Gastrointestinal nematodes are a significant concern for animal health and well-being, and anthelmintic treatment is mainly performed through the use of chemical products. However, bioactive compounds produced by plants have shown promise for development as novel anthelmintics. The aim of this study is to assess the anthelmintic activity of protein fractions from Spigelia anthelmia on the gastrointestinal nematode Haemonchus contortus. Plant parts were separated into leaves, stems and roots, washed with distilled water, freeze-dried and ground into a fine powder. Protein extraction was performed with sodium phosphate buffer (75 mM, pH 7.0). The extract was fractionated using ammonium sulfate (0–90%) and extensively dialyzed. The resulting fractions were named LPF (leaf protein fraction), SPF (stem protein fraction) and RPF (root protein fraction), and the protein contents and activities of the fractions were analyzed. H. contortus egg hatching (EHA), larval exsheathment inhibition (LEIA) and larval migration inhibition (LMIA) assays were performed. Proteomic analysis was conducted, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) chromatographic profiles of the fractions were established to identify proteins and possible secondary metabolites. S. anthelmia fractions inhibited H. contortus egg hatching, with LPF having the most potent effects (EC50 0.17 mg mL-1). During LEIA, SPF presented greater efficiency than the other fractions (EC50 0.25 mg mL-1). According to LMIA, the fractions from roots, stems and leaves also reduced the number of larvae, with EC50 values of 0.11, 0.14 and 0.21 mg mL-1, respectively. Protein analysis indicated the presence of plant defense proteins in the S. anthelmia fractions, including protease, protease inhibitor, chitinase and others. Conversely, secondary metabolites were absent in the S. anthemia fractions. These results suggest that S. anthelmia proteins are promising for the control of the gastrointestinal nematode H. contortus.

Although Maranhão State has the second longest coastline of Brazil, phytosociological studies are necessary to expand the knowledge of the restinga vegetation therein. Thus, the present study characterizes structural parameters of the woody component of a restinga in Alcântara city, west coast of Maranhão State. The phytosociological sampling included thirteen 100 m parallel transects, totaling 50 points. The inclusion criterion established for the species was perimeter at ground level ≥ 10 cm. We sampled 34 species, 26 genera, and 17 families, totaling 200 individuals. The species with the highest importance value (IV) were Guettarda angelica Mart. ex Müll.Arg., Anacardium occidentale L., Myrcia splendens (Sw.) DC., Cenostigma bracteosum (Tul.) E. Gagnon & G.P. Lewis, Fridericia sp., Eugenia stictopetala Mart. ex DC., and Mouriri guianensis Aubl. The average height of the specimens was 4.44 m, and the average diameter was 12.6 cm. The Shannon diversity index found in the restinga was 2.92 nat. ind-1, and Pielou’s evenness was 0.83. It is worth mentioning the presence of Sapium glandulosum (L.) Morong and Manilkara bidentata (A.DC.) A.Chev, which are common species of the Cerrado and the Amazonian forest, respectively. Our findings contribute to the knowledge of diversity, generating data for the development of conservation studies, besides reinforcing the influence of the flora of neighboring ecosystems in the colonization of the restingas of Maranhão State.

Este trabalho traz uma revisão de estudos florísticos, relatórios técnicos e relatos de antigos viajantes que cruzaram áreas dos Estados do Piauí e do Maranhão, além de estudos ecológicos e ensaios experimentais envolvendo as palmeiras para compreender o processo de ocupação da região por babaçuais, carnaubais e buritizais, além de outras palmeiras. O objetivo do artigo é entender se a composição fisionômica atual da área foi reflexo da atividade antrópica intensa na região.

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