Tobacco Extract Research Articles

Compatibility of some botanicals and the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.), against the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

BackgroundThe red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), is a serious pest of stored grain commodities worldwide which results in considerable losses to stored wheat, Triticum aestivum (Linn.).Main bodyThe present laboratory bioassay was carried out to examine the efficiency of the fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) formulation (Racer TM), and Neem extract (NE), Eucalyptus extract (EE), and Tobacco extract (TE) against 3rd instar larvae of T. castaneum. The fungal formulation was applied at 0.3 × 108, 0.6 × 108, and 0.9 × 108 conidia kg−1 of the crushed wheat grains; as well, it was mixed separately with 5% concentrations of each plant extract under the laboratory conditions of 30 ± 2 °C and 65 ± 5% RH. Mortality rate of the tested larvae was enumerated after regular intervals of times. Mortality of the larvae increased at the highest combined concentrations of the fungal conidial formulation and the plant extracts rather than their single treatments. The highest mortality rate of the larvae (71.32%) was recorded at the highest concentration binary mixture of (Racer TM +NE), whereas relatively the lowest mortality rate (15.54%) was enumerated in the combined treatments of (Racer TM +NE). Furthermore, the highest separate concentration of B. bassiana (0.9 × 108 conidia/ml) persistently resulted in more larval mortality (32.68%) of 3rd instar larvae of T. castaneum than the plant extracts (7.52, 9.89, and 14.61%), respectively. A noticeably greater rate of mycosis and sporulation was counted in the larvae of the insect in separate treatments of B. bassiana than in its combined applications with the plant extracts. The highest mycosis (85.13%) and sporulation (160.12 conidia/ml) was detected in the treatment, where the lowest concentration of B. bassiana (0.3 × 108 conidia/ml) was used, alone.ConclusionHence, it was concluded that integrated use of these two bio-pesticides plus the fungus can be helpful in the integrated pest management program of T. castaneum.

MiR-944/CISH mediated inflammation via STAT3 is involved in oral cancer malignance by cigarette smoking

The cytokine-inducible Src homology 2-containing protein (CISH) is an endogenous suppressors of signal transduction and activator of transcription (STAT) and acts as a key negative regulator of inflammatory cytokine responses. Downregulation of CISH has been reported to associate with increased activation of STAT and enhanced inflammatory pathways. However, whether microRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in CISH/STAT regulation in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unknown. The expression of CISH on OSCC patients was determine by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Specific targeting by miRNAs was determined by software prediction, luciferase reporter assay, and correlation with target protein expression. The functions of miR-944 and CISH were accessed by transwell migration and invasion analyses using gain- and loss-of-function approaches. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and qRT-PCR were used to evaluate the pro-inflammation cytokines expression under the miR-944, CISH, NNK or combinations treatment. We found that the CISH protein, which modulates STAT3 activity, as a direct target of miR-944. CISH protein was significantly down-regulated in OSCC patients and cell lines and its level was inversely correlated with miR-944 expression. The miR-944-induced STAT3 phosphorylation, pro-inflammation cytokines secretion, migration and invasion were abolished by CISH restoration, suggesting that the oncogenic activity of miR-944 is CISH dependent. Furthermore, tobacco extract (NNK) may contribute to miR-944 induction and STAT3 activation. Antagomir-mediated inactivation of miR-944 prevented the NNK-induced STAT3 phosphorylation and pro-inflammation cytokines secretion. Altogether, these data demonstrate that NNK-induced miR944 expression plays an important role in CISH/STAT3-mediated inflammatory response and activation of tumor malignancy.

Do They Differ? Flavored versus Unflavored Waterpipe Tobacco Flavor Ingredients

Objectives: In this study, we characterized the sweet flavor ingredients in 2 internationally popular waterpipe tobaccos, flavored and unflavored. Methods: Tobacco extracts were quantified for humectants, sugars, menthol, nicotine, and sugar alcohols. Qualitative screening of flavor volatiles was performed, and 12 flavor volatiles were quantified. Results: Humectant content was 20 times greater in the flavored brand versus the unflavored, largely due to greater concentration of the glycerol. Sugar content was approximately 1.7 times higher in the flavored tobacco. Vanillin levels were > 200 times greater in the flavored brand. Nicotine content of the unflavored tobacco was 1.5 times greater on a mg/g tobacco basis, which can be explained by the much larger humectant mass content of the flavored tobacco. Conclusions: Flavored waterpipe tobacco may contain significantly greater amounts of humectants and flavor components (the compounds that make up the overall flavor), which may be harmful to users, compared to unflavored. Limiting flavors in waterpipe tobacco could aid in maximizing public health benefits.

Larvicidal activity and microencapsulation of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) extract on Malacosoma neustria testacea larvae

To understand and improve the stability of the insecticidal activity of tobacco extract, the 3rd instar larvae of Malacosoma neustria testacea was determined by the leaf film method. Spectrophotometry identified extract effects on activities of several enzymes. In addition, to improve the stability of the extract, microcapsules were prepared by complex coacervation and phase separation with the extract as core material, and gelatin and gum arabic as wall material. With the embedding rate as the evaluation index, the response surface method was used to optimize the preparation process of the microcapsules. The results show that the extract had a strong insecticidal activity on the larvae, with inhibitory effects on several enzymes examined of carboxylesterase, acetylcholinesterase, glutathione-S transferase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. The inhibition rate increased with time. The best preparation process of tobacco extract microcapsules was 25% mass fraction of emulsifier, 2.05% mass fraction of gelatin, 3% mass fraction of gum arabic, 1.34 wall core ratio, 36 min of complex coacervation time. The embedding rate was 58.4% which is approximately the theoretical embedding rate (58.9%). The microcapsules prepared by this method have a smooth surface, good combining form and particle size distribution, and a median diameter of 8.6 μm. Infrared characteristic peaks of the extracts were preserved at 877.55 cm‒1 and 2922.13 cm‒1. Microencapsulation can improve the thermal stability of the tobacco extract. Indoor toxicity tests showed that LC50 of extract microcapsules was 20.2 mg·mL‒1, equivalent to the toxicity level of the tobacco extract itself, indicating that microencapsulation did not reduce extract insecticidal effects. This research may provide a reference for the optimization of the tobacco extract microcapsule preparation process.

The Consequence of Aqueous Extract of Tobacco Leaves (Nicotiana tabacum. L) on Feed Intake, Body Mass, and Hematological Indices of Male Wistar Rats fed under Equal Environmental Conditions

Objective While the dangers of consuming tobacco by smoking has been of concern, the hazardous effect of other forms of tobacco consumption (in smokeless form) on health indices are less well explored. In this paper, we explored the effect of different doses of aqueous extract of tobacco leaves on feed intake, body mass, and hematological indices of male Wistar rats under equal environmental conditions. Method Using an oral route of administration, the rats (n = 24; w = 65–85 g; 2–3 weeks old) were administered at different doses of 100, 200, 400, 0 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) per day to group A, B, C, and D for 42 days, after phytochemical and acute toxicity testing of the tobacco leaves. Results Compared to the negative control group (D), packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, red blood cells, and lymphocytes reduced dose-dependently in contrast to the white blood cells, neutrophils, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular volume. As body mass and feed intake in relation to the different doses of aqueous extract of tobacco leaves reduced significantly (p < 0.05), the reverse was observed for body mass and feed intake in relation to room temperature. Conclusions By influencing hematological indices, feed intake, and body mass, the extract of tobacco leaves can be hazardous to health. However, to assess safety and to come up with a conscious conclusion, future studies should explore the effect of the extract on organs histopathology, biochemical parameters, and lipid profile of the body.

Cytotoxic Potential of Flavonoid from Nicotiana tabacum Leaves on MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells

Flavonoid has potential bioactivity as anticancer agents. The flavonoid of cultivated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), locally known as “Kasturi”, leaves was screened for its cytotoxicity against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and non-transformed Vero cells (African normal cell kidney line) in different concentrations. This study aimed to examine the cytotoxic potential of the flavonoid of Kasturi tobacco leaves against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Flavonoid obtained from methanolic extracts of Kasturi tobacco leaves, which have been purified from nicotine. The flavonoid of Kasturi tobacco leaves with concentrations of 20 to 640 μg/mL were exposed to MCF-7 and Vero cells for 24 h. Cell viability was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Flavonoid of Kasturi tobacco leaves with concentrations of 160 μg/mL decreased the MCF-7 cell viability more than 50%, with an inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) value of 148.41 μg/mL. Meanwhile, it inhibited 50% of Vero cell viability at 255.35 μg/mL. The flavonoid of Kasturi tobacco leaves has cytotoxic activity on MCF-7 cells, and might be a potential alternative agent for human breast cancer therapy.Keywords: flavonoid, tobacco leaves, human breast cancer cells, anticancer activity

Chronic Tobacco Exposure by Smoking Develops Insulin Resistance.

The present review critically discusses the high occurrence rate, insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes in tobacco exposed individuals. Tobacco extracts and smoke contain a large number of toxic materials and a significant number of those are metabolic disintegrators. Glucose and lipid homeostasis is severely impaired by this compound. Tobacco exposure contributes to adverse effects by impairing the physical, biochemical and molecular mechanisms in the tissues. The immunological components are damaged by tobacco with high production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-∞) and augmentation of inflammatory responses. These events result in damages to cytoskeletal structures of different tissues. Degradation of matrix structure (by activation of different types of MMPs) results in the permanent damages to the tissues and their metabolic functions. Cellular antioxidant defense system mostly cannot or hardly nullify CS-induced ROS production that activates polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), which are a major source of cytokines and chemokines (TNFα, IL6, IL8, INFγ). Additive effects of these immediately promote the low energy-metabolism as well as inflammation. Oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation contribute to the direct nicotine toxicity via nAChRs in diabetes. The investigator identified that skeletal muscle insulin-resistance occurs in smokers due to phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate1 (IRS1) at Ser-636 position. Tobacco exposure initiates free radical related immunological impairment, DNA damage, and inflammation. So, the present analysis is of importance to figure out the mechanistic layout of tobacco-induced tissue damage and its possible therapeutic interventions.

Evaluation of Some Botanical Extracts Against Major Insect Pests (Leafminer, Armored scale and Woolly Whitefly) of Citrus Plants in Central Zone of Tigray, North Ethiopia

Citrus fruit production is suffering from various yield-limiting factors particularly the sucking pests viz, citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella, woolly whitefly, Aleurothrixus floccosus and scale insects especially armored scales Aonidiella auriantii. The present paper tries to identify the effective botanical insecticides against these insect pests on citrus orange. An experiment was conducted in the established citrus orange farm in Kolla Temben at two farmer’s fields, Adiha and Agibe during the off-season of 2018 under irrigation growing condition in a randomized complete block design with six treatments and replicated thrice. The findings in both experimental sites showed that the neem seed extract had a significantly (P=0.001) lower leafminer infestation levels compared to the untreated control which is on par to the insecticide treatment of dimethoate. On the other hand, in both areas, whitefly mortality of more than 81% on average was recorded from neem seed extract followed by Tree tobacco (70%) (P=0.001). For scale insects however, in both experimental sites, the highest mean percent mortality was recorded from the insecticide dimethoate 40% EC (86.9%, 87.2 &amp; 86.0%on average) followed by neem seed and tree tobacco extracts,70.1 and 65.4% respectively. The botanicals particularly the neem seed extracts followed by tree tobacco are as effective as the chemical insecticide, dimethoate 40% EC, even superior in some cases, in controlling the target pests. Therefore, these botanicals could be used as an IPM component for against the target pests.

Tobacco extracts promote PD-L1 expression and enhance malignant biological differences via mTOR in gefitinib-resistant cell lines.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate whether tobacco extracts could regulate PD‐L1 expression and enhance malignant biological differences in gefitinib‐resistant cell lines.MethodsWe constructed gefitinib‐resistant cells and observed the biological differences in gefitinib‐resistant cells. The cells were stimulated with medium containing 5% volume of tobacco extract, and the change in PD‐L1 expression and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p‐mTOR expression in gefitinib‐resistant cells treated with tobacco extracts was observed. We discussed the relationship between PD‐L1 and mTOR.ResultsTobacco extracts could promote PD‐L1 expression in the cell line. Western blot analysis showed that mTOR and p‐mTOR were significantly enhanced in gefitinib‐resistant cell lines cultured in the tobacco extracts. The mTOR signaling pathway was involved in PD‐L1 expression and in regulating the expression of cytokines IL‐6 and IL‐23. In addition, the tobacco extracts could promote macrophage migration via mTOR/IL‐6.ConclusionsPD‐L1 can transmit inhibitory signals and reduce the proliferation of CD8 + T cells in lymph nodes. Tobacco extracts upregulate PD‐L1 expression via mTOR/IL‐6. These results imply that lung cancer patients should not smoke and stay away from a smoke environment.

The Effect of Coating as Antifungi of Harumanis Mango's Post Harvest Losses

The amount of mango production in Indonesia is quite high, but the quality of postharvest mangoes is still quite low. The quality of the fruit will decline due to contamination; one of the contaminants is fungi. The way to reduce the damage of postharvest products is by coating applications. The purpose of this study was to study the physical, chemical and antifungal activities of harumanis mangoes’s quality which had been given coating during storage that could cause postharvest losses of harumanis mangoes. There are 3 treatments, each of them are respectively the provision of corn based coating 6% tobacco extract, 8% tobacco extract and 10% tobacco extract. The physical and chemical properties of the antifungal coating of tobacco extract made from corn coating for post-harvest damage on harumanis mangoes were obtained by weight loss, texture, colour, respiration rate, vitamin C and total dissolved solid. Preventing coating can prevent damage after harvest and protect the harumanis mango; therefore the quality of the mangoes can be maintained. The best results from the priority with the largest diameter inhibition zone were given corn starch 10% tobacco extract. Then the higher the concentration of extract used, the greater the diameter of the inhibition zone obtained. Based on all the tests performed (physical, chemical, and antifungal) the best treatment from the treatment was obtained that consisted of mangoes with antifungal layers of corn starch 10% tobacco extract. Because the P3 obtained the best results in maintaining physical, chemical content and fungi for 15 days.

Natural Products can Efficiently Control the Greater Wax Moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), but are Harmless to Honey Bees

Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) have great global socioeconomic and environmental importance. However, the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella L.) is a pest that causes serious worldwide damage to honey bee colonies. Good beekeeping practices and physical, chemical, or natural methods can be used to control wax moths. The use of natural products is a more sustainable option because of their lower toxicity to the environment and the colony. Therefore, we evaluated the efficiency of four natural products for greater wax moth control: neem oil (Azadirachta indica), eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus spp.), tobacco extract (Nicotiana tabacum), and malagueta pepper extract (Capsicum frutescens). We also evaluated their effects on adult bees and on the population growth of colonies. The 4th instar wax moths and adult bees were subjected to in vitro bioassays of different concentrations of the products. The results allowed usto establish a concentration for each product that was safe for the bees and effectively controlled the moth. Then, we sprayed them on bee colonies to evaluate their effects on population growth. The neem and eucalyptus oils caused wax moth mortality at low concentrations, but did not affect colony population growth. However, they did have a toxic effect on adult bees. The tobacco and pepper extracts efficiently controlled the moth, but did not cause adult bee mortality or interfered with the population growth of the colonies. Therefore, the tobacco and pepper extracts could efficiently control the greater wax moth, without damaging honey bees.

Nicotiana tabacum (Tobacco) Promotes Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats

Objective: The health hazards of tobacco smoking and diabetes mellitus constitute major and diverse global burden. The influence of Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) powder and ethanolic extract on excised wound of diabetic rats was investigated.&#x0D; Methods: The wounds of diabetic adult male wistar rats in groups of six were dressed with tobacco powder (TPD), tobacco ethanolic extract (TED), sofratulle (SD) and normal saline (ND) daily till healed. There were composite control groups namely TPC, TEC, SC and NC.&#x0D; Every three days, the wound areas were measured in order to calculate the mean wound contraction rates. Granulation tissue was biopsied from an animal per group on day 3,6 and 9 for histopathological evaluation and after healing, the scars of the remaining animals were biopsied for histology.&#x0D; Results: On day 3, the tobacco powder diabetic (TPD) group had the highest mean wound contraction rate and even higher than its control group. At day 18, the tobacco extract control group had the least mean wound contraction rate. The mean wound contraction rates of some diabetic groups were significantly higher than those of the respective control on day 3 and 12 (TPD vs TPC; TED vs TEC). The TPD mean wound contraction rates were significantly higher than those of ND on day 3,6,9 and 12. Histology of the granulation tissues of the tobacco diabetic groups was similar to those of the other groups. Sections of the wound scars revealed stratified squamous epithelia with abundant collagen fibres and blood vessels in all the groups. It was also observed that the scars were more fibrous than cellular with dermal appendages observed in some of the groups.&#x0D; Conclusion: Topical application of Nicotiana tabacum (Tobacco) promotes wound healing with scars comparable to those of rats dressed with sofratulle.

A MINI-REVIEW ON NICOTINE AND ITS CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS

Nicotine is a naturally-occurring alkaloid found primarily in tobacco. It is most commonly absorbed from cigarette smoke. A cigarette contains 10 to 15mg nicotine and delivers on average 1mg nicotine to the smoker. Nicotine is also available from smokeless tobacco (snuff, chewing tobacco), pipe and cigar tobacco, waterpipe tobacco, and a variety of smoking cessation medications. Nicotine is also present in some insecticides, which may be a source of accidental or intentional poisoning. About 17% of nicotine is excreted unchanged in urine, with rate of urinary excretion is pH-dependent, decreasing in alkaline urine. Nicotine is found in milk of lactating women; with concentrations that parallel those of plasma. But, approximately 80 to 90% of nicotine is metabolized by lung, liver, and kidney; the principle metabolite is cotinine, which has a plasma concentration that is 10-fold higher than nicotine. In fact, nicotine itself even has some benefits. For instance, author linked chewing nicotine gum with improved shortterm memory, and less likely to develop Parkinson's disease, reduce stress and anxiety, and stabilize mood. Nicotine is used as an insecticide since the 1690s, as tobacco extracts, but not commercially available in the US since 2014, and homemade pesticides are banned on organiccrops and not for small gardeners. Nicotine pesticides have been banned in the EU since 2009. Foods are imported from countries in which nicotine pesticides are allowed, such as China, but foods may not exceed maximum nicotine levels. Neonicotinoids derived from and structurally similar to nicotine, are widely used as agricultural and veterinary pesticides as of 2016.

A MINI-REVIEW ON NICOTINE AND ITS CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS

Nicotine is a naturally-occurring alkaloid found primarily in tobacco. It is most commonly absorbed from cigarette smoke. A cigarette contains 10 to 15mg nicotine and delivers on average 1mg nicotine to the smoker. Nicotine is also available from smokeless tobacco (snuff, chewing tobacco), pipe and cigar tobacco, waterpipe tobacco, and a variety of smoking cessation medications. Nicotine is also present in some insecticides, which may be a source of accidental or intentional poisoning. About 17% of nicotine is excreted unchanged in urine, with rate of urinary excretion is pH-dependent, decreasing in alkaline urine. Nicotine is found in milk of lactating women; with concentrations that parallel those of plasma. But, approximately 80 to 90% of nicotine is metabolized by lung, liver, and kidney; the principle metabolite is cotinine, which has a plasma concentration that is 10-fold higher than nicotine. In fact, nicotine itself even has some benefits. For instance, author linked chewing nicotine gum with improved shortterm memory, and less likely to develop Parkinson's disease, reduce stress and anxiety, and stabilize mood. Nicotine is used as an insecticide since the 1690s, as tobacco extracts, but not commercially available in the US since 2014, and homemade pesticides are banned on organiccrops and not for small gardeners. Nicotine pesticides have been banned in the EU since 2009. Foods are imported from countries in which nicotine pesticides are allowed, such as China, but foods may not exceed maximum nicotine levels. Neonicotinoids derived from and structurally similar to nicotine, are widely used as agricultural and veterinary pesticides as of 2016.

Biopesticidal Properties of Aqueous Crude Extracts of Tobacco (Nicotiana Tabacum L.) Against Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda J.E Smith) on Maize Foliage (Zea Mays L.) Diets

Pesticidal plants offer valuable and sustainable options for managing Lepidopteran pests with considerable health, environmental and economic benefits in smallholder agro-ecosystem. This study Biopesticidal properties of aqueous crude extracts of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) against fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E Smith) on maize foliage (Zea mays L.) diets. Bio-efficacy of aqueous crude N. tabacum leaf extracts was evaluated under average room temperature at Great Zimbabwe University, Biology laboratory. The treatments were tobacco leaf extracts at four dosage levels (25 %, 33.33%, 41.67 % and 50% W/V ) and a negative control of untreated maize leaf foliage (distilled water) was used. A positive control of Carbaryl 85% WP was also used at label rates. The experiment was arranged in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) replicated three times. Five larvae were placed into each of the experimental jars with maize foliage diets drenched into 10ml of distilled water in each treatment extract to keep the maize leaf foliage moist. Mortality for each treatment was recorded at 2 hourly intervals for 20 hours. Results showed that tobacco crude aqueous leaf extracts had Antifeedent activities against FAW larvae. The highest dose of 50% had significantly higher mean FAW larval mortalities (p&lt; 0.05) than lower dosage (25%) and the negative control after 20 hours. However, 50% concentration was not significantly different (p&gt;0.05) from the positive control and that of 33.33% and 41.67% dosages. The bioassay indicated that the 33.33% extract was superior in toxicity to 25% dose and the negative control but similar to higher extract doses though inferior to positive control. However, the mean mortality of 50% extract was not significantly different (p&lt;0.05) from that of the positive control. This study recommends that 50% tobacco aqueous crude leaf extract dose to be used when controlling FAW in maize in the smallholder sector.

Evaluation the performance of anaesthetic effects of Tobacco and Ketamine on Grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes, 1844)

The present study aimed to determine the optimal concentration of three anaesthetics, name MS222, ketamine, and tobacco extract, in grass carp juveniles (107.78±22.11 g body weight and 226.74±13.06 mm total body length). Treatments were as follows: 100 mg L-1 of MS222 (control group), 5.5, 8, 11, 18.5, and 22 mg L-1 of ketamine, and 10, 13.33, 20, 26.27, and 40 mg L-1 of tobacco extract. In addition, changes in blood and biochemical parameters were measured at different concentrations. Considering the anaesthesia induction and recovery durations times, the optimal concentration for anaesthesia of studied substances was obtained as follows: 100 mg L-1 of MS222 (139.00±20.00 seconds), 18.5 mg L-1 of ketamine (140.10±20.20 seconds), and 40 mg L-1 of tobacco extract (174.00±20.09 seconds). Based on the results, the shortest recovery time from anaesthesia was observed at 26.27 mg L-1 of tobacco extract (870.00±5.3 seconds) and 8 mg L-1 of ketamine (967.00±5.5 seconds), respectively. The results indicated that the anaesthesia induction and recovery duration was dependent on the concentration of anaesthetics. Moreover, significant differences were observed between the three anaesthetics in terms of blood parameters. The study findings also revealed a significant difference between treatments in biochemical parameters (cortisol, glucose, and lactate).

The toxicity of the extract of tobacco leaf Nicotiana tabacum L, marigold leaf Tithonia diversifolia (HAMSLEY) and citrus japansche citroen peel Citrus limonia against citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama), the vector of citrus HLB disease

Potential insecticides generated from several plants or some plant wastes are used to control citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri. The aim of the study was to determine the toxicity of botanical insecticides from the extract of tobacco leaf, marigold leaves and Japansche citroen (JC) citrus peel against D. citri. The three plants, which were extracted with five kinds of solvents, namely acetone, distilled water, dichlormethane, hexane and methanol by maceration method. The test used leaf dipping method at 10% concentration with control and imidacloprid chemical insecticide as a comparison. The results showed that tobacco extract with all solvents was effective in controlling D. citri, starting at 1 day after treatment (DAT) with 44-92% mortality. The effective marigold leaf extract was those with the solvent of distilled water, dichlormethane and acetone. The mortality at 8 DAT was 100% and 70% and 74% respectively. Meanwhile, JC citrus peel extract with acetone, methanol and dichlormethane solvents were effective to control D. citri with the mortality at 8 DAT, the mortality reached 98%; 88% and 70% respectively. Thus, botanical insecticides of tobacco, marigold and JC orange peel with certain solvents can be used as controller of D. citri.

A combined effect of Bacillus sp., tobacco extracts and plant oils on the control of cruciferous vegetable anthracnose

In the present study, Bacillus strains were recovered from aqueous extracts of cut tobacco and characterized to pose a strong antifungal activity against Colletotrichum higginsianum, to promote plant growth and to reduce anthracnose severity on cabbage seedlings. The efficacy of the Bacillus strains on the suppression of spore germination and cabbage anthracnose was improved considerably when tobacco extracts were added during the fermentation processes. Moreover, the addition of peanut pomace, rapeseed pomace, plant oils (moringa oil, peanut oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, emusilified corn oil and emusilified peanut oil) or magnium-containing fertilizers into medium significantly increased antagonistic activities. Eight tobacco extract-based formulations were developed and used to culture the Bacillus strains, all of which resulted in a significant reduction of anthracnose severity on cabbage seedlings in greenhouse trials. This is a proof-of-concept study, which may open up a new avenue for screening potent biocontrol agents.

SURVEY THE ALLELOPATHIC EFFECTS OF TOBACCO (NICOTIANA TABACUM L.) ON CORN (ZEA MAYS L.) GROWTH AND GERMINATION

Allelopathy is the direct influence of chemical released from one plant on the development and growth of another plant. The trial accomplished in seed technology laboratory of Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University of Isfahan, in 2018. A factorial layout within completely randomized design with four replications was used. Treatments included plant organs extract (leaf, stem, root and total plant), and different tobacco extract densities includes four levels of 0%, 25%, 50% and 100%. Control treatment (0% of tobacco extract) had obtained the highest value of germination rate, germination percentage, coleoptile weight, radicle weight, radicle length and coleoptile length. The maximum germination rate, germination percentage, coleoptiles weight, radicle weight, radicle length and coleoptiles length was related to extract of stem extract which had meaningful differences with other treatments. Both radicle and coleoptile length decreased with increase in concentration of tobacco extract. Tobacco extract has negatively effects on corn seeds by decreasing the germination rate. Tobacco may increase the presence of secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, all of which may have different effects on seed germination percentage. The highest germination percentage (91.91%), coleoptile weight (0.046 mg), radicle weight (0.0161 mg), radicle length (7.24 mm), and coleoptiles length (6.45 mm) was related to interaction between control treatment (0% of extract) and stem extract. It is concluded that the extract of Nicotiana tabacum had both inhibitory and stimulatory effects on seedling growth of Zea mays.

MiR-944/CISH Mediated Inflammation &lt;i&gt;via&lt;/i&gt; STAT3 Is Involved in Oral Cancer Malignance by Cigarette Smoking

Background: The cytokine-inducible Src homology 2-containing protein (CISH) is an endogenous suppressors of signal transduction and activator of transcription (STAT) and acts as a key negative regulator of inflammatory cytokine responses. Downregulation of CISH has been reported to associate with increased activation of STAT and enhanced inflammatory pathways. However, whether microRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in CISH/STAT regulation and its underlying mechanism in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unknown. Methods: The expression of CISH on OSCC patients was determine by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Specific targeting by miRNAs was determined by software prediction and luciferase reporter assay. The functions of miR-944 and CISH were accessed by transwell migration and invasion analyses using gain- and loss-of-function approaches. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and qRT-PCR were used to evaluate the pro-inflammation cytokines expression under the miR-944, CISH, NNK or combinations treatment. Findings: CISH protein was significantly down-regulated in OSCC patients and cell lines and its level was inversely correlated with miR-944 expression. MiR-944-induced STAT3 phosphorylation, pro-inflammation cytokines secretion, migration and invasion were abolished by CISH restoration. Furthermore, tobacco extract (NNK) may contribute to the miR-944 induction and the activation of STAT3 in OSCC. MiR-944 inhibitor prevented the NNK-induced STAT3 phosphorylation and pro-inflammation cytokines secretion, indicating that miR-944 is required for NNK-induced cellular inflammatory pathways. Interpretation: Altogether, these data demonstrate that NNK-induced miR-944 expression plays an important role in CISH/STAT3-mediated inflammatory response and activation of tumor malignancy. Funding: This work was supported by National Health Research Institutes (NHRI) grants from Taiwan (NHRI-CA107-PP03, NHRI-CA108-PP03), and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) grants from Taiwan (MOHW 108-TDU-B-212-124026, MOHW 109-TDU-B-212-134013). Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of National Health Research Institutes (EC1040409-E) and Institutional Human Experiment and Ethic Committee of National Cheng Kung University Hospital (HR-97-100) for the use of clinical materials for research purpose. Informed consent was obtained from each patient.