Trends and gaps in the global scientific literature about Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae), a tropical plant of economic importanceTendências e lacunas na literatura científica global sobre Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae), uma planta tropical de importância econômica Abstract Jatropha curcas L., popularly known as the physic nut, is a monoecious, perennial lactiferous species belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. Recently, interest in this species has been growing, due to its ability to flourish on degraded land and in soils with low natural fertility, the high oil content of its seeds, its rapid growth and easy propagation, and the identification of several secondary metabolites with medicinal importance. This study aims to report the main trends and gaps in the global scientific literature about J. curcas L, using a scientometric analysis. We have carried out this scientometric analysis on the global literature to identify: 1) temporal publication trends; 2) the quality of scientific production, estimated using citation numbers and journal impact factors; 3) the main journals and countries interested in this topic and the language of scientific divulgation; 4) the main research fields; 5) the use of wild or commercial cultivars; and 6) average authorship levels and international collaboration networks.Our findings have revealed a continuous increase in both quantitative and qualitative parameters in studies about J. curcas. The main trends in physic nut studies involve biofuel production and the plant's agronomic characteristics. The main knowledge gaps relating to J. curcas are in the fields of forestry, sustainability, animal nutrition, and genetic improvement. Another problem identified in this study is a lack of commercial seeds; none of the studies analyzed have used commercial seeds. India, Brazil, and China together are responsible for 55% of the knowledge about this species, obtained through scientific production. Only moderate international collaboration has been observed between countries, perhaps as consequence of conflicts of interest. Despite an increasing number of articles, some countries have stopped producing J. curcas L, and the worldwide crop production has decreased.

Este estudo objetivou relatar de forma crítica e reflexiva a atividade de recepção dos ingressantes do curso de Licenciatura em Ciências Biológicas e avaliar seus conhecimentos, expectativas e opiniões. A recepção foi realizada no primeiro semestre letivo de 2012, por alunos do Programa de Educação Tutorial (PET), envolvendo alunos do curso de Licenciatura em Ciências Biológicas do IF Goiano – Câmpus Urutaí e ofereceu atividades diversas de caráter informativo, integrativo e de estímulo à permanência no curso. Após a atividade de recepção foi aplicado um questionário para um feedback e planejamento de ações futuras. A atividade foi avaliada por 46% dos calouros como “excelente” e 46%, como “boa”. Para 71% dos ingressantes, a atividade contribuiu para a interação com outros discentes, 76,9% disseram que foi uma motivação para ingressar no PET. De modo geral, conclui-se que a recepção foi importante para a adaptação dos ingressantes à vida acadêmica e para minimizar as possíveis dificuldades encontradas pelos calouros.

ABSTRACT:The latex obtained from Jatropha curcas (physic nut) is used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of disturbs, including burns, hemorrhoids, ringworm and ulcers. Phytochemical analyses have shown that J. curcas latex contains natural compounds with therapeutic potential. In this study, the toxicity, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity effects of J. curcas latex on the root cells of Allium cepa were examined. Onion seeds and bulbs were exposed to seven different concentrations of latex and then the roots were submitted to macro and microscopic analyses. Water and sodium azide were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. The analysis of root growth showed that J. curcas crude latex or 50% diluted is highly toxic. Cytogenetic results showed that the mitotic index of the onion roots submitted to latex treatment decreased significantly compared to the negative control, which suggests that the latex is cytotoxic. High incidence of chromosome aberrations in the cells treated with J. curcas latex was observed too, indicating that the latex also presents genotoxic effect. The analyses presented in this report suggest the toxic, cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of J. curcas latex. Then, the indiscriminate use of J. curcas latex in folk medicine could bring risk to human health.

Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae) is a multiple purpose lacticiferous plant with potential for biodiesel production and medicinal uses. There is in the literature different analyses about the toxic and cytogenotoxic effects of J. curcas extracts, but few information about latex toxicity. In addition, few models were employed to evaluate the toxicity response to J. curcas latex, and the toxicity in in vivo mammal’s model has not been tested yet. The cytotoxic, mutagenic and antimutagenic potential of J. curcas latex were investigated using mouse bone marrow erythrocytes. The results indicated a cytotoxic and mutagenic potential of this latex to mammalian cells. But, when J. curcas latex was co-administrated with doxorubicin (DXR – chemotherapy medication), a reduction in the number of micronuclei was observed, indicating an interaction between J. curcas latex and DXR. The interaction of latex with DXR can cause a reduction in the activity of this drug and impair the treatment of its users. Moreover, there is a lack of data on herb–drug interactions, what should be more investigated to safeguard the wellbeing of patients.

AIMS: To perform a physicochemical and phytochemical characterization of Jatropha curcas latex and to investigate its antiangiogenic potential. METHODS: We performed an initial physicochemical characterization of J. curcas latex using thermal gravimetric analyses and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. After that, phenols, tannins and flavonoids were quantified. Finally, the potential of J. curcas latex to inhibit angiogenesis was evaluated using the chick chorioallantoic membrane model. Five groups of 20 fertilized chicken eggs each had the chorioallantoic membrane exposed to the following solutions: (1) water, negative control; (2) dexamethasone, angiogenesis inhibitor; (3) Regederm®, positive control; (4) 25% J. curcas latex diluted in water; (5) 50% J. curcas latex diluted in water; and (6) J. curcas crude latex. Analysis of the newly-formed vascular net was made through captured images and quantification of the number of pixels. Histological analyses were performed to evaluate the inflammation, neovascularization, and hyperemia parameters. The results were statically analyzed with a significance level set at p ˂0.05.RESULTS: Physicochemical characterization showed that J. curcas latex presented a low amount of cis-1.4-polyisoprene, which reduced its elasticity and thermal stability. Phytochemical analyses of J. curcas latex identified a substantial amount of phenols, tannins, and flavonoids (51.9%, 11.8%, and 0.07% respectively). Using a chick chorioallantoic membrane assay, we demonstrated the antiangiogenic potential of J. curcas latex. The latex induced a decrease in the vascularization of the membranes when compared with neutral and positive controls (water and Regederm®). However, when compared with the negative control (dexamethasone), higher J. curcas latex concentrations showed no significant differences.CONCLUSIONS: J. curcas latex showed low thermal stability, and consisted of phenols, tannins, and flavonoids, but little or no rubber. Moreover, this latex demonstrated a significant antiangiogenic activity on a chick chorioallantoic membrane model. The combination of antimutagenic, cytotoxic, antioxidant and antiangiogenic properties makes J. curcas latex a potential target for the development of new drugs.