Resumo Este trabalho tem por objetivo investigar, pela primeira vez, as atividades antituberculose, antileishmania e antiproliferativa in vitro dos óleos essenciais (OEs) obtidos de folhas e flores de S. odoratissima. Avaliamos a atividade antimicobacteriana em termos da Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM). Os OEs mostraram ser antimicrobianos ativos contra M. tuberculosis, com valores de CIM de 150 µg/mL (folhas) e 162,5 µg/mL (flores). Os óleos apresentam significativa atividade antiparasitária contra a forma promastigota de L. amazonensis, com valores de CI50 (50% de inibição do crescimento) de 14,36 ± 2,02 (folhas) e 19,89 ± 2,66 µg/mL (flores). A atividade antiproliferativa em linhagem celular normal (GM07492A, fibroblastos de pulmão) e tumorais (MCF-7, HeLa e M059J) foi realizada utilizando o ensaio XTT; os resultados foram expressos a partir do cálculo da Concentração Inibitória de 50% do crescimento celular (CI50) e o índice de seletividade foi calculado. OEs de folhas e flores apresentaram um CI50 de 502,97 ± 40,33 µg/mL e 370,60 ± 2,01 µg/mL para a linhagem GM07492A, respectivamente. Observou-se atividade antiproliferativa contra todas as linhagens celulares tumorais humanas, com valores de CI50 significativamente inferiores aos obtidos para a linhagem celular normal, demonstrando valores de CI50 para a linhagem MCF-7 (367,57 ± 4,46 µg/mL para OEs folhas e 357,70 ± 1,85 µg/mL para OEs flores) e M059J (492,53 ± 56,67 µg/mL para OEs folhas e 324,90 ± 6,72 µg/mL para OEs flores). Estes resultados in vitro mostraram que OEs de S. odoratissima podem ser um possível candidato que atue como agente antimicobacteriano, antiparasitário e antitumoral.

Abstract This paper aims to investigate, for the first time, in vitro antitubercular, antileishmanial and antiproliferative activities of essential oils (EOs) from S. odoratissima leaves and flowers - grown in midwestern Brazil - against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis and human tumor cell lines. Antimycobacterial activity of EOs was evaluated in terms of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). EOs from leaves and flowers showed to be active antimicrobials against M. tuberculosis, since MIC values were 150 µg/mL and 162.5 µg/mL, respectively. Both EOs exhibited significant activity against promastigote forms of L. amazonensis; IC50 values (50% growth inhibition) were 14.36 ± 2.02 (EOs from leaves) and 19.89 ± 2.66 µg/mL (EOs from flowers). Antiproliferative activity in normal (GM07492A, lung fibroblasts) and tumor (MCF-7, HeLa and M059J) cell lines was performed by the XTT assay; results were expressed as IC50 (50% cell growth inhibition) and the selective index was calculated. IC50 values of EOs from leaves and flowers obtained in normal cell lines for were 502.97 ± 40.33 µg/mL and 370.60 ± 2.01 µg/mL, respectively. Antiproliferative activity was observed against human tumor cell lines, whose IC50 values were significantly lower than those obtained in normal cell lines of MCF-7 cells (367.57 ± 4.46 µg/mL-EOs from leaves and 357.70 ± 1.85 µg/mL-EOs from flowers) and M059J cells (492.53 ± 56.67 µg/mL-EOs from leaves and 324.90 ± 6.72 µg/mL-EOs from flowers), thus, indicating selectivity. These in vitro results showed that EOs from S. odoratissima may be an antimycobacterial, antiparasitic and antitumor agent.

Seasonal variations in scorpion activity were investigated during a 24 month period in an area of Caatinga (dryland) vegetation in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. The total number of scorpions captured was correlated with climatic variables and prey abundance. Scorpions were captured monthly using pitfall traps; their potential prey was captured using malaise, beating trays and pitfalls. A total of 104 scorpions were captured, representing four species: the bothriurids Bothriurus asper (Pocock, 1893) (n = 74; 71.2%) and B. rochai (Mello-Leitão, 1932) (n = 20; 19.2%), and the buthids Rhopalurus rochai (Borelli, 1910) (n = 4; 3.8%) and Tityus stigmurus (Thorell, 1876) (n = 1; 1.0%). The sex ratios (male:female) of the two most abundant species were 14:1 for B. asper and 7:1 for B. rochai. The abundance of scorpions captured was significantly correlated with precipitation, real evapotranspiration, and abundance of invertebrates (mainly insects). Scorpion activities, especially those of B. asper and B. rochai, may be closely related to their reproductive cycles. Reproduction apparently reaches its maximum when there is an abundance of food, which in the Caatinga is strongly associated with rainfall patterns.

Foram coletadas quatro espécies de escorpiões na Mata do Buraquinho, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil (Ananteris mauryi Lourenço, 1982, Tityus neglectus Mello-Leitão, 1932, T. pusillus Pocock, 1893 e T. stigmurus (Thorell, 1876)). Aspectos da biologia de A. mauryi e novos registros de distribuição geográfica das outras espécies foram anotados. Notas sobre a abundância e razão sexual de A. mauryi, a espécie mais abundante nessa área, são apresentados e discutidos.

Four species of scorpions (Ananteris mauryi Lourenço, 1982, Tityus neglectus Mello-Leitão, 1932, T. pusillus Pocock, 1893 and T. stigmurus (Thorell, 1876)) were collected in the " Mata do Buraquinho" , João Pessoa, state of Paraíba, Brazil. Aspects of biology for A. mauryi and new records on the geographic distribution of other species were annotated. Notes on the abundance and sex ratio on A. mauryi, the most abundant species in the area, are presented and discussed.

Este trabalho assinala a ocorrência de Rhopalurus debilis (C.L. Koch, 1841), no estado da Bahia, Brasil, acrescentando mais uma espécie à sua escorpiofauna e reforçando a importância do estudo regionalizado desses animais. Sete escorpiões (2 machos, 4 fêmeas e 1 jovem) foram coletados no município de Curaçá (08º 59' 31"S/ 39º 54' 29"W), entre os dias 14 e 16 de março de 2003, registrados no Núcleo Regional de Ofiologia e Animais Peçonhentos da Bahia (NOAP) e tombados no Museu de Zoologia da Universidade Federal da Bahia. Este registro revela uma nova ocorrência desta espécie, na margem direita do rio São Francisco.

This work reports the occurrence of Rhopalurus debilis (C.L. Koch, 1840), in the state of Bahia, Brazil, adding a species to its escorpiofauna and highlighting the importance of carrying out regional studies on these animals. Seven scorpions (2 males, 4 females and 1 young) were collected in the city of Curaçá (08º 59º 31ºS/39º 54º 29ºW), from March 14th to 16th, 2003. They were recorded in the Núcleo Regional de Ofiologia e Animais Peçonhentos da Bahia (NOAP) and included in the Scientific Collection of Scorpions of the Federal University of Bahia. These specimens represent a new record of this species in the right riverbank of the São Francisco river.