Insecticidal action of the polyphenolic rich fractions from the stem bark of Streblus asper on Dysdercus cingulatus

Status and Prospects of Botanical Biopesticides in Europe and Mediterranean Countries

Concerning human and environmental health, safe alternatives to synthetic pesticides are urgently needed. Many of the currently used synthetic pesticides are not authorized for application in organic agriculture. In addition, the developed resistances of various pests against classical pesticides necessitate the urgent demand for efficient and safe products with novel modes of action. Botanical pesticides are assumed to be effective against various crop pests, and they are easily biodegradable and available in high quantities and at a reasonable cost. Many of them may act by diverse yet unexplored mechanisms of action. It is therefore surprising that only few plant species have been developed for commercial usage as biopesticides. This article reviews the status of botanical pesticides, especially in Europe and Mediterranean countries, deepening their active principles and mechanisms of action. Moreover, some constraints and challenges in the development of novel biopesticides are highlighted.

Pesticidal Activity of Sundarban Mangrove Plant Extracts against Sitophilus Pests and Identification of Active Constituents Using LC-MS

Plants act as a rich source of novel natural pesticides. In the backdrop of the recent revival of interest in developing plant-based insecticides, this study was carried out to investigate the pesticidal activity of Sundarban mangrove plants. A total of nine different plant parts from five plants, namely, Aegiceras corniculatum, Excoecaria agallocha, Heritiera fomes, Xylocarpus moluccensis, and Xylocarpus granatum, were extracted with methanol and tested for insecticidal activity against two common stored product pests Sitophilus oryzae and Sitophilus zeamais using direct contact feeding deterrent wafer disc method. Three bark extracts from A. corniculatum, E. agallocha, and H. fomes showed potent and statistically significant insecticidal activity against both S. oryzae and S. zeamais pests (80–100% mortality). All the active bark extracts were further fractionated using C-18 solid-phase extraction (SPE) columns and tested for their insecticidal activity against S. oryzae pest to identify the active fraction. Only the SPE4 fraction (100% MeOH) from all the three active plants showed the activity against S. oryzae pest with a lethal concentration 50% (LC₅₀) value of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/disc for A. corniculatum, E. agallocha, and H. fomes, respectively. The active fraction of A. corniculatum was further profiled for identification of active compounds using LC-ESI-MS and identified (along with some unknown peaks) two previously reported compounds at m/z 625.17630 (isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside) and 422.25346 (paspaline) as major constituents. Insecticidal activities of these plants are reported in this study for the first time and would be useful in promoting research aiming for the development of new biopesticides from mangrove plants.

Change in malate dehydrogenase and alpha amylase activities in Rubus fruticosus and Valeriana jatamansi treated granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius

Poor storage conditions provide favorable environment to stored grain pests for their growth. The bio-pesticides are the best alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Present study was conducted to compare toxicity of Rubus fruticosus and Valeriana jatamansi against granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius and subsequent changes in enzyme activity responsible for grain damage. In current research 5 g of R. fruticosus fruit and V. jatamansi rhizome powders were tested separately against S. granarius, in 50 g wheat whole grains for seven days in comparison with the control. The enzymatic activity of malate dehydrogenase and α-amylase was observed in the cellular extracts of S. granarius. The insects were crushed and homogenized in phosphate-buffer solution and centrifuged at 10000 rpm for 5 minutes. For the enzymatic measurement supernatant was tested; the spectrophotometer was adjusted at 340 nm. The reagents were mixed and incubated at 25 °C for five minutes. The cuvettes were placed in the experimental and reference sites of spectrophotometer and recorded the change in absorbance for 3-4 minutes. There was 5.60% and 14.92% reduction in the activity of malate dehydrogenase in R. fruticosus and V. jatamansi, treated insects, respectively. The alpha amylase enzyme activity was 6.82% reduced and 63.63% increase in R. fruticosus and V. jatamansi, treated insects, respectively. Present study addresses that both plant powders are effective against granary weevil by altering enzyme activities so both the plant powders can be used as bio-pesticides against the stored grains pests.

Daphnauranins C⁻E, Three New Antifeedants from Daphne aurantiaca Roots

Daphnauranins C–E (compounds 1–3), two sesquiterpenoids and one monoterpenoid were isolated from the roots of Daphne aurantiaca Diels. Daphnauranin C is a 9-O-13 etherified and hydroperoxy-substituted guaiane sesquiterpenoid, daphnauranin D is a guaiane sesquiterpenoid ketal, and daphnauranin E is a monoterpenoid lactone. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive analyses of MS, 1D NMR, and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. In an anti-feeding activities test, daphnauranins C–E showed activity against male fruit fly with anti-feeding indexes (AI) up to 39.1, 39.2, and 27.8% respectively, at 1 mM.

Three new cardiac glycosides obtained from the roots of Streblus asper Lour. and their cytotoxic and melanogenesis-inhibitory activities

Three new cardiac glycosides strophanthidin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-6-deoxy-β-d-allopyranoside (1), 5βH-16β-acetylkamaloside (2), and mansonin-19-carboxylic acid (3) along with seven known steroids including five cardiac glycosides were isolated from the methanol extracts of Streblus asper Lour. roots. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic analyses. The cytotoxicities of crude extracts and all the isolated compounds were evaluated against four human cancer cell lines (HL60, A549, AZ521, and SKBR3). Furthermore, the selective index (SI) of each compound was measured by the ratio of cytotoxic effect on a normal cell line (WI38) to the cytotoxic effect on cancer cell line (A549). The results suggested that cardiac glycosides (2, 4, and 6-8) exhibited significant cytotoxicities with IC50 values from 0.01 to 3.77 μM as well as high selective index for WI38/A549 (SI 1.50-24.26), and they displayed superior selectivities when compared with the reference cisplatin (SI 1.09). Preliminary structure-activity relationships (SARs) were also discussed regarding the type of C-10 group in the cardiac glycosides being a crucial factor in determining the cytotoxic activities and regarding the sugar moieties having much less of an active role than the type of C-10 group. In addition, the melanogenesis-inhibitory abilities of these compounds were also evaluated. Cardiac glycosides (3 and 6-8) displayed moderate inhibition effects on melanogenesis with melanin content (MC) of 26.22-74.90% at a concentration of 100 μM, thus showing high cell viability (CV: 77.94-111.70%) compared with that of the reference arbutin (MC: 82.50% and CV: 107.60%). Furthermore, western blot analysis of melanogenesis-related proteins suggested that 3 could inhibit melanogenesis by suppressing the protein expressions of TRP-2 and tyrosinase.

Biological activities of Solanum pseudocapsicum (Solanaceae) against cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hübner and armyworm, Spodoptera litura Fabricius (Lepidotera: Noctuidae)

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the antifeedant, insecticidal and growth inhibition activities of Solanum pseudocapsicum (S. pseudocapsicum) seed extracts against Spodoptera litura (S. litura) and Helicoverpa armigera (H. armigera).

METHODS

Hexane, diethyl ether, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate seed extracts were prepared and tested for antifeedant, insecticidal and growth inhibitory activities against fourth instar larvae of S. litura and H. armigera.

RESULTS

Ethyl acetate extract showed promising antifeedant and insecticidal activities against S. litura and H. armigera. Percentage of deformed larvae, pupae and adults were maximum in treatment of ethyl acetate extract. Percentage of successful adult emergence was deteriorated by seeds on extract treated larvae.

CONCLUSIONS

Ethyl acetate extracts of S. pseudocapsicum, showed higher efficiency of antifeedant, insecticidal and growth inhibition activities. Hence, it can be used to controll agricultural insect pests, S. litura and H. armigera.

Laboratory evaluation of the effects of Manilkara subsericea (Mart.) Dubard extracts and triterpenes on the development of Dysdercus peruvianus and Oncopeltus fasciatus

BACKGROUND

Studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of Manilkara subsericea extracts and triterpenes on the development of two species of agricultural pest insects, Oncopelus fasciatus and Dysdercus peruvianus.

RESULTS

All treatments of insects with M. subsericea extracts induced mortality, delayed development and inhibited moulting. Some extracts assayed (FH, FB and FD in D. peruvianus, and FH, FB and FEA in O. fasciatus) also produced body deformities in the few adults that emerged. Other extracts (FH, FEA, FB, FD and LET in both insects), however, induced either permanent (overaged) or extranumerary nymphs, both of which were unable to achieve the adult stage and reproductive status. The insects were also treated with triterpenes (α- and β-amyrin acetates) which showed high lethality at 30 days after treatment and delayed the intermoult period so that overaged nymphs were detected.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that extracts and triterpenes from Manilkara subsericea act as potent growth inhibitors of phytophagous hemipteran nymphs. It is also concluded that the mixture of several different molecules in the extracts used produces synergic effects that do not occur after using the triterpenes (PFT) alone. These secondary metabolites in the M. subsericea extracts can potentially be used in integrated control programmes against crop pests.

Antifungal compounds from Melia azedarach leaves for management of Ascochyta rabiei, the cause of chickpea blight

The antifungal activity of Melia azedarach L. leaves was investigated against Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Lab., the cause of destructive blight disease of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Bioassay guided fractionation revealed that the chloroform fraction of the methanolic extract of M. azedarach leaves was highly effective against A. rabiei. Six compounds, namely β-sitosterol (1), β-amyrin (2), ursolic acid (3), benzoic acid (4), 3,5 dimethoxybenzoic acid (5) and maesol (6) were isolated from the chloroform fraction through column chromatography. The in vitro antifungal activity of compounds 2-5 was evaluated against A. rabiei. A commercial fungicide, mancozeb, was used as a positive control. Different concentrations of mancozeb and the isolated compounds, ranging from 0.0039 to 4 mg mL(-1), were used in the antifungal bioassay, and data regarding minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was recorded 24, 48 and 72 h after incubation. All concentrations of mancozeb inhibited the fungal spore germination at all three incubation periods. The tested compounds exhibited variable antifungal activity against the target fungal pathogens. All compounds showed their highest antifungal activity after 24 h of incubation. Compound 2 was found to be the most effective, with an MIC of 0.0156 mg mL(-1), followed by compounds 3, 4 and 5, with MIC values of 0.0312, 0.25 and 0.125 mg mL(-1), respectively.

Antifungal activity of flavonoids isolated from mango (Mangifera indica L.) leaves

Five flavonoids, namely (-)-epicatechin-3-O-β-glucopyranoside (1), 5-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxylphenyl)pyrano[3,2-g]chromene-4(8H)-one (2), 6-(p-hydroxybenzyl)taxifolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (tricuspid) (3), quercetin-3-O-α-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (4) and (-)-epicatechin(2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,5,7-triol (5), were isolated from the leaves of mango (Mangifera indica L.). Antifungal activity of these compounds was evaluated against five fungal species, namely Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler, Aspergillus fumigatus Fresenius, Aspergillus niger van Tieghem, Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. and Penicillium citrii. Six concentrations, namely 100, 300, 500, 700, 900 and 1000 ppm of each of the five flavonoids were employed by means of the poisoned medium technique. All concentrations of the five test flavonoids significantly suppressed fungal growth. However, the specificity of different test compounds was evident against different fungal species. In general, antifungal activity of the flavonoids was gradually increased by increasing their concentrations. The highest concentration (of 1000 ppm) of compounds 1-5 reduced the growth of different target fungal species by 63-97%, 56-96%, 76-99%, 76-98% and 82-96%, respectively.

Herbicidal activity of Withania somnifera against Phalaris minor

Herbicidal activity of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. was studied against Phalaris minor Retz., one of the most problematic weeds of wheat in Pakistan. In laboratory bioassays the aqueous, methanol and n-hexane extracts of 5, 10 and 15% w/v (fresh weight basis) of the roots and shoots of W. somnifera were applied. Extracts in the different solvents exhibited markedly variable herbicidal activities against germination and seedling growth of the target weed species. The methanol extracts showed the highest toxicity. Different concentrations of methanol shoot and root extracts declined the germination of P. minor by 21-71%, its shoot length by 40-72%, its root length by 50-99% and the plant biomass by 32-83%. The aqueous extracts proved to be comparatively less toxic than the methanol extracts, where generally the highest concentration of 15% exhibited pronounced toxicity against the target weed species. There was up to 48, 51, 99 and 55% suppression of the weed's germination, shoot length, root length and plant biomass, respectively, due to the 15% aqueous root and shoot extracts. Generally, the n-hexane extracts of both roots and shoots exhibited insignificant or stimulatory effects against weed shoot length and plant biomass. In a foliar spray bioassay, aqueous and methanol shoot extracts of 10% w/v (dry weight basis) concentration were sprayed on one- and two-week old pot grown P. minor seedlings. Two subsequent sprays were carried out at five day intervals each. The aqueous extract significantly reduced the shoot and root dry biomass of one-week old P. minor plants. In a residue incorporation bioassay, crushed shoots of W. somnifera were incorporated in the soil at 1, 2, ... 5% w/w. Phalaris minor seeds were sown one week after residue incorporation and plants were harvested 45 days after sowing. The lower concentrations of 2 and 3% significantly reduced, while higher concentrations of 4 and 5% of residue incorporation completely arrested, the germination of P. minor. The present study concludes that both roots and shoots of W. somnifera contain herbicidal constituents against P. minor.

Management of corm-rot disease of Gladiolus by plant extracts

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of aqueous extracts of six plant species, namely Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (neem), Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br., Lawsonia alba Lam., Allium cepa L., A. sativum L. and Zingiber officinale Roscoe, and a systemic fungicide carbendazim 50% (w/w) WP, to manage the corm-rot disease of Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) caused by a fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. gladioli (Massey) Snyd. & Hans. Fusarium inoculation showed 80% disease incidence with 54 disease lesions per corm. Recommended dose of the chemical fungicide carbendazim significantly reduced the disease incidence to 13% and number of lesions to six per corm. Plant extract treatments exhibited variable effects on the incidence and severity of the disease. In general, all the test plant extracts managed the corm-rot disease to some extent. Aqueous bulb extracts of A. sativum and A. cepa and the rhizome extract of Z. officinale showed better disease management potential than that of the recommended dose of carbendazim. Fusarium inoculation significantly declined shoot growth. In general, carbendazim, as well as aqueous extracts, enhanced shoot growth to variable extents as compared to the Fusarium control.

Antifungal activity of methanol and n-hexane extracts of three Chenopodium species against Macrophomina phaseolina

Antifungal activity of methanol and n-hexane leaf, stem, root and inflorescence extracts (1, 2, 3 and 4% w/v) of three Chenopodium species (family Chenopodiaceae) namely Chenopodium album L., Chenopodium murale L. and Chenopodium ambrosioides L. was investigated against Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) G. Goid., a soil-borne fungal plant pathogen that has a broad host range and wide geographical distribution. All the extracts of the three Chenopodium species significantly suppressed the test fungal growth. However, there was marked variation among the various extract treatments. Methanol inflorescence extract of C. album exhibited highest antifungal activity resulting in up to 96% reduction in fungal biomass production. By contrast, methanol leaf extract of the same species exhibited least antifungal activity where 21-44% reduction in fungal biomass was recorded due to various employed extract concentrations. The various methanol extracts of C. murale and C. ambrosioides decreased fungal biomass by 62-90 and 50-84%, respectively. Similarly, various n-hexane extracts of C. album, C. murale and C. ambrosioides reduced fungal biomass by 60-94, 43-90 and 49-86%, respectively.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Streblus asper leaf extract in rats and its modulation on inflammation-associated genes expression in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells

AIM OF THIS STUDY

Streblus asper is a medicinal plant from Thailand used in folk medicine for the treatment of several inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of Streblus asper leaf ethanolic extract (SAE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experimental carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats was performed in which the SAE at doses of 125, 250, 500 mg/kg body weight was intraperitoneally administered to the rats. Then, reverse transcriptive polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was also performed to determine the effect of SAE on the expression of inflammation-associated genes in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

RESULTS

The SAE at all given doses caused a significant dose-dependent inhibition of edema (p<0.05). Moreover, the significant and dose-dependent LPS-induced cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expressions were demonstrated in RAW 264.7 cells treated with SAE. The inhibition is selective, since COX-1 mRNA expression did not change in the presence of SAE.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study are the first scientific evidence on the molecular effects of Streblus asper as a potential anti-inflammatory agent, which supports the fact that the plant is employed in traditional remedies.

Mosquito larvicidal activity of gluanol acetate, a tetracyclic triterpenes derived from Ficus racemosa Linn

The larvicidal activity of crude hexane, ethyl acetate, petroleum ether, acetone, and methanol extracts of the leaf and bark of Ficus racemosa (Moraceae) was assayed for their toxicity against the early fourth-instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae). The larval mortality was observed after 24-h exposure. All extracts showed moderate larvicidal effects; however, the highest larval mortality was found in bark acetone extract of F. racemosa. In the present study, bioassay-guided fractionation of acetone extract led to the separation and identification of a tetracyclic triterpenes derivative; gluanol acetate was isolated and identified as new mosquito larvicidal compound. Gluanol acetate was quite potent against fourth-instar larvae of Aedes aegypti L. (LC(50) 14.55 and LC(90) 64.99 ppm), Anopheles stephensi Liston (LC(50) 28.50 and LC(90) 106.50 ppm) and C. quinquefasciatus Say (LC(50) 41.42 and LC(90) 192.77 ppm). The structure was elucidated from infrared, ultraviolet, (1)H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), (13)C-NMR, and mass spectral data. This is the first report on the mosquito larvicidal activity of the reported compound from F. racemosa.

Streblus asper Lour. (Shakhotaka): A Review of its Chemical, Pharmacological and Ethnomedicinal Properties

Streblus asper Lour is a small tree found in tropical countries, such as India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. Various parts of this plant are used in Ayurveda and other folk medicines for the treatment of different ailments such as filariasis, leprosy, toothache, diarrhea, dysentery and cancer. Research carried out using different in vitro and in vivo techniques of biological evaluation support most of these claims. This review presents the botany, chemistry, traditional uses and pharmacology of this medicinal plant.

Flavonoids inhibit the amidolytic activity of human thrombin

The effect of a group of natural flavonoids on human thrombin amidolytic activity was investigated using a spectrophotometric inhibition assay while information on the kinetics and thermodynamics was obtained using optical biosensor techniques. All the flavonoids tested acted as reversible inhibitors, and the quercetin-thrombin complex was found to be most stable at pH=7.5. Docking analysis indicated that quercetin's inhibitory behavior could be related to its planar structure and low steric hindrance, and to its ability to form a critical H-bond with thrombin His57.

Insecticidal activity of proteinous venom from tentacle of jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum Kishinouye

Insecticidal activity of proteinous venom from tentacle of jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum Kishinouye was determined against three pest species, Stephanitis pyri Fabriciusa, Aphis medicaginis Koch, and Myzus persicae Sulzer. R. esculentum full proteinous venom had different insecticidal activity against S. pyri Fabriciusa, A. medicaginis Koch, and M. persicae Sulzer. The 48 h LC50 values were 123.1, 581.6, and 716.3 microg/mL, respectively. Of the three pests, R. esculentum full proteinous venom had the most potent toxicity against S. pyri Fabriciusa, and the corrected mortality recorded at 48 h was 97.86%. So, S. pyri Fabriciusa could be a potential target pest of R. esculentum full proteinous venom.