Effect of different diets on larval growth of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Kolbe) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae)

The white-spotted flower chafer, Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Kolbe), is used as an important source of medicinal properties, such as anti-cancer activity and prevention of liver-related diseases, in Korea. To use this insect species without endangering wild populations, a mass rearing technique is needed. The present study was carried out to determine whether different diets can affect the larval growth of P. brevitarsis seulensis . Six different diets were investigated in the experiment, and the results showed that 20% rice straw with 80% oakwood sawdust was the best diet for larval growth of this beetle.     

Hypotriacylglycerolemic and Antiobesity Properties of a New Fermented Tea Product Obtained by Tea-Rolling Processing of Third-Crop Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) Leaves and Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) Leaves

We manufactured a new fermented tea by tea-rolling processing of third-crop green tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves and loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) leaves. The mixed fermented tea extract inhibited pancreatic lipase activity in vitro, and effectively suppressed postprandial hypertriacylglycerolemia in rats. Rats fed a diet containing 1% freeze-dried fermented tea extract for 4 weeks had a significantly lower liver triacylglycerol concentration and white adipose tissue weight than those fed the control diet lacking fermented tea extract. The activity of fatty acid synthase in hepatic cytosol markedly decreased in the fermented tea extract group as compared to the control group. The serum and liver triacylglycerol- and body fat-lowering effects of the mixed fermented tea extract were strong relative to the level of dietary supplementation. These results suggest that the new fermented tea product exhibited hypotriacylglycerolemic and antiobesity properties through suppression of both liver fatty acid synthesis and postprandial hypertriacylglycerolemia by inhibition of pancreatic lipase.     

A role of mulberry leaves in improving resistance to virus‐mediated disease in Allomyrina dichotoma

The purpose of this study was to develop a safe and effective method for preventing Allomyrina dichotoma nudivirus (AdNV) infection in the Korean horned beetle, Allomyrina dichotoma, found on the farms in the Republic of Korea. Mulberry leaf powder was added to fermented oak sawdust to minimize mortality in AdNV‐infected A. dichotoma. Mulberry leaves were found to contain 1‐deoxynojirimycin, which has anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, and anti‐tumor effects. Based on the proposed antiviral effects of mulberry leaves, a feed of fermented sawdust combined with 1% or 5% mulberry leaf powder was fed to AdNV‐infected second or third stage A. dichotoma larvae. The larval mortality rate was recorded over 10 weeks. The second and third instar larvae that were fed with the sawdust mixture with 5% mulberry leaf powder had mortality rates of 60% and 30%, respectively. In contrast, the control group that was fed with the sawdust without mulberry leaf powder had a mortality rate of 100%. Also, we confirmed that AdNV was not detected in the experimental group that was subjected to an outdoor application test for 8 months with mulberry leaf powder treatment. A reduced mortality rate after treatment with 1% mulberry leaf powder was observed in the field application. In addition, a comparison of the control colony and mulberry leaf treated group showed a statistical difference in growth of larvae at various states, and demonstrated the efficiency of mulberry leaf powder combined with fermented sawdust for treatment of AdNV‐ infected A. dichotoma.     

Laboratory studies on the larval food habits of the ground beetle Amara (Curtonotus) gigantea (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Zabrini)

Ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) are important components of soil ecosystems in temperate zones, but our knowledge regarding the ecology of many species is limited. This study examined larval food habits in the ground beetle Amara (Curtonotus) gigantea (Motschulsky) using laboratory‐rearing experiments. Because this beetle is a member of the tribe Zabrini, which includes several species that exhibit granivory during larval and/or adult stages, three diet types were tested, with starvation as a control: Tenebrio larvae, mixed seeds (Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae), Setaria spp., Digitaria ciliaris (both Poaceae), and Humulus scandens (Moraceae)), and Tenebrio larvae + mixed seeds. Because of high larval mortality during overwintering under laboratory‐rearing conditions, survival and the duration of development through pre‐overwintering stages (first and second instars) were compared. Larvae fed the diet of Tenebrio larvae + mixed seeds showed the highest survival (89%), followed by the diet of Tenebrio larvae (83%), but the difference between the two treatments was not significant; similarly, developmental durations did not differ between these two diets. Larvae fed the mixed‐seeds diet showed markedly lower survival, and no larvae reached the second instar. Therefore, for A. gigantea larvae, animal food results in high larval performance, whereas seeds provide a low value diet; animal food is essential for larval development, but seeds provide no benefit, even as a dietary supplement. Overall, the present results suggest that A. gigantea larvae are omnivorous but with a mainly carnivorous food habit.     

Protective effects of ascorbic acid on hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress caused by carbon tetrachloride in the liver of Wistar rats

This study was planned to investigate the protective effect of l (+)‐ascorbic acid (Vit C) on CCl₄‐induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in the liver of Wistar rats (Rattus Norvegicus, strain Wistar). Twenty‐four adult male Wistar rats were fed with standard rat chow diet for 10 days and randomly were divided into four groups of six each as follows: (1) control, (2) CCl₄, (3) “CCl₄ + Vit C”, (4) Vit C groups. CCl₄ was applied to rats belonging to CCl₄ and “CCl₄ + Vit C” groups subcutaneously at 1 mg kg^?1 dose CCl₄ for 3 days. Vit C applied to “CCl₄ + Vit C” and “Vit C” group rats intraperitoneally at 300 mg kg^?1 dose for 3 days. All rats were sacrificed and livers were quickly removed on the fourth day of the experiment. MDA, total glutathione (T.GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐PX) activities were measured in the liver of all groups of rats and also serum alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) activities were detected to determine liver functions in all groups of rats. Histopathological changes were evaluated by light and transmission electron microscopes. In “CCl₄ + Vit C” group, MDA level was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) and SOD, CAT, GSH‐PX activities were significantly increased (p < 0.005, 0.01, 0.05) respectively, T.GSH level was significantly increased (p < 0.005) and serum ALT and AST activities were significantly decreased (p < 0.01, 0.05), respectively, when compared with CCl₄ group. These results show that Vit C has a highly protective effect on hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress caused by CCl₄. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Protection of potato crop against Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) infestation using frass extract of two noctuid insect pests under laboratory and storage simulation conditions

The oviposition deterrent effect of water extract of Spodoptera littoralis and Agrotis ipsilon larval frass on Phthorimaea operculella adult females was studied using two types of larval food “Natural host and Semi-artificial diet” under laboratory and storage simulation (semi-field) conditions. Extracted frass of fed larvae on semi-artificial diet showed complete oviposition deterrent effect at treatments with 4th, 5th and 6th instars of S. littoralis, also at treatments with 1st–3rd and 6th instars of A. ipsilon, while the same effect was observed when the larvae fed on castor oil leaves as a natural host only at treatment with frass extract of A. ipsilon 6th instar larvae. Presence of low amounts of phenols and flavonoids in water extract of A. ipsilon larval frass resulted in relatively more effect as oviposition deterrent to fertile adult females on treated oviposition sites, while the opposite effect was obtained in S. littoralis larval frass experiments. At semi-field experiments, the percentage reduction of laid eggs reached 100% after two?days at treatments with frass extracts of 4th and 5th S. littoralis larval instars and A. ipsilon 6th instar larvae fed on semi-artificial diet and/or castor oil leaves. Percentage reduction of laid eggs for untreated sacks reached 93.24 and 48.95% after 2 and 30?days, respectively, when placed between treated sacks, in comparison with the mean number of laid eggs for isolated control.     

Dietary medicinal plant extracts improve growth, immune activity and survival of tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus

The effects of supplementing diets with acetone extract (1% w/w) from four medicinal plants (Bermuda grass Cynodon dactylon, H₁, beal Aegle marmelos, H₂, winter cherry Withania somnifera, H₃ and ginger Zingiber officinale, H₄) on growth, the non‐specific immune response and ability to resist pathogen infection in tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus were assessed. In addition, the antimicrobial properties of the extract were assessed against Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrioparahaemolyticus, Vibrio mimicus, Vibrio campbelli, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio harveyi and Photobacterium damselae. Oreochromis mossambicus were fed 5% of their body mass per day for 45 days, and those fed the experimental diets showed a greater increase in mass (111–139%) over the 45 days compared to those that received the control diet (98%). The specific growth rate of O. mossambicus fed the four diets was also significantly greater (1·66–1·93%) than control (1·52%) diet‐fed fish. The blood plasma chemistry analysis revealed that protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, glucose and triglyceride levels of experimental fish were significantly higher than that of control fish. Packed cell volume of the blood samples of experimental diet‐fed fish was also significantly higher (34·16–37·95%) than control fish (33·0%). Leucocrit value, phagocytic index and lysozyme activity were enhanced in fish fed the plant extract‐supplemented diets. The acetone extract of the plants inhibited growth of Vibrio spp. and P. damselae with extracts from W. somnifera showing maximum growth inhibition. A challenge test with V. vulnificus showed 100% mortality in O. mossambicus fed the control diet by day 15, whereas the fish fed the experimental diets registered only 63–80% mortality at the end of challenge experiment (30 days). The cumulative mortality index for the control group was 12 000, which was equated to 1·0% mortality, and accordingly, the lowest mortality of 0·35% was registered in H₄‐diet‐fed group.     

Repellent,antifeedant and toxic effects of Ageratum conyzoides (Linnaeus) (Asteraceae) extract against Helicovepra armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Repellent, antifeedant and toxic effect of crude hexane extract of Ageratum conyzoides were investigated against Helicoverpa armigera. In orientation bioassay, the extract exhibited dose-dependent repellency against neonates. Extract significantly increased the mortality and decreased growth of different larval stages when administrated orally in artificial diet. EC₅₀ value was at 0.11% for larval growth inhibition. Toxicity of the extract was manifested by high mortality of first instar larvae after 7 days of feeding on diet containing 0.05–0.4% of extract with LC₅₀ of 0.17%. Under choice bioassay, extract showed strong antifeedant activity against fifth instar larvae with DI₅₀ of 0.21%. In nutritional bioassay, extract significantly reduced RCR, RGR, ECI and ECD of fifth instar larvae with increased AD. When RGR were plotted against RCR, the growth efficiency of larvae fed on treated diet was significantly lower than the control fed larvae suggesting the antifeedant and toxic effect of extract.     

Gender Effects on Adrenergic Receptor Expression and Lipolysis in White Adipose Tissue of Rats

Objective: To investigate the effects of short‐term (15 days) cafeteria‐diet feeding on the expression of α‐ and β‐adrenergic receptors (AR) and its association with lipolytic stimulation in isolated retroperitoneal white adipocytes. Research Methods and Procedures: Six female and 6 male Wistar rats (4 weeks old) were fed a cafeteria diet plus standard diet for 15 days. The remaining 12 age‐ and sex‐matched rats received a standard diet only. White retroperitoneal adipose tissue was isolated and used for the determination of both α₂ and β‐AR expression and for in vitro studies of lipolytic activity. Results: In female control rats, we found higher lipolytic capacities located at the postreceptor level and a lower α₂/β₃‐AR ratio than male rats. Cafeteria‐diet feeding for 15 days decreased lipolytic activity in both male and female rats and altered the α_2A‐ and β₃‐AR protein levels with an increase of α_2A‐AR in males and a β₃‐AR decrease in females. Discussion: Our results indicate that a 15‐day cafeteria‐diet feeding induced an increase in the α₂/β₃‐AR balance and impaired adipose tissue lipolytic activity, which was higher in males and may contribute to the development of increased fat mass. The higher functionality of α₂‐AR, together with the minor role developed by β₃‐AR and lower lipolytic capacities located at the postreceptor level in cafeteria‐diet‐fed male rats compared with female rats, may be responsible for the gender‐dependent differences observed in this study.     

Inhibition of platelet aggregation and thrombosis by indole alkaloids isolated from the edible insect Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Kolbe)

Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Kolbe) has been temporarily registered as a food material by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea (MFDS). The current study aimed to discover small antithrombotic molecules from this edible insect. Five indole alkaloids, 5‐hydroxyindolin‐2‐one ( 1 ), (1R,3S)‐1‐methyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐β‐carboline‐3‐carboxylic acid ( 2 ), (1S,3S)‐1‐methyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐β‐carboline‐3‐carboxylic acid ( 3 ), (3S)‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐β‐carboline‐3‐carboxylic acid ( 4 ) and L‐tryptophan ( 5 ), were isolated from the insect. Among them, compounds 1 and 2 prolonged aPTT and PT and impaired thrombin and FXa generation on HUVEC surface. Moreover, these compounds inhibited platelet aggregation. Antithrombotic effects of compounds 1 and 2 were further confirmed in pre‐clinical models of pulmonary embolism and arterial thrombosis. Collectively, these results demonstrated that compounds 1 and 2 could be effective antithrombotic agents and serve as new scaffolds for the development of antithrombotic drug.     

The protective effect of silymarin on the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Silymarin, a mixture of bioactive flavonolignans from the milk thistle (Silybum marianum), is traditionally used in herbal medicine to defend against various hepatotoxic agents. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of silymarin against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury in fish. Common carp, with an average initial weight of 17.0?±?1.1 g, were fed diet containing four doses of silymarin (0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 g/kg diet) for 60 d. Fish were then given an intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄ (30% in arachis oil) at a dose of 0.5 ml/kg body weight. At 72 h after CCl₄ injection, blood and liver samples were collected for the analyses of serum biochemical parameters, liver index, peroxidation product, glutathione, and antioxidant enzyme activities. The results showed that administration of silymarin at 0.5 and 1 g/kg diet for 60 d prior to CCl₄ intoxication significantly reduced the elevated activities of glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxalate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and increased the reduced levels of total protein and albumin in the serum. The reduced levels of liver index, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, glutathione, and total antioxidant capacity were markedly increased, and malondialdehyde formation was significantly restrained in the liver. However, these parameters, except LDH, were not significantly changed in fish fed with silymarin at 0.1 g/kg diet. Based on the results, it can be concluded that silymarin has protective effect against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in fish. It is suggested that silymarin may be used as a hepatoprotective agent to prevent liver diseases in fish.     

Metabolic Implications of Dietary Trans‐fatty Acids

Dietary trans‐fatty acids are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and have been implicated in the incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It is established that high‐fat saturated diets, relative to low‐fat diets, induce adiposity and whole‐body insulin resistance. Here, we test the hypothesis that markers of an obese, prediabetic state (fatty liver, visceral fat accumulation, insulin resistance) are also worsened with provision of a low‐fat diet containing elaidic acid (18:1t), the predominant trans‐fatty acid isomer found in the human food supply. Male 8‐week‐old Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a 10% trans‐fatty acid enriched (LF‐trans) diet for 8 weeks. At baseline, 3 and 6 weeks, in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H‐MR) assessed intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) and intrahepatic lipid (IHL) content. Euglycemic–hyperinsulinemic clamps (week 8) determined whole‐body and tissue‐specific insulin sensitivity followed by high‐resolution ex vivo ¹H‐NMR to assess tissue biochemistry. Rats fed the LF‐trans diet were in positive energy balance, largely explained by increased energy intake, and showed significantly increased visceral fat and liver lipid accumulation relative to the low‐fat control diet. Net glycogen synthesis was also increased in the LF‐trans group. A reduction in glucose disposal, independent of IMCL accumulation was observed in rats fed the LF‐trans diet, whereas in rats fed a 45% saturated fat (HF‐sat) diet, impaired glucose disposal corresponded to increased IMCL_TA. Neither diet induced an increase in IMCL_soleus. These findings imply that trans‐fatty acids may alter nutrient handling in liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle and that the mechanism by which trans‐fatty acids induce insulin resistance differs from diets enriched with saturated fats.     

Effects of Bacillus thuringiensisδ-endotoxin-fed Helicoverpa armigera on the survival and development of the parasitoid Campoletis chlorideae

With the deployment of transgenic crops expressing δ‐endotoxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for pest management, there is a need to generate information on the interaction of crop pests with their natural enemies that are important for regulation of pest populations. Therefore, we studied the effects of the Bt δ‐endotoxins Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac on the survival and development of the parasitoid Campoletis chlorideae Uchida (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) reared on Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae fed on Bt toxin‐intoxicated artificial diet. The H. armigera larvae fed on artificial diet impregnated with Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac at LC₅₀ (effective concentration to kill 50% of the neonate H. armigera larvae) and ED₅₀ (effective concentration to cause a 50% reduction in larval weight) levels before and after parasitization resulted in a significant reduction in cocoon formation and adult emergence of C. chlorideae. Larval period of the parasitoid was prolonged by 2 days when fed on Bt‐intoxicated larvae. No adverse effects were observed on female fecundity. The observed effects appeared to be indirect in nature, because no Bt proteins were detected through enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in the C. chlorideae larvae, cocoons, or adults fed on Cry1Ab‐ or Cry1Ac‐treated H. armigera larvae. The effects of Bt toxin proteins on C. chlorideae were due to early mortality of H. armigera larvae, that is, before completion of parasitoid larval development.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Undaria pinnatifida</Emphasis> fucoidan extract protects against CCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>-induced oxidative stress

This study was performed to elucidate the effects of Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan extract (UPFE) in preventing CCl₄-induced oxidative stress. UPFE (100 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered to rats for 14 days. On day 15, CCl₄ dissolved in olive oil (50% CCl₄) was injected 12 h before they were anesthetized and dissected. To measure UPFE-mediated antioxidation, we examined the levels of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in liver homogenates. CCl₄ treatment markedly increased the levels of GOT, GPT, ALP, LDH, and MDA and significantly decreased levels of SOD, CAT, and GPx. UPFE pretreatment decreased levels of GOT, GPT, ALP, LDH, and MDA, by 62.8, 68.5, 41.9, 72.7, and 122%, respectively and increased those of SOD, CAT, and GPx by 111.1, 15.9, and 52.6%, respectively. These results showed that UPFE has antioxidant effects against CCl₄-induced oxidative stress.     

Nutritional evaluation of fermented black gram (Phaseolus mungo) seed meal in compound diets for rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton), fingerlings

Six isonitrogenous (approximately 35% crude protein) and isocaloric (approximately 4.0 kcal g⁻¹) diets were formulated incorporating raw and fermented black gram, Phaseolus mungo, seed meal at 20%, 30% and 40% levels by weight into a fishmeal‐based control diet fed to rohu, Labeo rohita, fingerlings (mean weight, 1.81 ± 0.21 g) for 80 days for a study of fish performance. A particular bacterial strain (Bacillus sp.) isolated from the intestine of adult common carp (Cyprinus carpio) reared in the wild having significant amylolytic, cellulolytic, lipolytic and proteolytic activities was used for fermentation of seed meal for 15 days at 37 ± 2°C. Fermentation of P. mungo seed meal was effective in significantly reducing the crude fibre content and antinutritional factors such as tannins and phytic acid, and enhancing available free amino acids and fatty acids. In terms of growth, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio, the 30% fermented black gram seed meal incorporated diet resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) better performance of rohu fingerlings. In general, growth and feed utilization efficiencies of diets containing fermented seed meal were superior to diets containing raw seed meal. The apparent protein digestibility (APD) values decreased with increasing levels of raw seed meal in the diets. The APD for raw seed meal was lower at all levels of inclusion in comparison to those for the fermented seed meals. The maximum deposition of protein in the carcass was recorded in fish fed the diet containing 40% fermented seed meal. The results indicate that fermented black gram seed meal can be incorporated in carp diets up to the 30% level compared to the 10% level of raw seed meal.     

Crocin Abrogates Carbon Tetrachloride‐Induced Renal Toxicity in Rats via Modulation of Metabolizing Enzymes and Diminution of Oxidative Stress,Apoptosis, and Inflammatory Cytokines

This work aimed at investigating the potential modulatory effects and mechanisms of crocin against CCl₄‐induced nephrotoxicity. Forty male rats were allocated for three weeks treatment with corn oil, CCl₄, crocin, or crocin plus CCl₄. Crocin effectively mitigated CCl₄‐induced kidney injury as evidenced by amelioration of alterations in kidney histopathology, renal weight/100 g body weight ratio and kidney functions. Crocin modulated CCl₄‐induced disturbance of kidney cytochrom‐P450 subfamily 2E1 and glutathione‐S‐transferase. The attenuation of crocin to kidney injury was also associated with suppression of oxidative stress via reduction of lipid peroxides along with induction of renal glutathione content and enhancement of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activities. Crocin mitigated CCl₄‐induced elevation of the renal levels of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, interleukin‐6, prostaglandin E2, and active caspases‐3. Collectively, crocin alleviated CCl₄‐induced renal damage via modulation of kidney metabolizing enzymes, suppression of oxidative stress, inhibition of inflammatory cytokines, PGE2, and active caspase3 in kidney.     

Suitability of monotypic and mixed diets for Anopheles hermsi larval development

The developmental time and survival to eclosion of Anopheles hermsi Barr & Guptavanij fed monotypic and mixed diets of ten food types were examined in laboratory studies. Larvae fed monotypic diets containing animal detritus (freeze‐dried rotifers, freeze‐dried Daphnia pulicaria, and TetraMin® fish food flakes) and the mixotrophic protistan Cryptomonas ovata developed faster and survived better than larvae that were fed other monotypic diets. Survival to adulthood of larvae fed several concentrations of the diatom Planothidium (=Achnanthes) lanceolatum was poor (<13%) and larval development time was approximately twice that of larvae fed TetraMin® fish food flakes, the standard laboratory diet. Larvae fed monotypic diets containing prokaryotes (bacteria [Bacillus cereus] and cyanobacteria [Oscillatoria prolifera]) and brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) failed to survive beyond the 1^st and 2^nd instar, respectively. Larvae fed only chlorophytes, single‐celled Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and filamentous Spirogyra communis, failed to complete larval development, regardless of the concentration tested. Cohorts fed a combination of food types (mixed diets) usually developed better than cohorts fed monotypic diets. Food types that failed to support complete development when fed alone often facilitated development to adulthood when fed in combination with food types containing >1% C₂₀ polyunsaturated fatty acids as total fat, but regardless of essential fatty acid content, algae that produced mucilage and filaments that sank out of the feeding zone were poor quality diets.     

Hepatoprotective effect of bis(4‐methylbenzoyl) diselenide against CCl4‐induced oxidative damage in mice

From a pharmacological point of view, organoseleniums are compounds with important and interesting antioxidant and biological activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of bis(4‐methylbenzoyl) diselenide (BMD) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)–induced oxidative damage in mice. The animals received BMD (25 mg/kg p.o., for 3 days), and after 1 day, CCl₄ (1 mg/kg body weight) was administered by intraperitoneal route. One day after the CCl₄ exposure, the animals were euthanized for biochemical and histological analysis. Treatment with BMD (25 mg/kg p.o.) protected against aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma‐glutamyl transferase and lactate dehydrogenase activity increases induced by CCl₄ plasma exposure. Treatment with BMD (25 mg/kg) protected against increases in thiobarbituric reactive species and decreasing non‐protein thiols and ascorbic acid levels in liver of mice. Catalase and superoxide dismutase activity inhibition in the liver caused by CCl₄ were protected by treatment with BMD (25 mg/kg). Glutathione S‐transferase activity was inhibited by CCl₄ and remained unaltered even after treatment with BMD. Sections of liver from CCl₄‐exposed mice presented an intense infiltration of inflammatory cells and loss of the cellular architecture. BMD (25 mg/kg) attenuated CCl₄‐induced hepatic histological alterations. The results demonstrated the hepatoprotective effects of BMD in the mouse liver, possibly by modulating the antioxidant status. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of plant secondary metabolites on common cutworm,Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The effect of various flavonoids, lectins and phenyl β‐_D‐glucoside on larval survival, weights and the activities of digestive (total serine protease and trypsin) and detoxifying (esterase and glutathione‐S‐transferase) enzymes of Spodoptera litura larvae at 7 days after treatment was studied through diet incorporation assay. Flavonoids (rutin, chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, caffeic acid, naringenin, quercitin, kaempferol, myricetin, catechin, and ferulic acid) were incorporated in artificial diet at 100, 500 and 1000 ppm, lectins: groundnut leaf lectin (GLL), concavalin A (ConA) and phenyl β‐_D‐glucoside at 1, 2 and 5 μg/mL. Flavonoids such as rutin, quercitin and kaempferol at 1000 ppm were more toxic to S. litura larvae than quinic acid, caffeic acid, naringenin, myricetin, catechin, and ferulic acid. Larval growth and development were significantly reduced in S. litura larvae fed on a diet with GLL and ConA at 5 μg/mL compared to the larvae fed at 2 and 1 μg/mL concentrations. The larvae fed on flavonoid‐treated diets showed significant reduction in serine protease, trypsin and esterase activities. The flavonoids such as rutin, chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, naringenin, quercitin, kaempferol and myricetin, and lectins, GLL and ConA can be utilized in insect control programs.