PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Vernonia cinerea Less. (VC) supplementation and exercise on oxidative stress biomarkers, beta-endorphin release, and the rate of cigarette smoking. METHODS Volunteer smokers were randomly divided into four groups: group 1: VC supplement; group 2: exercise with VC supplement; group 3: exercise; and group 4: control. VC was prepared b...

AIM To determine the effects of polyphenol-rich extract of the leaves of Vernonia amygdalina (PEVA) on the feeding pattern of rats that were exposed to cadmium (Cd) toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty male Wistar rats, weighing 160-180 g, were divided into 6 groups of 5 rats each as follows; Group 1 received distilled water orally (0.2 ml/100 g), daily, throughout the period of study. Grou...

Identification of the progenitors of plants endemic to oceanic islands often is complicated by extreme morphological divergence between island and continental taxa. This is especially true for the Hawaiian Islands, which are 3,900 km from any continental source. We examine the origin of Hesperomannia, a genus of three species endemic to Hawaii that always have been placed in the tribe Mutisieae...

The effect of Vernonia amygdalina Del. leaves on the reproductive potential of male Clarias gariepinus was investigated using 56 fish (425±75.7 g). Four diets with crude protein level of 45% were formulated with different inclusion levels of V. amygdalina leaves. The leaves were added to the basal diet at 0% (control), 5%, 10% and 15% inclusion levels. The 56 male C. gariepinus were randomly di...

Antimicrobial activity of crude extracts and fractions of Vernonia polyanthes Less (assa-peixe) flowers. Vernonia polyanthes, known as “assa-peixe”, is a plant native to Brazil, and the decoction or infusion of its flowers, roots and leaves are used in folk medicine, being considered sources of diuretic, balsamic, anti-rheumatic substances, and are used in cases of bronchitis and persistent cou...

In order to extend our knowledge concerning karyotypes of the genus Vernonia, we applied various techniques of chromosome banding, including AgNOR and triple staining with the fluorochromes CMA/DA/DAPI (CDD), and of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for the 45S rDNA probe to specimens of two populations of Vernonia geminata collected from an open-pasture area, in southern Brazil. B chrom...

Fresh leaves of Vernonia scorpioides are widely used in Brazil to treat a variety of skin disorders. Previous in vivo studies with extracts of this species had also demonstrated a high antitumor potential. This paper reports isolation of four sesquiterpene lactones (hirsutinolides and glaucolides), together with diacetylpiptocarphol, 8-acetyl-13-etoxypiptocarphol, luteolin, apigenin, and ethyl ...