Abstract
Anemopaegma arvense (Vell.) Stellfeld, Bignoniaceae, is a native species of the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) and is commonly known as catuaba among the local farmers. Seeds of three varieties were collected in different localities and submitted to germination and storage studies in attempting to domesticate this species as a medicinal crop for small farmers located in Brazilian Cerrado. Germination tests revealed that catuaba seeds presented a dormancy period of 6 weeks, and 63% of the seedlings have emerged after 12 weeks of the planting time. Storing catuaba seeds at low temperatures (−20 and −196°C) has not affected emergence and survival. These findings suggested that A. arvense seeds have an orthodox behavior resisting well to dehydration and low temperature storage. Three catuaba varieties were characterized morphologically and chemically. The presence of triterpenes such as oleanolic acid and betulinic acid were identified and quantified in these varieties. Previous report has shown that these compounds have promising anticancer activities and herein the results point that the aerial parts yielded more triterpenes than the roots. The combination of higher capacity and preferential accumulation of triterpenes in the aerial parts of catuaba makes this plant a potential candidate for agricultural production or in situ sustainable harvests as a promising alternative to the destructive collection of the natural population.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bolta Z, Baricevic D, Bohanec B, Andrensek S (2000) A preliminary investigation of ursolic acid in cell suspension culture of Salvia officinalis. Plant Cell Tiss Org Cult 62:57–63
Botezelli L, Davide AC, Malavasi MM (2000) Características dos frutos e sementes de quatro procedência de Dipteryx alata Vogel (Baru). Cerne 6(1):9–18
Ferreira MB (1973) Bignoneaceae do Distrito Federal – O genero Anemopaegma Mart. Oreades 6:28–39
Fulda S, Debatin KM (2000) Betulinic acid induces apoptosis through a direct effect on mitochondria in neuroectodermal tumors. Med Pediat Oncol 35:616–618
Gemaque RCR, Davide AC, Faria JMR (2002) Indicadores de maturidade fisiológica de sementes de ipê-roxo (Tabebuia impetiginosa (Mart.) Standl.). Cerne 8(2):87–94
Hamet R (1937) Su quelques effets physiologiques de la drogue brésilienne connue sous le nom de “folhas de catuaba”. Com Rendus Soc Biol 124:904–907
Kermode AR (1990) Regulatory mechanisms involved in the transition from seed development to germination. Critic Rev Plant Sci 9:155–195
Kokou Y, Akio M, Shoji N, Koho KT (2000) Skin external use agent. JP-patent Number 2000143482. May 23
Koltunow AM, Hidata T, Robinson SP (1996) Polyembryony in citrus. Accumulation of seed storage proteins in seeds and in embryos cultured in vitro. Plant Phys 110(2):599–609
Laurence GHM (1963) Taxonomy of vascular plants. The McCmillan Co, New York, NY
Lee I, Lee YH, Leonard J (2002) Ursolic acid induced changes in tumor growth O2 consumption and tumor interstitial fluid pressure. Anticancer Res 21:2827–2834
Mahato S, Kundu AP (1994) 13C NMR spectra of pentacyclic triterpenoids – a compilation and some salient features. Phytochem 37(6):1517–1575
Mello CMC, Eira MTS (1995) Conservação de sementes de jacaranda mimosos (Jacaranda acutifolia Humb. & Bonpl.-Bignoniaceae). Rev Bras Sem 17(2):193–196
Mio K, Inoue A, Yokoyama D, Atsushi N, Ishimaru H, Midorikawa T (2003) Oral hair growth stimulants containing odd-numbered fatty acids, or alcohols, plant or algae extracts, and/or tocotrienol and foods containing them. JP-patent 2003160486. June 3
Myers N, Mittermeier RA, Mittermeier CG, Fonseca GAB, Kent J (2000) Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nat 403:853–858
Pereira AMS, Amui SF, Bertoni BW, Moraes RM, França SC (2003) Micropropagation of Anemopaegma arvense: conservation of an endangered medicinal plant. Planta Med 69:571–573
Shimizu H (2001) Antioxidant containing plant extracts for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. JP-patent 20011139417. May 22
Shnell RJ (1994) Eliminating zygotic seedlings in Turpentine mango rootstock population by visual rouging. HortSci 29(4):319–320
Tokuda H, Ohigashi H, Kopshimizu K, Ito K (1986) Inhibitory effects of ursolic and oleanolic acid on skin tumor promotion by 12-O-tetradecabiykogirbik-13-acetate. Cancer Let 33:279–285
Uchino T, Kawahara N, Sekita S, Satake M, Saito Y, Tokunaga H, Ando M (2004) Potent protecting effects of Catuaba (Anemopaegma mirandum) extracts against hydroperoxide-induced cytotoxicity. Toxicol In Vitro 18:255–263
Urech K, Scher JM, Hostanska K, Becker H (2005) Apoptosis inducing activity of viscin a lipophyllic extract from Viscum album L. J Pharm Pharmacol 57:101–109
Yamashita M, Fujita S (2002) Cosmetics containing sunscreen agents and plant extracts. PR–patent 2002308750. Oct. 23
Zschocke S, Rabe T, Taylor JLS, Jäger Ak, van Staden J (2000) Plant part substitution – a way to conserve endangered medicinal plants? J Ethnopharm 71:281–291
Zuco V, Supino R, Righetti SC, Cleris L, Marchesi E, Gambacorti-Passerini C, Formelli F (2002) Selective cytotoxicity of betulinic acid on tumor cell lines but not on normal cells. Cancer Let 175:17–25
Acknowledgement
Research funded by FAPESP, The State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation, Brazil. Project Number (Projeto tematico—Biota 99/10610).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pereira, A.M.S., Salomão, A.N., Januario, A.H. et al. Seed germination and triterpenoid content of Anemopaegma arvense (Vell.) Stellfeld varieties. Genet Resour Crop Evol 54, 849–854 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-006-9161-x
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-006-9161-x