Azadiractha Indica Research Articles

Antiplasmodial evidence, host mitochondrial biology and possible mechanisms of action of a composite extract of Azadiractha indica and Curcuma longa in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.

Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae) (AI) and Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae) (CL) are used for malaria treatment but their anti-glycolytic and host mitochondrial effects have not been studied. The AI stem-bark and CL rhizomes were extracted with methanol. Methanol extract of CL (Turmeric) was partitioned to yield methanol fraction (MF). Swiss mice infected with Plasmodium berghei (NK 65 strain) were treated with 200 and 400mg/kg of AI and turmeric for seven days. Turmeric and MF (200 and 400mg/kg) were combined with 400mg/kg AI to treat mice infected with Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain) for four days. Drug and infected controls mice were treated with artemether lumefantrine (10mg/kg) and distilled water (10mL/kg), respectively. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aldolase activities were determined. Liver mitochondria were obtained for mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) pore opening and FoF1 ATPase assays. The curcumin content of turmeric was determined using HPLC while LD50 of Turmeric and AI was also determined. The AI, and its combination with turmeric decreased parasite load and increased chemosuppression in both sensitive and resistant studies while MF and its combinations with AI induced mPT pore opening. In the resistant experiment, AI + Turmeric 400mg/kg decreased FoF1 ATPase, LDH and aldolase activities against the infected control. The LD50 values of both extracts were above 2000mg/kg while the MF had the highest curcumin content. Antiplasmodial mechanisms of action of AI, CL and their combinations involve anti-glycolytic effects. Their composite formulations are more potent in malaria treatment.

Health Promoting Effect of Phyllanthus emblica and Azadiractha indica against Advanced Glycation End Products Formation

Oxidative stress is linked with inflammation, diabetic complications, and advanced glycation end products formation. Intake of flavonoid-rich foods has been reported to have a beneficial effect on human health. The aim of this study was to verify the therapeutic potential of Phyllanthusemblica and Azadiractha indica against glycation and other oxidative stress-induced complications such as inflammation using in vitro study. Ethanol extracts of Phyllanthus emblica fruit pulp and dried leaf of Azadiractha indica were prepared to investigate in vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-glycating potentials. In a DPPH assay, the EC50 value of extract of P. emblica and A. indica was found to be 1532.36 ± 0.17 and 1380.61 ± 0.27 µg/mL, respectively. The FRAP value of P. emblica and A. indica extract was 86.6 and 32.12 µg ascorbic acid/100 mg dry weight of the extract. The maximum percentage of H2O2 scavenging activity was 71.30% and 67.38%, respectively. Extracts of P. emblica and A. indica showed maximum inhibition of heat-induced BSA denaturation by 62.42% and 53.00%, heat-induced denaturation of egg albumin, by 50.84%% and 44.31%, and heat-induced hemolysis by 54.44% and 50.21%. Both extracts (600 µg/mL) significantly reduced the browning, structural changes, aggregation, and AGEs formation. Our biophysical studies confirmed the AGEs formation was inhibiting the potential of extracts. Thus, our findings confirm that these extracts are a rich source of antioxidants and may be utilized to prevent the oxidative stress-induced destruction of biomolecules, glycation, and in the therapy of a variety of health problems, including inflammation. Further, a combination of extracts of P. emblica and A. indica may be extremely useful in preventing and treating health problems.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Ethiopian Medicinal Plants: A Systematic Review.

Background: Podoconiosis and lymphatic filariasis are the most common causes of lower limb lymphoedema in the tropics. Many sufferers experience frequent painful episodes of acute bacterial infection. Plant based traditional medicines are used to treat infections in many countries and are culturally established in Ethiopia. Ethiopian medicinal plants found to have antibacterial and antifungal activities were reviewed with the aim of increasing information about the treatment of wound infections in patients with lymphoedema. Methods: This study collates data from published articles on medicinal plants with antibacterial and antifungal activities in Ethiopia. A systematic search of Scopus, EMBASE, PUBMED/MEDLINE and Google Scholar was undertaken. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO with registration number CRD42019127471. All controlled studies of in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities were considered. All articles containing the descriptors published until June 28, 2019 were included. The outcome was measured as percent inhibition of microbial growth. For quality assessment of individual in vitro studies, OECD guidelines and the WHO-Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) handbook were used. Results: Seventy-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 150 plant species and three compounds had been tested against 42 species of bacteria, while 43 plant species had been tested against 22 species of fungus. Conclusion: Materials derived from several Ethiopian medicinal plants have been shown to have promising activity against a variety of bacteria and fungi. Those derived from Azadiractha indica A. Juss. and Lawsonia inerms L. are the most extensively studied against a wide range of gram-negative and positive bacteria, and fungal species.

Phytochemical Evaluation and Antimicrobial Potential Assessment of Some Spices on Selected Pathogenic Microorganisms in Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria

The antibacterial activity of Monodora myristica, Xylopia aethiopica, Piper guineense, Tetrapleura tetraptera against selected human pathogens like Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Streptococcus mutans were ascertained using standard microbiological procedures. The herbaceous plants were sun dried and ground into powdery form. Fifty grams (50 g) each of the herbaceous plants were submerged into three (3) different extraction solvents (Ethanol, Methanol and Aqueous) in a conical flask, the flask were shaken intermittently for 24 hours. The herbaceous plants were sieved using whatman number one filter paper. The sieved extracts were allowed to air dry and the dried extracts were stored in a sterile sample bottle in the refrigerator until use. Agar well diffusion technique was used to determine the antibacterial activity/efficacy of the herbaceous plants. The antibacterial activity of ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica were determined. The result showed that aqueous extract had antimicrobial activity against all the test bacteria, ethanol extract had activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, but showed no activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans and Salmonella typhi. Methanol extract had activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Aqueous extract had activity similar to that of ethanol and methanol except that Streptococcus mutans which showed resistance to ethanol and methanol extracts was susceptible to aqueous extracts. Phytochemical analysis conducted shows that the herbaceous plant extracts contains substances such as alkaloids, saponin, tannin, flavonoid and phenol. The result obtained from this study revealed that these herbaceous extracts possess bioactive substances which had antibacterial activity on the test bacterial used in the study. Ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts of Azadiractha Indica, Monodora myristica, Xylopia aethiopica, piper guineense, and Tetrapleura tetraptera had a remarkable activity against Staphylococcus aureus, E.coli and Klebsiella pneumonia while Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans and Salmonella typhi were resistant to both ethanol and methanol extracts. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies should be carried out to identify the active constituents responsible for their antibacterial activity.

Pharmacoinformatics and molecular dynamics simulation-based phytochemical screening of neem plant (Azadiractha indica) against human cancer by targeting MCM7 protein.

Minichromosome maintenance complex component 7 (MCM7) belongs to the minichromosome maintenance family that is important for the initiation of eukaryotic DNA replication. Overexpression of the MCM7 protein is relative to cellular proliferation and responsible for aggressive malignancy in various cancers. Mechanistically, inhibition of MCM7 significantly reduces the cellular proliferation associated with cancer. To date, no effective small molecular candidate has been identified that can block the progression of cancer induced by the MCM7 protein. Therefore, the study has been designed to identify small molecular-like natural drug candidates against aggressive malignancy associated with various cancers by targeting MCM7 protein. To identify potential compounds against the targeted protein a comprehensive in silico drug design including molecular docking, ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion), toxicity, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation approaches has been applied. Seventy phytochemicals isolated from the neem tree (Azadiractha indica) were retrieved and screened against MCM7 protein by using the molecular docking simulation method, where the top four compounds have been chosen for further evaluation based on their binding affinities. Analysis of ADME and toxicity properties reveals the efficacy and safety of the selected four compounds. To validate the stability of the protein-ligand complex structure MD simulations approach has also been performed to the protein-ligand complex structure, which confirmed the stability of the selected three compounds including CAS ID:105377-74-0, CID:12308716 and CID:10505484 to the binding site of the protein. In the study, a comprehensive data screening process has performed based on the docking, ADMET properties, and MD simulation approaches, which found a good value of the selected four compounds against the targeted MCM7 protein and indicates as a promising and effective human anticancer agent.

Profil Fitokomponen dan Aktivitas Ekstrak Metanol Daun Intaran Bali (Azadiractha indica Juss.) terhadap Candida albicans ATCC-10231

Background: Candidiasis, usually caused by Candida albicans is commonly found in clinical settings. Resistance of C. albicans against antifungals is an emerging issue. This study was aimed to determine the selected quantitative phytocomponent profile and evaluate the effectiveness of intaran (Azadiractha indica A. Juss) leaf extract from Bali in inhibiting the growth of C. albicans .Methods: This experimental research was conducted at the Center for Marine Aquaculture Research and Development (Buleleng, Bali), Laboratory Service Unit, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Udayana University, and Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Udayana University, Denpasar, Bali. Our study included the preparation of the methanol extract of intaran leaves using maceration method, phytochemical analysis, and testing the antifungal activity of the extract using the diffusion disk assay against C. albicans ATCC-10231.Results: Phytochemical components in the methanol extract of intaran Bali leaves were chlorophyll (18434.47 mg/L), total antioxidants (4818.07 mg/L GAEAC), phenol (4391.16 mg/100gr GAE) and flavonoids (785.32 mg/100gr QE). The extract exhibited dose-dependent effect, with greatest inhibition against C. albicans ATCC-10231 growth was obtained at the concentration of 50%.Conclusion: Methanol extract of Balinese intaran leaves contained significant amount of chlorophyll, total antioxidants, phenol, and flavonoids. The extract showed antifungal activity against C. albicans ATCC-10231. This anticandidal effect is assumed to be related to the phytocomponents of the extract.

Essential oil as a new tool for larvicidal Aedes aegypti: A systematic review

ObjectiveThe study aimed to describe the effectiveness of essential oil plants for Aedes aegypti mosquito vector control. MethodsThis systematic review selection process following with 2015 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guideline. The source of the articles from databases international journal were Scopus, Pubmed, Scinapse and Google Scholar. ResultNatural control management with essential oil is the way of alternative for larvicidal mosquito control especially A. aegypti. The essential oil for many plants can use for larvicidal against A. aegypti as Piper batle L., Tinospora rhumpii, Azadiractha indica, Persea americana, Piper aduncum, Leucas aspera, Eucaliptus camaldulensis, Ottonia anisum, Salvia Plebeian, Lantana camara, and Syzygium aromaticum with 100% mortality larvae A. aegypti at 48h. ConclusionsThe vector borne diseases must be used to integrate vector management control with essential oils plants.

Insecticidal activity of plant extracts on Dysmicoccus brevipes in pineapple.

Dysmicoccus brevipes is an insect that can cause many losses in the culture of pineapple. Thus, it is necessary to study alternative control measures. The objective in this research was to evaluate the insecticidal activity of extracts of Azadiractha indica and Cyperus iria on Dysmicoccus brevipes in pineapple. Tests were carried out on: Colonization of D. brevipes and agronomic aspects of pineapple plants; mortality of this insect by the application of extracts directly and on contact surface. The treatments tested were: 1) Control 1 (water); 2) Control 2 (insecticide Evidence 700 WG); 3 and 4) Aqueous extract of A. indica at 5% and 10% concentrations; 5 and 6) Aqueous extract of C. iria at 5% and 10% concentrations. The design was the completely randomized design with five replicates. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and Scott-Knott test at a 5% probability. It was found that extracts A. indica 10% and C. iria 5% and 10% sprayed once in pineapple plants may adversely affect the D. brevipes population, not interfering in the agronomic aspects of the pineapple crop the initial growth phases. Therefore, have a potential to be used in Integrated Management of Pests associated with other control methods.

Antifungal activity of aqueous and corn steep liquor extract of Ficus exasperata, Anonna muricata and Azadiractha indica

This study investigated the activity of aqueous and corn steep liquor (CSL) extracts of Ficus exaperasta, Annona muricata and Azadirachta indica against Candida spp. isolated from high vaginal swab samples. Phytochemical screening of the plants was done using standard methods, the antifungal activity of the plant's extracts and standard drugs were tested against isolates of Candida spp. using the agar well diffusion method; the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were also determined using microdilution standardized techniques. Phytochemical screening of the aqueous and CSL extracts of the plants revealed the presence of tannin, saponin, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Among the five Candida strain isolates, the zone of inhibition produced by the plant extracts against C. albicans shows a range of 0-18.3 mm; C. krusei (strain A): 5.1-24.5 mm; C. krusei (strain B): 0-18.0 mm; C. kefyr (strain A): 6.1-27.5 mm; and C. kefyr (strain B): 0-22.0 mm. The CSL extract had higher inhibitory action compared with aqueous extract, also F. exasperata and A. muricata gave better antifungal activity against the tested Candida strains. The MIC of the aqueous and CSL extracts of the F. exasperata ranged between 6.25-12.50 mg/mL; A. muricata: 3.125-12.500 mg/mL, while the aqueous and CSL extracts of A. indica was found to have no activity at all the tested concentrations against C. albicans, C. krusei (strain A) and C. krusei (strain B), similar observation for the MFC. This study proved the antifungal efficacy of aqueous and CSL extracts of F. exasperata, A. muricata, and A. indica against isolates of Candida species which are usually implicated in candidiasis.

Efeitos da torta de neem no controle alternativo de nematoides gastrintestinais em ovinos: Revisão

One of the main problems of sheep farming is the parasitism caused by gastrointestinal nematodes that causes great losses in the activity and that makes economic production unfeasible. For this reason, the use without technical criteria of chemical products becomes more frequent in the properties, thus contributing to the parasitic resistance. Due to this resistance created by parasites to synthetic anthelmintics, the need to seek new active principles effective in the control of endoparasites is well known, with phytotherapy being a sustainable alternative. In this context the use of plant extracts popularly known as neem (Azadiractha indica) containing insecticidal activity may become a viable alternative in the fight against gastrointestinal nematodes. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review the literature on the possible potential of the use of neem pie (Azadiractha indica) as an alternative source for the control of endoparasites in sheep farming, minimizing the use of synthetic chemicals that are harmful to the environment.

Traditional agroforestry systems and biodiversity conservation

A survey was made to assess the biodiversity in traditional based agroforestry systems under rainfed agroecological situation in north eastern part of Karnataka, India and 27 tree species belonging to 15 families were recorded. Fabaceae was found to be the predominant family accounting for 11 species followed by Meliaceae and Rutaceae with 2 species each while other families had one species each. However, higher tree density per hectare was observed in Azadiractha indica (19.71) belonging to Meliaceae. Among the 27 species Sandal wood and Stain wood were listed in IUCN red list as threatened species. The highest number of families and species were observed in Koppal (11 and 20, respectively) closely followed by Yadgir district (10 and 20, respectively) while lower number of plant families and species were observed in Bidar district (6 and 11, respectively). Most of the species were used for timber (55.56%) purpose followed by fodder (48.15%), while 7.1 per cent were maintained for religious reasons.

Heavy Metals in Soil and Accumulation in Medicinal Plants at an Industrial Area in Enyimba city, Abia State, Nigeria

The study assessed heavy metals in the soil and subsequent accumulation in plants at an industrial site at Enyimba city, Abia State, Nigeria. Soil and medicinal plant samples were analyzed for zinc (Zn), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). The highest concentration of Zn (142.06 ± 2.91 mg/kg), Pb (18.06 ± 1.30 mg/kg) and Cd (27.055 ± 2.468 mg/kg) were obtained at the sampling points of 2, 7 and 5, respectively. The highest concentrations of Zn (27.09 ± 1.44 mg/kg) and Cd (2.000 ± 0.156 mg/kg) were accumulated by Azadiractha indica while the highest concentration of Pb (4.58 ± 0.51 mg/kg) was accumulated by Mangifera indica. The levels of Zn and Cd in soil were 13.77 ± 1.35 to 142.06 ± 2.91 and 0.695 ± 0.106 to 27.055 ± 2.468, and their concentrations in Azadiractha indica were 5.06 ± 0.35 to 27.09 ± 1.44 and 0.002 ± 0.001 to 2.000 ± 0.156 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of Zn and Cd in soil and Cd in Azadiractha indica reflected a state of pollution relative to Dutch criteria for soil and the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission for soil and herbal plants.

Sustainable biofuel strategy in Karnataka state a review

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a review of strategy developed by University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore in Biofuel Park, Hassan (Government of Karnataka, initiative to develop biofuel programme in India) for promoting sustainable biodiesel production using oil extracted from tree borne oil species. The main aim of this study was to analyse the current strategy, identify the limitations and propose sustainable biodiesel production strategies for rural Karnataka. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents critical analysis of current Biofuel Park strategy using strength weakness opportunities and threat (SWOT) method. The data for SWOT analysis were collected from Biofuel Park log books, followed by interviews with around 50 associations of biofuel feed stock growers. Further, to evolve sustainable strategies, a case study was carried out at a local village assessing sustainability of biodiesel production and use from four local tree species oil namely; Pongamia pinnata, Azadiractha indica, Madhuca indica and Simarouba glauca. The evolved strategies were brainstormed with local farming community and the deliberations were used to lay a road map for implementing the evolved strategies. Findings – The strategies proposed in the paper would help in sustainability of villages with respect to local energy needs and generate employment. The roadmap proposed would minimise green house gas (GHG) emission compared to Biofuel Park model/strategy and minimise biomass displacement. Originality/value – This paper fulfils a need to study biofuel strategies adopted by government bodies, analyse the same for sustainability and propose alternatives to overcome the limitations of the practiced strategy.

Neem Biodiesel - A Sustainability Study

Azadiractha Indica (Neem) is one of the promising tree species suitable for providing oil for biodiesel production. This paper addresses the life cycle assessment (LCA) with respect to, global warming potential, acidification potential and energy balance of a small scale biodiesel system using Neem oil as feedstock, in rural Karnataka (a southern state in India). The environmental impacts have been bench marked with the life cycle impacts of fossil diesel system and Jatropha. Global warming potential of Neem biodiesel life cycle (338 gCO2-eq Functional Unit -1* ) was found be 1.2 times higher than fossil diesel system (280 gCO2-eq Functional Unit -1 ) and 2.7 times higher than Jatropha biodiesel system(123.7 gCO2-eq Functional Unit-1). Acidification potential of Neem system was found to be negligible. It is observed that one hectare of Neem plantation is capable of sequestering the 1.35t of biogenic CO2 released during the Neem biodiesel life cycle, with additional sequestration potential of 8.65 t CO2 ha -1 . Net energy ratio of Neem biodiesel life cycle (22.06) has been found to be 26 times higher than fossil Diesel system and twelve times higher than Jatropha system (1.85). This life cycle study revealed that producing biodiesel from Neem oil is ecologically sustainable.

English

  Colletotrichum destructivum is the causal pathogen of cowpea anthracnose; botanical extracts and benlate fungicide were evaluated as Biopesticides/chemical control strategies in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L). Botanicals of four plants: Azadiractha indica,Cymbopogon citratus, Ocimum gratissimum, and Xylopia aethiopica, proved effective in reducing spore germination and colony growth in vitro and the growth of the pathogen in vivo. The extracts of X. aethiopica and A. indica more effectively reduced both the growth of the pathogen in vitro and the spread of the disease in vivo. Extracts and benlate applied both before and after pathogen inoculation of cowpea significantly reduced the size of pathogen induced lesion.   Key words: Anthracnose, diseases, biopesticides, botanical, benlate, Colletotrichum destructivum.

P-glycoprotein mediated efflux in Caco-2 cell monolayers: The influence of herbals on digoxin transport

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSeveral herbal medicines are concomitantly used with conventional medicines with a resultant increase in the recognition of herb–drug interactions. The phytomedicines Vernonia amygdalina Delile (VA), family Asteraceae; Azadiractha indica A. Juss (NL), family Meliaceae; Morinda lucida Benth (MLB), family Rubiaceae; Cymbopogon citratus Stapf (LG), family Poaceae; Curcuma longa L. (CUR), family Zingiberaceae; Carica papaya L. (CP), family Caricaceae and Tapinanthus sessilifolius Blume (ML), family Loranthaceae are used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria. They are also used in several regions world over in managing other ailments like cancer and diabetes. This study investigated their interaction with digoxin (DIG) with a view to predict the potential of P-glycoprotein (p-gp) mediated drug–herb interactions occurring with p-gp substrate drugs. Materials and MethodsTo assess p-gp mediated transport and inhibition, bidirectional transport studies were carried out on Caco-2 cell monolayers using digoxin (DIG) as a model p-gp substrate. Cell functionality was demonstrated using the determinations of transepithelial electric resistance (TEER), cell cytotoxicity testing utilizing the MTT assay as well as the inclusion of inhibition controls. ResultsUnder the conditions of this study, extracts of ML, VA and CP showed significant inhibition to 3H-Digoxin basolateral-to-apical (B–A) transport at 0.02–20mg/mL; the concentrations examined. Their apical-to-basolateral (A–B) transport was further investigated. Increases in the mean A–B transport and significant decreases in the B–A transport and efflux ratio values were observed. The apparent permeability coefficient and efflux ratio were computed providing an estimate of drug absorption. ConclusionThe findings show that extracts of ML, VA and CP significantly inhibit p-gp in vitro and interactions with conventional p-gp substrate drugs are likely to occur on co-administration which may result in altered therapeutic outcomes.

Neem cake: chemical composition and larvicidal activity on Asian tiger mosquito

New pesticides based on natural products are urgently needed, in consideration of their environmental care and lower collateral effects. Neem oil, the main product obtained from Azadiractha indica A. Juss, commonly known as neem tree, is mainly used in medical devices, cosmetics and soaps, as well as important insecticide. Manufacturing of neem oil first includes the collection of the neem seeds as raw material used for the extraction. Neem cake is the waste by-product remaining after extraction processes. The quality of the oil, as that of the cake, strictly depends from the quality of seeds as well as from the type of extraction processes used, which strongly influences the chemical composition of the product. Currently, the different types of commercial neem cake on the market are roughly identified as oiled and deoiled cake, but several other differences can be detected. The differences are relevant and must be determined, to obtain the necessary correlation between chemical constitution and larvicidal activities. Six different batches of neem cake, marketed by several Indian and European companies, were analyzed by HPLC and HPTLC, and their fingerprints compared, obtaining information about the different compositions, focusing in particular on nortriterpenes, considered as the main active components of neem oil. Therefore, the chemical composition of each cake was connected with the biological activitiy, i.e., the effects of the extracts of the six neem cakes were tested on eggs and larvae of Aedes albopictus (Stegomyia albopicta) (Diptera: Culicidae), commonly known as Asian tiger mosquito. The results confirmed the previously reported larvicide effects of neem cake that, however, can now be related to the chemical composition, in particular with nortriterpenes, allowing in that way to discriminate between the quality of the various marketed products, as potential domestic insecticides.

Efeito da azadiractina sobre Chaetosiphon fragaefolli (Cockerell, 1901) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) na cultura do morangueiro

O pulgão-verde Chaetosiphon fragaefolli é o principal inseto-praga da cultura do morangueiro. Neste trabalho, foi avaliado o efeito da azadiractina para o controle do inseto em laboratório e casa de vegetação. Os tratamentos avaliados foram a azadiractina (Azamax®, 100; 200 e 300 ml.100L-1) comparado com o tiametoxam (Actara 250 WG®, 10 g.100L-1), lambda-cialotrina (Karate Zeon 50 CS®, 80 ml.100L-1) e uma testemunha (água). Os produtos foram pulverizados sobre plantas de morangueiro da cultivar Aromas infestadas artificialmente em casa de vegetação. A azadiractina foi equivalente a lambda-cialotrina e ao tiametoxam no controle de C. fragaefolii desde que realizada uma segunda pulverização sete dias após a primeira. A persistência biológica dos inseticidas lambda-cialotrina e tiametoxam foi superior a 28 dias, com um controle de 75% da população de pulgões, enquanto azadiractina apresentou menor persistência biológica, controlando 70% da população por sete dias.

Actividad Fungicida e Insecticida de Emulsiones Agua/Aceite de Mezclas de Extractos de Nicotiana tabacum, Azadiractha indica y Eucalyptus tereticornis

A study on the acute and chronic insecticide potential on Drosophila melanogaster and antifungal on Fusarium oxysporum of oil-in-water emulsions of binary and ternary mixtures of extracts of Nicotiana tabacum and Azadiractha indica (neem) and Eucalyptus tereticornis essential oil. Dose/response curves for the mean lethal time, pupae-egg ratio, adult-pupae and inhibitory rate for antifungal activity were constructed, compared with the bioactivity mixtures, measuring synergism, antagonism and joint activity. High insecticidal acute activity was observed in tobacco to 6 g/L (mean lethal time=2.3 ± 0.5 minutes), the neem larvicide to 0.2 g/L (pupae-egg ratio=0.05) and fungicide in the eucalyptus to 3 g/L (inhibitory rate=100%). The bioactivities were enhanced in almost all binary and ternary mixtures, except for the fungicidal activity. The ternary mixture exhibits fungicidal activity antagonistic. The study shows the potential application of these technologies to control pests and diseases.

In vitro screening of plant lectins and tropical plant extracts for anthelmintic properties

Lectins are plant secondary metabolites (PSM) found in many forages and which may confer anthelmintic properties to gastrointestinal parasites through disrupting the development of parasitic larvae throughout its life cycle. In experiment 1, the ability of the plant lectins jacalin (JAC), concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin E2L2 (PHA-E2L2), phytohemagglutinin L4 (PHA-L4), phytohemagglutinin E3L (PHA-E3L), kidney bean albumin (KBA), Robinia pseudoacacia agglutinin (RPA), Maackia amurensis lectin (MAA), Maclura pomifera agglutinin (MAA), Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) to disrupt the feeding of the first stage larvae (L1) of the sheep gastro-intestinal nematodes (GIN) Teladorsagia circumcincta, Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis was investigated using a larval feeding inhibition test (LFIT). Only PHA-E3L, WGA and Con A had a potent effect on disrupting larval feeding of all of the three species of GIN investigated. The lectin concentration required to inhibit feeding in 50% of L1 (IC50) was 7.3±1.2, 8.3±1.4 and 4.3±1.7μg/ml for PHA-E3L; 59.1±32.4, 58.7±11.9 and 8.1±7.0μg/ml for Con A and 78.9±11.2, 69.4±8.1 and 28.0±14.1μg/ml for WGA for T. circumcincta, H. contortus and T. colubriformis larvae, respectively (P=0.006). The addition of the lectin inhibitors fetuin, glucose/mannose or N-acetylglucosamine for PHA-E3L, Con A and WGA, respectively, caused an increase in the proportion of larvae that had fed at all concentrations for PHA-E3L only. In experiment 2, the effect of extracts from the tropical plants Azadiractha indica, Trichanthera gigantea, Morus alba, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala on the feeding behaviour of H. contortus L1, was examined. A. indica, T. gigantea and M. alba failed to inhibit 50% of larvae from feeding at concentrations up to 10mg plant extract per ml. In contrast, both G. sepium and L. leucocephala demonstrated a dose-dependent effect on larval feeding with respective IC50 estimates (mean±s.e.) of 0.015mg/ml±0.001 and 3.465mg/ml±0.144, effects which were partly reversed by the inclusion of either the tannin inhibitor polyethylene glycol or the lectin inhibitor Fetuin. These studies demonstrate that plant lectins can have an inhibitory effect on the feeding behaviour of first stage larvae of ovine GIN in vitro. Moreover they also provide novel evidence that lectins may contribute to the anthelmintic properties of some tropical forage plant extracts, such as G. sepium and L. leucocephala.