Acalypha Research Articles

Bioremoval of Zinc in Polluted Soil using Acalypha inferno

Bioremoval of Zinc in Polluted Soil using Acalypha inferno

Carrying and Effect of Granulated Baits Formulated with Entomopathogenic Fungi among Atta sexdens rubropilosa Colonies (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The present study aimed to evaluate the carrying and effect of (dry) granulated baits containing conidia of entomopathogenic fungi among colonies of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa in the laboratory. This bait type was chosen to facilitate its eventual commercial use. Two applications were performed: in the first, baits with 1x108 conidia/g were utilized while in the second employed concentrations 5 to 8.6 times greater. The baits were formulated with a citric pulp base, with 2 isolates of Beauveria bassiana, 1 of Paecilomyces lilacinus and 1 of Isaria fumosorosea. The following controls were utilized: (I) baits with sulfluramid insecticide, (II) without active ingredient, and (III) Acalypha spp. leaf discs. It was verified that the baits containing fungal conidia were rapidly carried to the nest interior in both applications and were rejected minimally. Thus, the (dry) granulated bait formulation appears to be an adequate vehicle for entomopathogenic fungi. At the doses and concentrations utilized, the fungi provoked only limited worker mortality, not killing the colonies. Given the rapid carrying and low rejection, a higher conidial dose per colony can, perhaps, kill them. Thus, it is inferred that all the isolates tested present potential as an agent to control colonies of leaf-cutting ants.

Phytochemical, proximate and elemental analysis of acalypha wilkesiana leaves

Acalypha wilkesiana,commonly called Irish petticoat, is native to the south pacific islands andbelongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. Apart from its use as a vegetable, theplant is also used in traditional medicine as a diuretic plant and is eaten inthe management of hypertension. In this study, three samples (ethanol extract,aqueous extract and dried powder) of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves were analyzedfor the presence of phytochemicals according to standard methods. Apart fromflavonoids, steroids, anthraquinones and phytate, all the phytochemicals testedfor are present in the three samples. This qualitative analysis showed thepresence of flavonoids only in the ethanol extract and powdered leave, steroidsonly in the ethanol extract, anthraquinones and phytate in the aqueous extractand powdered leave only. Proximate analysis revealed the presence of ash [4.16%(aqueous extract),13.98% (ethanol extract) and 13.65% (powdered leaves)],moisture [66.0% (aqueous extract), 30.89% (ethanol extract) and 12.0% (powderedleaves)], total lipid [1.75% (aqueous extract), 4.25% (ethanol extract) and2.20% (powdered leaves)], as well as fiber, crude protein and energy, whileelemental analysis revealed the presence of sodium [0.0086% (aqueous extract),0.024% (ethanol extract) and 0.015% (powdered leaves)], potassium [0.49%(aqueous extract), 1.36% (ethanol extract) and 1.44% (powdered leaves)], aswell as chloride and calcium. The various phytochemical compounds detected areknown to have beneficial use in industries and medical sciences, and alsoexhibit physiological activity.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves in alloxan induced diabetic rats

The effect of daily administration of aqueous extract of Acalypha wilkesiana administered orally at a dose of 400mg/kg was studied in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, the hypoglycemic effect of a single dose of 400mg/kgmethanolic extract ofAcalypha wilkesianawas also evaluated within 24 hours of dosing the rats.Glibenclamide, Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80) and distilled water were orally administered to equal number of rats as positive and negative controls, respectively. Effect of oral administration of aqueous extract Acalypha wilkesiana(400 mg/kg) on blood glucoselevel, triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined. The 400 mg/kg dose of aqueous extracts caused 50.8% reductions in blood glucose when compared to 70.6% reduction caused by Glibenclamide, a standard antidiabetic agent after 21 days treatment. The aqueous extract also caused statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease in the values of serum cholesterol (121±0.5) mg/dl, LDL (61.70±1.4) mg/dl but produced statistically significant (p<0.05) increase in the value of HDL (42.95±1.0) mg/dl when compared to the untreated control. The hourly percentage glucose reductions obtained, revealed a steady decrease from 10.7% at 30mins post administration of the extract to 43.8% reduction at 24 hours.This is comparable with the 52.4% reduction obtained at 24hr post administration of standard antidiabetic agent by Glibenclamide. The study supports the medicinal use of A. wilkesianafor its antidiabetic action and reports the hypolipidemic activities of the plant.Keywords: Hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, Acalypha wilkesiana, leaves

The natural vegetation of Babile Elephant Sanctuary, Eastern Ethiopia: Implications for biodiversity conservation

A floristic analysis of the natural vegetation was carried out in the Babile Elephant Sanctuary (BES), in semi-arid part of eastern Ethiopia. A total of 75 quadrats, each 400 m 2 , were analyzed following a stratified sampling design. A total of 237 plant species, belonging to 155 genera and 57 families, were identified. Fabaceae was represented by the highest number of species (i.e., 36 species; 15.1%). Six community types were identified using the TWINSPAN program. These are: I. Tamarindus indica ; II. Acacia robusta ; III. Acacia seyal - Balanites aegyptiaca; IV. Acacia senegal - Acalypha fruticosa ; V. Terminalia brownii - Boswellia neglecta and VI. Acacia bussie - Grewia tenax types. A total basal area of 17.8 m2/ha, and a density of 385 ± 114.2 (S.E.) individuals ha-1 were calculated for 67 woody species (22 trees, 36 shrubs and 9 climbers); the mean density of trees was 32 ± 9.96, shrubs 619 ± 203.3 and climbers 315 ± 103.4 individuals ha -1 . A very high impact was imposed by the invasive species Lantana camara , which had a density of 2794.6 individuals ha -1 . In general, the vegetation of the sanctuary was threatened by human encroachment, intensification of commercialized farming and invasive species. Therefore, as the habitat for the only known population of the isolated, ecologically distinct subspecies population of the elephant ( Loxodonta africana orleansi ), the BES should be afforded the highest conservation priority as a matter of urgency. Keywords/phrases: Babile Elephant Sanctuary, Community types, Conservation, Floristic analysis, Species diversity Ethiop. J. Biol. Sci ., 10(2): 137-152, 2011

In vitro antimicrobial activity of leaves of Acalypha indica Linn (Euphorbiaceae).

The antimicrobial activity of water, ethanol and chloroform extracts of Acalypha indica was tested against four bacterial and fungal strains using the disc diffusion method. The antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria was more pronounced (p < 0.05) in water and ethanol extracts. Antifungal activity was more significant (p < 0.05) only in chloroform extract. This antimicrobial activity was compared to standard antibiotics (penicillin, enrofloxacin, ampicillin and chlorampenicol) and antifungal drugs (ketoconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole). Findings from current study support the use of Acalypha indica in traditional medicine for the treatment of various bacterial and fungal infections.

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of the ethanolic extract of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves in rats

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of the ethanolic extract of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves in rats

Isolation of potential antibacterial and antioxidant compounds from Acalypha indica and Ocimum basilicum.

In recent years multiple drug resistance has been developed in many microbes due to indiscriminate use of existing antimicrobial drugs in the treatment of infectious diseases. This paves the way for reconsidering traditional medicine; hence a study was carried out to explore the antimicrobial activities of the acetone and ethanol extract of Acalypha indica and Ocimum basilicum against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosaand Proteus sp. The results revealed that the ethanol extract of both the plants was more effective than acetone extract particularly on Proteus sp. Hence, both the plants can be vitally used in treating various diseases caused by those pathogens. Key words: Acalypha indica, Ocimum basilicum, antibacterial activity, antioxidant activity.

A study on elemental contents of medicinally important species of Artemisia L. (Asteraceae) found in Pakistan.

Genus Artemisia is cosmopolitan in distribution and its several species are being used in folk therapeutic treatments worldwide. In this study, elemental compositions of seventeen indigenous species (Artemisia scoparia, Artemisiaabsinthium, Acalypha indica, Artemisia santolinifolia, Abronia maritima, Artemisiavulgaris, Artemisia japonica, Artemisia nilagirica, Artemisia herba-alba, Artemisiaannua, Artemisia brevifolia, A. moorcroftiana, Artemisia dracunculus, Aglaiaroxburghiana and Artemisia dubia) that are commonly used against ailments in Pakistan were studied for the first time through atomic absorption spectrophotometry methods. It is observed that these species contain nine trace elements namely Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Co, Cd, Pb, Mn, Fe and four major elements that are K, Na, Ca and Mg. Further it is observed that in few sepses the concentration of heavy metals are found over and above the normal concentration levels than the international safety standards prescribed for medicinal plants. This study also discusses the impacts of heavy metal toxicity in humans. Key words: Artemisia, elemental analysis, medicinal herbs, medicinal plants, heavy metal poisoning.

Antimicrobial screening of Terminalia avicennoides and Acalypha wilkesiana

The antimicrobial activities of extracts of Terminalia avicennoides (Mexican tea) and Acalypha wilkesiana (copper leaf) were screened against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Salmonella typhi, Staphyloccus aureus and Candida albicans. The extracts showed a better activity against all organisms but T. avicennoides showed high activity against C. albicans. The antimicrobial activities for both plant extracts were more pronounced at a high concentration than at low concentration of the extracts. The extracts of the two plants can be used in the treatment of diseases where the test organisms are implicated. Key words: Antimicrobial activities, Terminalia avicennoides, Acalypha wilkesiana.

The Antibacterial Activity of Acalypha indica L.

The antibacterial activity of Acalypha indica was investigated against three strains of human pathogenic bacteria viz., Bacillus subtilis , Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae using ethylacetate, hexane and methanol extracts of leaves, stem and roots of Acalypha indica . The ethylacetate extracts of leaves and roots inhibited the growth of all the three selected bacterial species. The in vitro assay may open way for complementary future investigations in identifying potentially useful properties of chemical and pharmacological importance.

Hepatoprotective effect of the aqueous extract of leaves of Acalypha racemosa in carbon tetrachloride treated rats

The effects of simultaneous treatment of CCl4 (i.p) with 60 mg/kg (p.o) of aqueous extract of leaves of Acalypha racemosa on rat liver was evaluated. Analysis of serum ALT and AST activities with those of the concentrations of albumin, total protein, unconjugated and total bilirubin were carried out. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content of liver was determined to investigate a probable mechanism of action of the extract. Administration of CCl4 alone to rats significantly increased total bilirubin concentration and the activities of ALT and AST (p < 0.05) in the serum while it significantly reduced (p < 0.05) serum total protein and albumin concentrations when compared with controls which received distilled water (p.o). Also it significantly increased (p < 0.05) liver MDA content when compared with control. However, simultaneous treatment of CCl4 with 60 mg/kg of the aqueous extract significantly reversed (p < 0.05) these changes. Results of MDA content of liver homogenates suggest that a probable mechanism of action of the extract is antioxidation. Histopathological studies were carried out on the liver to confirm the observed changes Key words: Acalypha racemosa, aqueous extract, hepatoprotective property, antioxidant effect, carbon tetrachloride, liver.

Screening Endophytic Fungi Isolated from a Medicinal Plant, Acalypha Indica L. for Antibacterial Activity

Among the Acalypha species, Acalypha indica L. is predominantly one of the herbs in waste lands throughout the plains of India. The leaves, root, stem and flowers are used in traditional medicine. In the present investigation, the antibacterial activity of A. indica by preliminary antibiotic assay screening was carried out. Ethylacetate, hexane and methanol extracts from the leaves, stem and roots of A. indica were investigated for their antibacterial activity against three strains of human pathogenic bacteria viz., Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae . Ethylacetate extracts of leaves and roots appeared to be quite promising due to their capacity to inhibit the growth of all the three selected bacterial species. Hexane extracts of leaves, stem and root showed moderate activity. These promising results in relation with antimicrobial activity in vitro open the way for complementary investigation in order to identify and purify the active compounds. In vitro antimicrobial screening methods could provide the needed preliminary observations necessary to select among crude extracts, those with potentially useful properties for further chemical and pharmacological investigations.

New Records of Acalypha in Australia: Notes on Australian Euphorbiaceae I

New Records of Acalypha in Australia: Notes on Australian Euphorbiaceae I

Notes on African Euphorbiaceae: VIII

In Acalypha a description is amplified. A. poiretii Spreng. is recorded for W. Africa and the allomorphic flowers of A. segetalis Muell. Arg. are described. In Croton, a new record for E. Africa is reported. In Drypetes, D. sclerophylla Mildbr. is upheld, and two recent gatherings from Tanzania are referred to it. In Erythrococca, 2 new species are described, 7 reductions to synonymy are made, a new record for E. Africa is reported, and the problem of 'E. sansibarica' is cleared up. In Jatropha, a new record for Kenya is reported. In Maesobotrya, a reduction to synonymy is made. In Micrococca, a new record for Kenya is reported. In Pseudolachnostylis, two species are reduced to varietal status under P. maprouneifolia Pax. Thecacoris is reported as a genus new to the Kenya flora.