Micropropagação, indução de calos, características anatômicas e monitoramento dos biomarcadores de Uncaria tomentosa Willdenow EX Roemer & Schultes DC E Uncaria guianensis (Aublet) Gmelin (Unha de gato)

Abstract

Among various medicinal plants found in the Amazon two species known as "cat´s claw" are highlighted: Uncaria guianensis and Uncaria tomentosa. Their medicinal properties are attributed to their immuno-stimulating, antiinflammatory and carcinogenic cell growth inhibitor effects. In recent years the preservation of these species has been threatened due to their indiscriminate harvest. In many cases, the right solution for obtaining the raw material is the cultivation of the species conditioned to its characteristic environmental and or genetic factors that influence the quality and quantity of the chemical compounds in the plants. Recognizing the necessity to have scientific information about the medicinal plants as well as the lack of studies on Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis micropropagation, this work has as objectives: the establishment of one methodology for the in vitro multiplication of the two species; the evaluation of the growth regulator effect in the callus induction; the characterization of several anatomical leaf aspects in vitro, in the acclimatization phase and in greenhouse plants from these species; the extraction and identification of the majority of chemicals constituent in the in vitro and in vivo plants. The best medium for multiple shoot induction of Uncaria guianensis was MS; for Uncaria tomentosa WPM supplied with 1,0 mg L-1 BAP. Concerning callus induction, from leaf explants the better treatment was one which had picloram added to the medium for both species. The growth curve showed a sigmoidal pattern with five distinct phases in a period of 35 to 40 days for the two species. In respect to leaf anatomy, the results indicated that the in vitro plantlets have less developed leaf tissue and large stomatos numbers demanding much more care in the initial acclimatization phase. Using TLC/HPLC analysis, the presence of oxindole alkaloids in vitro and in vivo leaf samples and in seed shells from those species studied was verified.