they were able to reduce galls and eggs. The number of galls and egg masses was reduced to a concentration of 1.8 g. In the maximum concentration, the number of galls was less than 15 galls, and the eggs were also reduced to less than 200 eggs. As these macerates emitted nematicidal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) against M. enterolobii, it reduced the infectivity and reproduction of nematodes.

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Two new species of Chlorospatha (section Orientales) from the western slope of the Cordillera Occidental in the departments of Valle del Cauca and Choco (Colombia) are described here. The new species represent the first records of section Orientales for Colombia, which was previously known only from the eastern Andes in Ecuador. The two new species are similar to C. longipoda, C. hannoniae and C. boosii. Chlorospatha minima sp. nov. is differentiated by its small overall size (less than 30 cm tall), blade strongly inequilateral with smooth adaxial surface, and spadix less than 2.2 cm long. Chlorospatha silverstonei sp. nov. is differentiated by its large overall size (30-60 cm tall), 1-3 leaves per plant, and quilted adaxial blade surface.

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A new species of the genus Beebeomyia Curran found in the northern coastal region of the state of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil is described and illustrated, including characteristics of the male and female terminalia, third instar larva and puparium. This new species is only the second record for the genus in Brazil and broadens its occurrence to the Atlantic Forest ecoregion. Beebeomyia taccarivora sp. nov. is straightforwardly distinguishable from all other known species of Beebeomyia for exhibiting an entirely yellowish orange thorax with a central brown-colored stripe on the scutum, and a brownish orange abdomen with a central brown stripe on tergites 1-4. Similarly to what had been previously described for congenerics, female B. taccarivora flies exclusively use the inflorescences of their host plant, Taccarum ulei, as oviposition and brooding sites. Developing larvae feed on living floral tissue and pollen, and pupariation occurs within the inner surface of the spathe.

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Trata-se de um estudo investigativo sobre os aspectos botânicos e clínicos das intoxicações humanas provocadas por espécies das famílias Araceae, Euphorbiaceae e Solanaceae. É um estudo transversal, descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética do Hospital da Restauração. Os dados referentes ao período de 1992 a 2009 foram coletados no Centro de Assistência Toxicológica de Pernambuco (CEATOX). Dos 214 prontuários analisados, 140 tiveram diagnóstico de intoxicação por espécies das famílias Araceae (55%; n=77); Euphorbiaceae (36,43%; n=51) e Solanaceae (8,57%; n=12). A maioria das Araceae foi representada por Dieffenbachia amoena Bull (50%); Euphorbiaceae por Manihot esculenta Crantz (11,42%) e Solanaceae por Brugmansia suaveolens (Willd.) Bercht. & J. Presl. (5,71%), utilizadas como ornamental, alimentícia, medicinal, em brincadeiras infantis e suicídio. Em consequência da ingestão de partes dessas plantas os sintomas apresentados foram: edema (língua, lábio), náusea, diarreia, rubor facial, midríase, alucinações e dores abdominais. O tratamento constou de observação clínica (45,31%) e tratamento sintomático (40,18%). A gravidade das intoxicações foi classificada como aguda moderada em 79,69% dos pacientes.(AU)

This is an investigative study about the clinical and botanical aspects of human poisoning caused by plants of the species Araceae, Euphorbiaceae and Solanaceae. It is a cross-sectional descriptive study with a quantitative approach, approved by the Restoration Hospital Ethics Committee. Data was collected at the Toxicological Assistance Centre of Pernambuco (CEATOX) comprising the period of 1992 to 2009. 214 records were analyzed, 140 had an intoxication diagnostic from the families: Araceae (55%, n = 77); Euphorbiaceae (36,43%; n = 51) and solanaceae (8,57%; n = 12). Aracea was majorly represented by Dieffenbachia Amoena Bull (50%); Euphorbiaceae by Manihot esculenta Crantz (11,42%) and Solanaceae by Brugmansia suaveolens (Willd.) Bercht. & J. Presl. (5, 71%) that were used as ornamental plants, food, medicine, in children's play and suicide attempts. As a result of ingestion of parts of the plant the symptoms were edema (tongue, lips), nausea, diarrhea, facial flushing, mydriasis, hallucinations and abdominal pain. Treatment consisted of clinical observation (45,31%) and symptomatic treatment (40,18%). The severity of the intoxications was classified as 'moderate acute' in 79,69% of patients.(AU)

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Na prática homeopática, não são raras as vezes em que ao procurar solucionar as angústias dos pacientes, encontramos remédios pequenos , ou, pouco conhecidos , e os deixamos de lado escolhendo outro que nos é mais familiar, muitas vezes retardando a solução que buscávamos.A família Araceae, pouco conhecida, pelo levantamento de diversas Matérias Medicas, pode ampliar os recursos que precisamos ter, para cura dos pacientes que nos procuram. (AU)

In homeopathic practice, it is not uncommon to find small or little-known remedies when trying to solve patient’s’ anxieties, and we leave them aside by choosing another that is more familiar to us, often delaying the solution we were looking for.The Araceae family, little known by the survey of various medical materials, can expand the resources that we need to have, to cure the patients who are looking for us. (AU)

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RESUMO O uso de plantas medicinais no tratamento de doenças é uma estratégia antiga utilizada por praticamente todas as populações do mundo, e, embora novos antibióticos tenham sido desenvolvidos para o controle de micro-organismos infecciosos, às vezes são ineficazes. Diversos extratos de plantas medicinais têm efeitos antimicrobianos, principalmente quando associados à antibióticos de uso clínico, representando alternativa terapêutica para doenças infecciosas. Montrichardia linifera, conhecida popularmente como aninga, é espécie macrófita, aquática emergente de hábito herbáceo, pertencente a família Araceae e ocorre em áreas alagáveis. A utilidade farmacológica desta espécie é diversificada tendo sido relatada como cicatrizante, antirreumático, antidiurético e expectorante. Devido à relevância no campo etnofarmacológico, ampla utilização na medicina popular e escassez de trabalhos relacionados à atividade antibacteriana desta espécie, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a atividade antibacteriana de extratos alcoólicos de folhas de Montrichardia linifera, coletadas na margem do rio Igaraçu, Parnaíba-PI. O extrato foi testado em oito cepas de bactérias: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae e Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Foram utilizadas as técnicas de verificação da formação de halos de inibição e determinação das concentrações inibitórias e bactericidas mínimas. Os testes antibacterianos evidenciaram como principais resultados que o extrato metanólico seco (EMS), extrato metanólico fresco (EMF), e o extrato etanólico seco (EES), apresentaram ação antibacteriana, enquanto o extrato etanólico fresco (EEF) não apresentou atividade para as bactérias testadas. O EMS foi o mais eficiente, inibindo o crescimento bacteriano na concentração de 200 μg/mL para E. faecalis, 400 μg/mL para S. aureus, 400 μg/mL para S. epidermidis e 2.000 μg/mL para P. aeruginosa. O EMF obteve CIM de 2.000 μg/mL para E. faecalis e EES obteve CIM de 250 μg/mL para E. faecalis. Os resultados demonstraram que M. linifera constitui fonte eficiente de compostos bioativos antibacterianos. Os estudos sobre as propriedades farmacológicas de plantas da família Araceae são escassos, e os resultados deste trabalho são pioneiros em relação a atividade antibacteriana desta espécie.

ABSTRACT For a long time, medicinal herbs have been used in the treatment of diseases by almost all populations in the world, and although new antibiotics have been developed for the control of infectious micro-organisms, they are sometimes ineffective. Many herbal extracts have antimicrobial effects and represent a potential alternative therapy for infectious diseases, especially when associated with the clinical use of antibiotics. The Montrichardia linifera, popularly known as Aninga, is a robust, herbaceous, emergent aquatic macrophyte belonging to the Araceae family, appearing along rivers and stream margins in the tropical America. The pharmacological application of this species are several ones, having been reported to own a healing, antirheumatic, anti-diuretic and expectorant effect. Due to the relevance in the ethnopharmacological field, the spread use in popular medicine and the few researches related to the antibacterial activity of this specie, the study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of alcoholic leaf extracts of plants of Montrichardia linifera collected along the margins of Rio Igaraçu, Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil. The extract was tested in eight strains of ATCC bacterial standards: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The verification techniques used were the formation of inhibition halos, and the determination of minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC). The antibacterial tests showed, as main results, that dried methanol extract (EMS), fresh methanol extract (EMF) and dry ethanol extract (EES) exhibited antibacterial activity, while the fresh ethanol extract (EEF) was inactive against the tested bacteria. The EMS was the most efficient one, inhibiting bacterial growth at a concentration of 200 µg/mL for E. faecalis, 400 µg/mL for S. aureus 400 µg/mL for S. epidermidis and 2.000 µg/mL for P. aeruginosa. The EMF obtained a MIC of 2.000 µg/mL for E. faecalis and EES obtained a MIC of 250 µg/mL for E. faecalis. The results showed that M. linifera is an efficient source of bioactive antibacterial compounds. Studies about the pharmacological properties of plants of the family Araceae are scarce, and the results of this work are pioneer in regard to the antibacterial activity of this species.

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