Cytogenetics, reproductive biology and pharmacological potential of Hyptis (Lamiaceae) species

• Grant number: 10/19788-9
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: August 01, 2011 - January 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Applied Botany
• Principal researcher: Ricardo Augusto Lombello
• Grantee: Ricardo Augusto Lombello
• Home Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Assoc. researchers: Cláudia Maria Furlan ; Daniele Ribeiro de Araujo ; Fulvio Rieli Mendes

Abstract

The search for new active biological substances moves several millions of US dollars in global trade annually. In this scenario Brazil stands on privileged position due to remarkable biodiversity. This biodiversity implies in high number of chemical compounds and an increased potential for new drugs development and other natural products used in several industries. Although medicinal plants have recently waked up higher scientific interests mainly focused on phytochemical features of its extracts, native species remains neglected by cytogenetic and reproductive biology studies. Reproductive and cytogenetic data supplies the basis and lead the ways to be taken in breeding programs. Beside this most of native species were never chemically studied. This project presents as general objectives: increase the cytogenetic, reproductive biology, chemical and pharmacological knowledge for the genus Hyptis (Lamiaceae) that presents recognized medicinal potential; and integrate UFABC's recently employed professors looking for consolidate interdisciplinary researches and set up a biotechnological laboratory in this new university. (AU)