Circ_0000011 promotes cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury via miR-27a-3p-dependent regulation of NRIP1

Background

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) can result in brain function impairments. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as vital regulators in cerebral I/R injury. However, the functions of mmu_circ_0000011 in cerebral I/R injury are still unclear. Thus, in this study, we aimed to explore the effect of mmu_circ_0000011 on cerebral I/R injury.

Methods

Oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD/R)-induced HT-22 cells were used to mimic the condition of cerebral I/R injury in vitro. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, 5’-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay and flow cytometry analysis were utilized to assess cell viability, LDH release, proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. qRT-PCR and western blot were performed to determined the levels of circ_0000011, miR-27a-3p and NRIP1. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay were utilized to analyze the targeting relation of circ_0000011, miR-27a-3p and NRIP1.

Results

OGD/R treatment inhibited HT-22 cell viability and promoted LDH release, cell apoptosis and inflammation. Circ_0000011 level was increased in OGD/R-induced HT-22 cells. Silencing of circ_0000011 promoted cell proliferation and inhibited LDH release, apoptosis and inflammation in OGD/R-treated HT-22 cells. For mechanism analysis, circ_0000011 was demonstrated to sponge miR-27a-3p, which directly targeted NRIP1. MiR-27a-3p inhibition or NRIP1 overexpression ameliorated the impacts of circ_0000011 silencing on cell proliferation, LDH release, apoptosis and inflammation in OGD/R-treated HT-22 cells.

Conclusions

Circ_0000011 promotes OGD/R-induced HT-22 cell impairments by elevating NRIP1 through sponging miR-27a-3p.

     

Central nervous system activity of Illicium verum fruit extracts

ObjectiveTo research the acute toxicity of Illicium verum (I. verum) fruit extracts and its action on central nervous system.MethodsThe TLC and HPTLC techniques were used as fingerprints to determine the chemical components present in I. verum. Male albino rats and mice were utilized for study. The powdered material was successively extracted with n–hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol using a Soxhlet extractor. Acute toxicity studies were performed as per OECD guidelines. The CNS activity was evaluated on parameters of general behavior, sleeping pattern, locomotor activity, anxiety and myocoordination activity. The animals were trained for seven days prior to experiments and the divided into five groups with six animals in each. The drug was administered by intraperitoneal route according to body weight. The dosing was done as prescribed in each protocol.ResultsToxicity studies reported 2 000 mg/kg as toxicological dose and 1/10 of the same dose was taken as therapeutic dose Intraperitoneal injection of all extracts at dose of 200 mg prolonged phenobarbitone induced sleeping time, produced alteration in general behavior pattern, reduced locomotor activity and produced anxiolytic effects but the extracts do not significantly alter muscles coordination activity. The three extracts of I. verum at the dose of 200 mg, methanol extract was found to produce more prominent effects, then hexane and ethylacetate extracts.ConclusionsThe observation suggested that the extracts of I. verum possess potent CNS depressant action and anxiolytic effect without interfering with motor coordination.     

Tracheal relaxation of five medicinal plants used in Mexico for the treatment of several diseases

Objective:To assess the relaxant effect of several organic extracts obtained from Agastache mexicana(A.mexicana),Cochlospermum vitifolium(C.vitifolium),Cordia morelosana(C.morelosana),Lepechinia caulescens(L.caulescens)and Talauma mexicana(71 mexicana)used in Mexican traditional medicine for the treatment of several diseases.Methods:Extracts were obtained by maceration at room temperature using hexane,dicliloromethane and methanol for each plant material.The organic extracts were evaluated ex vivo to determine their relaxant activity on the contractions induced by carbaehol(cholinergic receptor agonist,1μmol/L in isolated rat tracheal rings.Results:A total of 15 extracts were evaluated(three for each species).All test samples showed significant relaxant effect,in a concentration-dependent manner,on the contractions induced by 1μmol/L carbachol,with exception of extracts from C.morelosana.Active extracts were less potent than theophylline[phosphodiesterase inhibitor,EC_(50):(28.79±0.82)μg/mL]that was used as positive control.Concentration-response curves revealed that the extracts with more significant effects were dichloromethanic extracts of T.mexhxma[E_(max):(103.03±3.32)%and EC_(50):(159.39±3.72)μg/mL)and C.vitifolium[Emax:(106.58±2.42)%and EC_(50):(219.54±7.61)μg/mL].Finally,hexanic and dichloromethanic extracts from A.mexicana were fully effective but less potent than T.mexicana,and C.vitifolium.Conclusions:Less polar extracts obtained from A.mexicana,71 mexicana and C.vitifolium exhibited greater relaxant effect on tracheal rat rings,which allows us to suggest them as sources for the isolation of bioactive molecules with potential therapeutic value in the treatment of asthma.     

In vitro antiplasmodial activity of marine sponge Stylissa carteri associated bacteria against Plasmodium falciparum

ObjectiveTo identify the possible antiplasmodial drugs from bacteria associated with marine sponge Stylissa carteri (S. carteri).MethodsThe S. carteri samples were collected from Thondi coast and subjected for enumeration and isolation of associated bacteria. Filter sterilized extracts (100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.125 μ g/mL) from isolated bacterial strains were screened for antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) and potential extracts were also screened for biochemical constituents.ResultsTwelve samples of S. carteri were collected and subjected for enumeration and isolation of associated bacteria. The count of bacterial strains were maximum in November 2007 (34 × 10⁴ CFU/g) and the average count was maximum during the monsoon season (203 × 10³ CFU/g). Thirty two morphologically different bacterial strains were isolated from S. carteri and the ethyl acetate bacterial extracts were screened for antiplasmodial activity against P. falciparum. The antiplasmodial activity of a strain THB17 (IC₅₀ 20.56 μ g/mL) extract is highly comparable with the positive control chloroquine (IC₅₀ 19.59 μ g/mL) and 13 bacterial extracts which showed IC₅₀ value of more than 100 μ g/mL. Statistical analysis reveals that, significant in vitro antiplasmodial activity (P<0.05) was observed between the concentrations and time of exposure. The chemical injury to erythrocytes showed no morphological changes in erythrocytes by the ethyl acetate extract of bacterial strains after 48 h of incubation. The in vitro antiplasmodial activity might be due to the presence of reducing sugars and alkaloids in the ethyl acetate extracts of bacterial strains.ConclusionsThe ethyl acetate extract of THB17 possesses lead compounds for the development of antiplasmodial drugs.     

Assessment of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of standardized aqueous extract from leaves of Erythroxylum cuneatum in human HepG2 and WRL68 cells line

ObjectiveTo investigate the cytotoxicity and the genotoxicity of standardized aqueous of dry leaves of Erythroxylum cuneatum (E. cuneatum) in human HepG2 and WRL68 cells.MethodsThe cytotoxicity of E. cuneatum extract was evaluated by both MTS and LDH assays. Genotoxicity study on E. cuneatum extract was assessed by the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). The protective effect of E. cuneatum against menadione-induced cytotoxicity was also investigated.ResultsResults from this study showed that E. cuneatum extract exhibited cytotoxic activities towards the cells with IC₅₀ value of (125±12) and (125±14) μg/mL for HepG2 and WRL68 cells respectively, after 72 h incubation period as determined by MTS assay. LDH leakage was detected at (251±19) and (199.5±12.0) μg/mL for HepG2 and WRL68 respectively. Genotoxicity study results showed that treatment with E. cuneatum up to 1 mg/mL did not cause obvious DNA damage in WRL68 and HepG2 cells. Addition of E. cunaetum did not show significant protection towards menadione in WRL68 and HepG2 Cells.ConclusionsE. cuneatum standardized aqueous extract might be developed in order to establish new pharmacological possibilities for its application.     

Hibiscus sabdariffa extractivities on cadmium-mediated alterations of human U937 cell viability and activation

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of the anthocyanin-rich extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa (H. sabdariffa) calyx on the viability of cadmium-treated U937 cells and cadmium-mediated activation of U937-derived macrophages.MethodsThe macrophage cell line U937 was treated with cadmium (0.1 μ mol/L) and later incubated with the anthocyanin-rich extract and cell viability was assessed via trypan blue staining. In the other experiment, the U937 cells were transformed to the macrophage form by treatment with phorbol 12, myristate 13, and acetate and incubated with cadmium (10 μ mol/L). The anthocyanin-rich extract was added to the cells later and subsequently, the supernatant of each cell culture was analysed for the production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), nitric oxide, and catalase activity as indices for the activation of macrophages.ResultsIt revealed that the anthocynanin-rich extract significantly (P < 0.05) increased the viability of the cells which was suppressed by cadmium when compared to quercetin dihydrate. The extract also reduced the cadmium-mediated production of the markers of macrophage-activation when compared to quercetin dihydrate. In both experiments, the activity of the extract was concentration-dependent (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe findings show that H. sabdariffa possesses significant immunoprotective effect. These corroborate the immense reported antioxidant and medicinal potential of the calyces of the plant which could be exploited for pharmacological and neutraceutical advantages.     

Effect of collagen I and aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein on 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation

Aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein (ACLP) is a secreted protein expressed in preadipocytes and down-regulated during adipogenesis. Results from previous studies on the influence of ACLP overexpression on adipogenesis vary from no effect to complete inhibition. We hypothesized that ACLP may modulate adipogenesis in the presence of collagen I, a protein to which it binds. We compared control (pLXSN) 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with 3T3-L1 preadipocytes stably overexpressing ACLP (pLXSN-ACLP) that were grown in standard vs collagen I-coated dishes. Aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein overexpression, via retroviral transduction, resulted in a 3.2-fold increase in ACLP cellular levels and a 2.1-fold increase in ACLP levels released into medium. Aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein overexpression did not inhibit differentiation in standard dishes. In collagen I-coated dishes compared with standard dishes, control preadipocytes, when induced to differentiate, exhibited the same increase in triacylglycerol accumulation, but showed a significantly higher induction of fatty acid synthase (1.6-fold more), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (1.4-fold more), and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (1.4-fold more). Aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein overexpression significantly reduced this enhanced induction of fatty acid synthase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α by 65%, 59%, and 66%, respectively, but had no effect on the accumulation of triacylglycerol during differentiation. Finally, studies on proadipogenic insulin signaling in ACLP-overexpressing preadipocytes demonstrated that insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation was significantly decreased by 27% in cells cultured in collagen I-coated dishes vs standard dishes. Our data suggest that ACLP inhibits certain aspects of 3T3-L1 adipogenesis in a collagen I-rich environment.     

Antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging activities of Streptomyces sp.strain MJM 10778

Objective:To investigate the antioxidant activity of soil-borne aetinobacteria.Methods:The total phenolic contents,the level of antioxidant potential by DPPH radical scavenging activity,MO scavenging activity,and ABTS radical scavenging activity in ethyl acelale extract were determined.Results:The 16 S rDNA sequencing analysis revealed that Streptomyces sp.strain MJM 10778.which was isolated from Hambak Mountain.Korea,has 99.9% similarity to Streptomyces misionensis(S.misionenis) NBRC 13063.The physiological and the morphological test revealed that the strain MJM 10778 has different characteristics from the strain NBRC.13063.The entire antioxidant assay with the ethyl acelale extract displayed good radical scavenging activity.The IC_(50) values of the strain MJM 10778 extract on DPPH,.NO.and ABTS radicals were identified to he 92.8 μg/mL,0.02 μg/ml,and 134.9 μg/mL,respectively.The ethyl acetate extract of the strain MJM 10778 showed an 81.500% of cell viability at 100 μg/mL in Raw264.7cell viability assay.Conclusions:The results obtained suggesl that the ethyl acetate extract of Streptomyces sp.strain MJM 10778 could be considered as a potential source of drug for the diseases that is caused by free radicals with its anti-oxidant activities and low cytotoxicity.     

Phytochemical analysis and in vitro antimicrobial activity of Illicium griffithii Hook. f. & Thoms extracts

ObjectiveTo evaluate the antimicrobial activity of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of seeds and fruits of Illicium griffithii (I. griffithii)(Family: Schisandraceae).MethodsThe antimicrobial activity of the organic extracts were determined using disc diffusion assay against Gram-positive bacterial strains (three reference cultures and three clinical isolates), Gram-negative bacterial strains (nine reference cultures and six clinical isolates), and six fungi. The primary phytochemical and chemical compositions were analyzed using qualitative chemical analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry respectively.ResultsEthyl acetate extract of fruits was effective against most of the tested reference cultures such as Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella paratyphi, Enterococcus feacalis, Xanthomonas oryzae and Pseudomonas aerugenosa, whereas methanol extract showed activity only against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Xanthomonas oryzae. The hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of fruits were more effective against most of the clinical isolates, whereas methanol extract was effective only against Klebsiella pneumoniae ESBL. The extracts of fruits and seeds did not show any significant antifungal activity against tested fungi. The presence of phenols, tannins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, saponis and carbohydrates in the different extracts was established. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry studies on hexane and ethyl acetate extract of fruits resulted in the identification of 31 and 39 compounds respectively.ConclusionsPotent antibacterial phytochemicals are present in ethyl acetate extract of I. griffithii fruits. Further studies are needed to investigate activities of I. griffithii against multidrug resistant bacteria.     

Antimalarial activity of Evolvulus alsinoids Linn.-an in vitro Plasmodium falciparum specific lactate dehydrogenase enzyme inhibition assay

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of standardized methanol extract of Evolvulus alsinoids Linn. (E. alsinoids) on Plasmodium falciparum specific lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH) enzyme inhibition.MethodsTo carry out enzyme inhibition studies, lactate dehydrogenase was cloned from Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain using expression vector pET28a and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Protein purification was carried out by Ni-affinity chromatography. This protein was used for the inhibition study. Methanol extract of E. alsinoids was standardized by high performance thin layer chromatography described by previous literature and screened for PfLDH enzyme inhibitory activity and compared with gossypol (a known PfLDH enzyme inhibitor).ResultsIt was found that E. alsinoids possesses a compond scopoletin and potentially inhibits PfLDH [(25.04依0.51)%].ConclusionsMethanol extract of E. alsinoids showed significant PfLDH inhibition as evidenced from the experiments performed. The activity may be attributed to the presence of various polyphenolic and flavanoids compounds.     

Evaluation of Andrographis paniculata Burm.f. (Family:Acanthaceae) extracts against Culex quinquefasciatus (Say.) and Aedes aegypti (Linn.) (Diptera:Culicidae)

ObjectiveTo investigate the larvicidal and ovicidal efficacy of different extracts of Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata) against Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus) Say and Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) L. (Diptera: Culicidae).MethodsLarvicidal efficacy of the crude leaf extracts of A. paniculata with five different solvents like benzene, hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and chloroform was tested against the early third instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti. The ovicidal activity was determined against two mosquito species to various concentrations ranging from 50-300 ppm under the laboratory conditions.ResultsThe benzene, hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and chloroform leaf extract of A. paniculata was found to be more effective against Cx. quinquefasciatus than Ae. aegypti. The LC₅₀ values were 112.19, 137.48, 118.67, 102.05, 91.20 ppm and 119.58, 146.34, 124.24, 110.12, 99.54 ppm respectively. Among five tested solvent, methanol and ethyl acetate crude extract was found to be most effective for ovicidal activity against two mosquito species. The extract of methanol and ethyl acetate exerted 100% mortality at 200 ppm against Cx. quinquefasciatus and at 250 ppm against Ae. aegypti.ConclusionsFrom the results it can be concluded the crude extract of A. paniculata was a potential for controlling Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti mosquitoes.     

Cyathula prostrata: A potent source of anticancer agent against daltons ascites in Swiss albino mice

ObjectiveTo evaluate the anticancer activity of the methanolic extract of Cyathula prostrata in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC)-bearing mice with methotrexate as positive control in the advanced stage of tumorigenesis.MethodsEAC was induced in swiss albino mice by injecting 10⁶ cell/mL of tumor cell suspension intraperitoneal. The methanolic extract of Cyathula prostrata effect on the tumor cell viability, DNA fragmentation and MTT assay were carried out.ResultsMethanolic extract attenuated percentage increased in the cell survival time when compared to control group. However, the effect was less than that of methotrexat. Methotrexat and the extracts reversed the tumor-induced alterations in DNA fragmentation and MTT assay.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that the methanol extract of Cyathula prostrata has significant anticancer activity and that is comparable to that of methotrexate.     

Antifilarial activity of ethyl acetate extract of Vitex negundo leaves in vitro

ObjectiveTo evaluate the possible antifilarial effect of ethyl acetate extract of Vitex negundo (Verbenaceae) leaves against Setaria cervi filarial parasite in vitro.MethodsIn vitro screening was done by the method of motility inhibition and MTT reduction assay with concentrations of 0.03 to 1.00 mg/mL for 2 to 24 h incubation periods respectively, for possible antifilarial effect by comparing with control.ResultsIn motility assay, complete inhibition of motility was observed and in MTT reduction assay which gave >50% reduction for concentrations 0.20, 0.50 and 1.00 mg/mL at 10, 6 and 2 h incubation periods respectively in a dose dependent manner (P<0.05). An antifilarial effect imparted by plant extract was found to be a function of their relative concentrations. Inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) for the plant extract was found to be 0.16 mg/mL.ConclusionsThe present study recorded significant antifilarial effect of Vitex negundo plant extract and contributed toward the development of database for novel drug candidates for lymphatic filariasis.     

Dose-dependent effect of histamine on antibody generation in vivo

ObjectiveTo delineate immunomodulatory role of histamine on antibody generation profile in rabbit in the present dose-dependent histamine study.MethodsThe cohort comprised of three groups (III, IV and V), containing six rabbits each, and received subcutaneous histamine 50 μ g/kg × bis in die (b.i.d.), 100 μg/kg × b.i.d. and 200 μg/kg × b.i.d., respectively for 10 days (starting from the 1st day). They were subsequently immunized on the 3rd day with intravenous injection of sheep blood cell (SRBC) (1×10⁹ cells/mL). Group II (positive control) (n=6) received vehicle (sterile distilled water) and immunized at day 3 similarly while group I (negative control) (n=6) remained non-immunized and received only vehicle. All experimentations were performed in triplicate. Blood samples were collected on pre-immunization (pre-I) (day 0), as well as on days 7-, 14-, 21-, 28- and 58- post-immunization (post-I). Immunological parameters [total immunoglobulins (Igs), IgM and IgG] were analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique.ResultsHistamine could influence a detectable antibody response to SRBC as early as day 7-post-I, which lasted until day 58- post-I. The results were found statistically significant (P < 0.05).ConclusionsOur results provide evidence that histamine has a short-term effect on antibody generation (until its presence in the body), and the antibody generation titer in vivo were affected by the concentration of histamine.     

Identification and bioinformatics analysis of lactate dehydrogenase genes from Echinococcus granulosus

ObjectiveTo identify full length cDNA sequence of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from adult Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus) and to predict the structure and function of its encoding protein using bioinformatics methods.MethodsWith the help of NCBI, EMBI, Expasy and other online sites, the open reading frame (ORF), conserved domain, physical and chemical parameters, signal peptide, epitope, topological structures of the protein sequences were predicted and a homology tertiary structure model was created; Vector NTI software was used for sequence alignment, phylogenetic tree construction and tertiary structure prediction.ResultsThe target sequence was 1 233 bp length with a 996 bp biggest ORF encoding 331 amino acids protein with typical L-LDH conserved domain. It was confirmed as full length c DNA of LDH from E. granulosus and named as EgLDH (GenBank accession number: HM748917). The predicted molecular weight and isoelectric point of the deduced protein were 3 5516.2D a and 6.32 respectively. Compared with LDH s from Taenia solium, Taenia saginata asiatica, Spirometra erinaceieuropaei, Schistosoma japonicum, Clonorchis sinensis and human, it showed similarity of 86%, 85%, 55%, 58%, 58% and 53%, respectively. Eg LDH contained 3 putative transmembrane regions and 4 major epitopes (54aa-59aa, 81aa-87aa, 97aa-102aa, 307aa-313aa), the latter were significant different from the corresponding regions of human LDH. In addition, some NAD and substrate binding sites located on epitopes 54aa-59aa and 97aa-102aa, respectively. Tertiary structure prediction showed that 3 key catalytic residues 105R, 165D and 192H forming a catalytic center near the epitope 97aa-102aa, most NAD and substrate binding sites located around the center.ConclusionsThe full length c DNA sequences of Eg LDH were identified. It encoded a putative transmembrane protein which might be an ideal target molecule for vaccine and drugs.     

Effect of artmether,hemin and Fe3+ on recombinant lactate dehydrogenase from Schistosoma japonicum

ObjectiveTo explore antischitosome effects of artemether, hemin and Fe³⁺ on Sj LDH.MethodsEnzyme activity of rSj LDH was assayed in the standard reaction system by adding different concentration of reagents (0.00-0.10 mM artemether, 0.00-0.02 mM hemin, 0.00-0.50 mM Fe³⁺). Same solvents of the each reagent were used as control.ResultsThere was no enzyme activity inhibition observed at 0.10 mM artemther; obivious inhibition for lactate oxidation reaction and pyruvate reduction reaction were detected at 0.002 mM and 0.004 mM of hemin, respectively; comparing with that of the control (P<0.05). The relative enzymatic activity inhibitions for pyruvate reduction reaction and lactate oxidation reaction at 0.02 mM hemin were 93.48% and 100.00%, respectively, comparing with that of the control (P<0.01); both pyruvate reduction and lactate oxidation reaction were inhibited completely at 0.50 mM Fe³⁺, comparing with that of the control (P<0.01).ConclusionsThe results implied that Sj LDH was not the direct molecular target of artemether. Hemin and Fe³⁺ are inhibitors of Sj LDH.     

Larvicidal activity of Persea americana Mill. against Aedes aegypti

ObjectiveTo evaluate the toxicity of the ethanol and hexane extracts of the different parts of Persea americana Mill. (P. americana) toward third and fourth instars larvae of Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) and to characterize the ethanol extract by qualitative phytochemical analysis.MethodsThe seeds, peels and pulp of P. americana were processed for crude extraction using 95% ethanol and n-hexane. Crude extracts were bio-assayed for larvicidal activity against Ae. aegypti following the World Health Organization standard bioassay method. The mortality was observed at 24 h and 48 h after treatment and data were subjected to probit analysis to determine lethal concentrations (LC₅₀ and LC₉₀). The ethanol extract was characterized by phytochemical analysis.ResultsBoth the hexane and ethanol extracts from the different parts of P. americana exhibited evidence of larvicidal toxicity. The hexane extract from the seeds exhibited the highest toxicity with LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of 9.82 mg/L and 22.19 mg/L, respectively, while the ethanol seed extract exhibited LC₅₀ of 16.48 mg/L and LC₉₀ 45.77 mg/L, respectively. This was closely followed by the ethanol extract of the peels with an LC₅₀ of 10.35 mg/L and LC₉₀ of 26.29 mg/L. The pulp extracted with ethanol also yielded great larvicidal toxicity with LC₅₀ of 21.32 mg/L and LC₉₀ of 59.45 mg/L. Results of the phytochemical analysis of the ethanol seed extract indicated presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, unsaturated steroids and triterpenoids, flavonoids (leucoanthocyanins), fats and oils.ConclusionsBoth the hexane and ethanol extracts of P. americana showed promising potential as an alternative source of a more sustainable, non-toxic and environmentally friendly solution for the control of dengue vector, Ae. aegypti.     

Evaluation of larvicidal activity of medicinal plant extracts against three mosquito vectors

ObjectiveTo evaluate the mosquito larvicidal activity of plant extracts.MethodsThe hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, and methanol leaf, flower and seed extracts of Abrus precatorius (A. precatorius), Croton bonplandianum (C. bonplandianum), Cynodon dactylon (C. dactylon), Musa paradisiaca (M. paradisiaca) and Syzygium aromaticum (S. aromaticum) were tested against fourth instar larvae of Anopheles vagus (An. vagus), Armigeres subalbatus (Ar. subalbatus) and Culex vishnui (Cx. vishnui).ResultsThe highest larval mortality was found in seed ethyl acetate extracts of A. precatorius and leaf extracts of C. bonplandianum, flower chloroform and methanol extracts of M. paradisiaca, and flower bud hexane extract of S. aromaticum against An. vagus with LC₅₀ values of 19.31, 39.96, 35.18, 79.90 and 85.90 μg/mL; leaf ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of C. dactylon, flower methanol extract of M. paradisiaca, flower bud methanol extract of S. aromaticum against Ar. subalbatus with LC₅₀ values of 21.67, 32.62, 48.90 and 78.28 μg/mL, and seed methanol of A. precatorius, flower methanol extract of M. paradisiaca, flower bud hexane extract of S. aromaticum against Cx. vishnui with LC₅₀ values of 136.84, 103.36 and 149.56 μg/mL, respectively.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the effective plant crude extracts have the potential to be used as an ideal ecofriendly approach for the control of disease vectors. This study provides the first report on the larvicidal activity of crude solvent extracts of different mosquitoes.     

Evaluation of in vitro antioxidant and apoptotic activities of Cyperus rotundus

Objective:To evaluate in vitro antioxidant and apoptotic activities of Crperus rotundas(C.rotundus).Methods:The phytochemical study and the antioxidant activities of both methanol and aqueous extracts from C.rotundus aerial part were determined.In addition,these extracts were also investigated for their cytotoxic and apoptotic activities.The major compound of the methanol extract was isolated.Both metlianol and aqueous extracts(300,150,and 50μg/mL)were evaluated for their antioxidant activity by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase assay system.However,16,8,and 4 mg/mL of each extract were tested to investigate their OH.formation scavenging potential.Aqueous extract(800,400.and 200μg/mL)and melhunol extract(350,175,and 88μg/mL)were tested against lipid peroxidation,induced by 75μM H_2O_2,The cytotoxicity(by MTT assay)and cell DNA fragmentation of both extracts were evaluated Inwards K562 and L1210 cell lines.The major compound was obtained from the butanol fraction of methanol extract and its structure was determined by KMN spectroscopic analysis.Results:The methanol and aqueous extracts showed respectively,88%and 19%inhibition of xanthine oxidase activity.Vet.the same extracts inhibited lipid peroxidation by 61.5%and 42.0%.respectively.Roth extracts inhibited OH.formation by 27.1%and 25.3%,respectively.Only methanol cxtract induced DNA degradation.Orientin was determined as the major compound isolated from the butanol fraction of metlianol extract.Conclusions:It appears that C.rotundus extracts exhibit a potential use as a natural antioxidant and an apoptosis inducer.