The secretagogue effect of the poison from Centruroides limpidus limpidus on the pancreas of mice and the antagonistic action of the Bouvardia ternifolia extract

In Mexican traditional medicine the plant species Bouvardia ternifolia is used as remedy to treat patients who have been stung by scorpions. In the preceding study, the methanol extract from the roots of this plant was capable of reducing the poisonous effect of Centruroides limpidus limpidus on mice. The poisoning from scorpion C. limpidus limpidus includes manifestations associated with the pancreatitis. This study evaluated the effect produced by the hexane and methanol extract from the root of B. ternifolia upon the acutely inflamed pancreas induced by the venom of C. limpidus limpidus on rats, and the release of amylase in the isolated pancreas of mice. The intravenous administration of venom induced the extravasation of labelled albumin, in a dose dependant manner. The pre-administration of both extracts of Bouvardia ternifolia reduced significantly (p < 0.05) the extravasation by 60%. Upon measuring the secretagogue effect of the venom in the isolated pancreas of mice, the EC50 of the venom was 3.76 x 10(-3) mg ml(-1), whilst in the presence of the methanol and hexane extracts, this EC50 was 9.13 x 10(-3) mg ml(-1) and 0.01629 mg ml(-1). In conclusion, the C. limpidus limpidus venom possesses a secretagogue effect of amylase on the pancreas of mice and produces an inflamed pancreas which is effectively antagonised by the hexane and methanol extracts from the roots of B. ternifolia.     

Viper and cobra venom neutralization by β-sitosterol and stigmasterol isolated from the root extract of Pluchea indica Less. (Asteraceae)

We reported previously that the methanolic root extract of the Indian medicinal plant Pluchea indica Less. (Asteraceae) could neutralize viper venom-induced action [Alam, M.I., Auddy, B., Gomes, A., 1996. Viper venom neutralization by Indian medicinal plant (Hemidesmus indicus and P. indica) root extracts. Phytother. Res. 10, 58-61]. The present study reports the neutralization of viper and cobra venom by beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol isolated from the root extract of P. indica Less. (Asteraceae). The active fraction (containing the major compound beta-sitosterol and the minor compound stigmasterol) was isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography and the structure was determined using spectroscopic analysis (EIMS, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR). Anti-snake venom activity was studied in experimental animals. The active fraction was found to significantly neutralize viper venom-induced lethal, hemorrhagic, defibrinogenation, edema and PLA(2) activity. Cobra venom-induced lethality, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity, respiratory changes and PLA(2) activity were also antagonized by the active component. It potentiated commercial snake venom antiserum action against venom-induced lethality in male albino mice. The active fraction could antagonize venom-induced changes in lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase activity. This study suggests that beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol may play an important role, along with antiserum, in neutralizing snake venom-induced actions.     

Isolation and characterization of two toxins from the Mexican scorpion Centruroides limpidus limpidus Karsch

1. Several toxic polypeptides were found in the venom of the scorpion Centruroides limpidus limpidus. Comparative studies of the potency of the venom in different strains of mice were conducted. 2. A new type of toxin (component II.9), specific for crustaceans (crayfish and isopods), was isolated from this scorpion and was shown to have the following N-terminal amino acid sequence: Lys-Lys-Asp-Gly-Tyr-Leu-Val-Asn-Lys-Tyr-Thr-Gly-Cys-Lys-Val-Asn-Cys- Tyr-Lys-Leu-Gly-Glu-Asn-Lys-Phe-Cys-Asn-Arg-Glu-. 3. A polypeptide toxic to mice (component II.6) from this venom was shown to have the following N-terminal sequence: Lys-Glu-Gly-Tyr-Leu-Val-Asn-His-Ser-Thr-Gly-Cys-Lys-Tyr- Glu-Cys-Tyr-Lys-Leu-Gly-Asp-Asn-Asp-Tyr-Cys-Leu-Arg-Glu-Cys-Lys-. 4. In cultured chick dorsal root ganglion cells, 1 microM of toxin II.6 was shown to reduce the size of sodium currents and to slow-down their activation-inactivation kinetics. The toxin had also a depressive action on the classical Ca2+ current activated at high membrane potentials (greater than 0 mV).     

Amino acid sequence and immunological characterization with monoclonal antibodies of two toxins from the venom of the scorpion Centruroides noxius Hoffmann.

Two toxins, which we propose to call toxins 2 and 3, were purified to homogeneity from the venom of the scorpion Centruroides noxius Hoffmann. The full primary structures of both peptides (66 amino acid residues each) was determined. Sequence comparison indicates that the two new toxins display 79% identity and present a high similarity to previously characterized Centruroides toxins, the most similar toxins being Centruroides suffusus toxin 2 and Centruroides limpidus tecomanus toxin 1. Six monoclonal antibodies (mAb) directed against purified fraction II-9.2 (which contains toxins 2 and 3) were isolated in order to carry out the immunochemical characterization of these toxins. mAb BCF2, BCF3, BCF7 and BCF9 reacted only with toxin 2, whereas BCF1 and BCF8 reacted with both toxins 2 and 3 with the same affinity. Simultaneous binding of mAb pairs to the toxin and cross-reactivity of the venoms of different scorpions with the mAb were examined. The results of these experiments showed that the mAb define four different epitopes (A-D). Epitope A (BCF8) is topographically unrelated to epitopes B (BCF2 and BCF7), C (BCF3) and D (BCF9) but the latter three appear to be more closely related or in close proximity to each other. Epitope A was found in all Centruroides venoms tested as well as on four different purified toxins of C. noxius, and thus seems to correspond to a highly conserved structure. Based on the cross-reactivity of their venoms with the mAb, Centruroides species could be classified in the following order: Centruroides elegans, Centruroides suffusus suffusus = Centruroides infamatus infamatus, Centruroides limpidus tecomanus, Centruroides limpidus limpidus, and Centruroides limpidus acatlanensis, according to increasing immunochemical relatedness of their toxins to those of Centruroides noxius. All six mAb inhibited the binding of toxin 2 to rat brain synaptosomal membranes, but only mAb BCF2, which belongs to the IgG2a subclass, displayed a clear neutralizing activity in vivo.     

Evaluation of the effect of aqueous extract of Croton urucurana Baillon (Euphorbiaceae) on the hemorrhagic activity induced by the venom of Bothrops jararaca, using new techniques to quantify hemorrhagic activity in rat skin

Aqueous extracts of Croton urucurana (Sangra D'agua), a plant popularly considered a cicatrizant, were analyzed for anti-Bothrops jararaca venom activity. The plant extracts antagonized the hemorrhagic activity of the venom and proanthocyanidins were involved in this activity. Two new methods for the quantification of hemorrhagic activity evoked by bothropic venoms were employed. The first consists of graphic computer analysis of the hemorrhagic halo evoked in rats by dorsal intradermic administration of venom. The second method involves quantification of the hemoglobin present in the hemorrhagic halo. Based on the results, we suggest that these methods, easily implemented in the laboratory routine, allow for quantification of venom-induced hemorrhagic activity. In addition, this study demonstrates that the rich extracts of proanthocyanidins are powerful inhibitors of bothropic venom metalloproteinases.     

The hedgehog-related gene wrt-5 is essential for hypodermal development in Caenorhabditis elegans

The Caenorhabditis elegans genome encodes a series of hedgehog-related genes, which are thought to have evolved and diverged from an ancestral Hh gene. They are classified into several families based on their N-terminal domains. Here, we analyze the expression and function of a member of the warthog gene family, wrt-5, that lacks the Hint/Hog domain. wrt-5 is expressed in seam cells, the pharynx, pharyngeal-intestinal valve cells, neurons, neuronal support cells, the excretory cell, and the reproductive system. WRT-5 protein is secreted into the extracellular space during embryogenesis. Furthermore, during larval development, WRT-5 protein is secreted into the pharyngeal lumen and the pharyngeal expression changes in a cyclical manner in phase with the molting cycle. Deletion mutations in wrt-5 cause embryonic lethality, which are temperature sensitive and more severe at 15 degrees C than at 25 degrees C. Animals that hatch exhibit variable abnormal morphology, for example, bagging worms, blistering, molting defects, or Roller phenotypes. We examined hypodermal cell junctions using the AJM-1Colon, two colonsGFP marker in the wrt-5 mutant background and observed cell boundary abnormalities in the arrested embryos. AJM-1Colon, two colonsGFP protein is also misplaced in pharyngeal muscle cells in the absence of WRT-5. In conclusion, we show that wrt-5 is an essential gene that - despite its lack of a Hint domain - has multiple functions in C. elegans and is implicated in cell shape integrity.     

3-hydroxypropionic acid as a nematicidal principle in endophytic fungi

3- Hydroxypropionic acid was isolated by bioactivity-guided fractionation of extracts obtained from submerged cultures of several endophytic fungi isolated from above-ground plant organs. This compound showed selective nematicidal activity against the plant-parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita with LD50 values of 12.5-15 microg/ml. Activity against the saprophytic Caenorhabditis elegans was fivefold lower. No antimicrobial, cytotoxic or phytotoxic effects were observed. Propionic acid and D- and L-lactic acids were not active against either nematode species. Based on morphological features and ITS, 18S and 28S rDNA analyses, the producing strains were identified as Phomopsis phaseoli isolated from the leaf of a tropical tree, and four strains of Melanconium betulinum isolated from twigs of Betula pendula and B. pubescens in Germany. This is the first report of 3-hydroxypropionic acid in fungi, and of the nematicidal activity of this metabolite.     

Non-protein amino acids of Bocoa (Leguminosae; Papilionoideae).

The non-protein amino acids of the legume genus Bocoa (Papilionoideae; Swartzieae) were surveyed by LC-MS and GC-MS using extracts of herbarium leaf fragments. Bocoa alterna (Benth.) R.S. Cowan, B. decipiens R.S. Cowan, B. limae R.S. Cowan, B. mollis (Benth.) R.S. Cowan and B. racemulosa (Huber) R.S. Cowan were found to contain 2,4-methanoproline, 2,4-methanoglutamic acid, cis-1-amino-3-hydroxymethyl-cyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid and delta-N-acetylornithine. The former three compounds have otherwise only been reported from Ateleia and Cyathostegia and, therefore, the results support the relationship with these genera found in recent phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data. In contrast, Bocoa viridiflora (Ducke) R.S. Cowan was found to contain trans-5-hydroxypipecolic acid and trans-4-cis-5-dihydroxypipecolic acid, while trans-4-hydroxypipecolic acid and an unidentified compound were the major non-protein amino acids in B. prouacensis Aublet. The non-protein amino acid chemistry of these two species was therefore more similar to a representative of Swartzia examined, S. macrosema Harms, which also contained mono- and dihydroxypipecolic acids. The monotypic Candolleodendron brachystachyum (DC.) R.S. Cowan, considered related to Bocoa, accumulated trans-5-hydroxypipecolic acid. LC-MS data on flavonoids obtained from four of the extracts revealed the presence of flavone C-glycosides in B. viridiflora and B. prouacensis but only flavonoid O-glycosides in B. alterna and B. mollis. The chemical division of Bocoa concurs with studies of other character types and recent molecular phylogenies.     

A novel class of peptide found in scorpion venom with neurodepressant effects in peripheral and central nervous system of the rat

A novel toxin, named Cll9, was isolated from the venom of the scorpion Centruroides limpidus limpidus Karsch. It is composed of 63 amino acid residues closely packed by four disulfide bridges. It showed no apparent effect when injected to insects, crustaceans and i.p. to mice. However, when i.c.v. injected in the rat it immediately induced sleep, suggesting that it has a neurodepressant effect. We confirmed this by showing that it has a strong antiepileptic action, as assessed with the penicillin focus model. Its effectiveness in inhibiting Na(+) permeability in (cultured) rat peripheral ganglia further supports its neurodepressant actions. However, this peptide did not affect other Na(+) channels such as those from cerebellum granular cells in culture or the rSkM1 Na(+) channels expressed in HEK293. The cDNA and genomic regions encoding this peptide were cloned and sequenced. This peptide is synthesized as a precursor of 84 amino acid residues and processed by removing 19 amino acids (signal peptide) from the amino terminal region and a couple of lysine residues from the carboxyl end. The presence of an intron of 777 bases interrupting the region encoding the signal peptide was also revealed. A comparison of its primary sequence, with more than 100 scorpion toxins known, showed that together with toxin CsE9 they constitute a new subfamily of peptides considered to be one of the most divergent groups of scorpion toxin-like peptides discovered.     

Screening of plant extracts for antimicrobial activity against bacteria and yeasts with dermatological relevance

There is cumulative resistance against antibiotics of many bacteria. Therefore, the development of new antiseptics and antimicrobial agents for the treatment of skin infections is of increasing interest. We have screened six plant extracts and isolated compounds for antimicrobial effects on bacteria and yeasts with dermatological relevance. The following plant extracts have been tested: Gentiana lutea, Harpagophytum procumbens, Boswellia serrata (dry extracts), Usnea barbata, Rosmarinus officinalis and Salvia officinalis (supercritical carbon dioxide [CO2] extracts). Additionally, the following characteristic plant substances were tested: usnic acid, carnosol, carnosic acid, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, harpagoside, boswellic acid and gentiopicroside. The extracts and compounds were tested against 29 aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and yeasts in the agar dilution test. U. barbata-extract and usnic acid were the most active compounds, especially in anaerobic bacteria. Usnea CO2-extract effectively inhibited the growth of several Gram-positive bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant strains - MRSA), Propionibacterium acnes and Corynebacterium species. Growth of the dimorphic yeast Malassezia furfur was also inhibited by Usnea-extract. Besides the Usnea-extract, Rosmarinus-, Salvia-, Boswellia- and Harpagophytum-extracts proved to be effective against a panel of bacteria. It is concluded that due to their antimicrobial effects some of the plant extracts may be used for the topical treatment of skin disorders like acne vulgaris and seborrhoic eczema.     

Actions of glutamate and ivermectin on the pharyngeal muscle of Ascaridia galli: a comparative study with Caenorhabditis elegans

The actions of glutamate and ivermectin were examined in the pharynx of Ascaridia galli and the results compared with those on the pharynx of Caenorhabditis elegans. In both preparations glutamate elicits a depolarization and inhibition of pharyngeal pumping, but the response of the pharynx of A. galli was much less than for C. elegans. This may be either because the pharyngeal membrane potential of the former is closely linked to the equilibrium potential for chloride ions (E(Cl)) while that of C. elegans is independent of E(Cl), or that there is a lower density of glutamate receptors on the pharyngeal muscle of A. galli compared with C. elegans. The maximum depolarization to glutamate of the pharyngeal muscle was 4.5+/-0.8 mV in A. galli while it was >25 mV in C. elegans. Picrotoxin was a weak antagonist of the glutamate response in both species. Flufenamic acid, pentobarbitone and flurazepam had no significant effect on either preparation at concentrations up to 100 microM. Three glutamate receptor agonists, ibotenate, kainate and quisqualate were all more potent than glutamate on the A. galli pharyngeal muscle. In contrast, only ibotenate was more potent than glutamate in C. elegans pharynx, the other two agonists being approximately 20 times less potent. The potency of ivermectin differed markedly between the two species, being approximately three orders of magnitude less potent on the pharynx of A. galli compared with C. elegans. This study demonstrates clear differences between the properties of the pharyngeal muscle of the two species and shows that care must be taken when extrapolating data from free-living to parasitic species of nematode.     

Preliminary studies of Mammea americana L. (Guttiferae) bark/latex extract point to an effective antiulcer effect on gastric ulcer models in mice

Plant extracts are some of the most attractive sources of new drugs and have shown promising results for the treatment of gastric ulcers. Several folk medicinal plants and herbs have been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, including gastric ulcers. Mammea americana L. (Guttiferae) fruit is very common in the diet of the population of northern South America. Our research interest in this plant arose because of its potential medicinal value as a tonic and against stomachache, as used in folk medicine. In this paper we evaluated three different extracts (ethanolic/EtOH, methanolic/MeOH and dichloromethane/DCM) obtained from M. americana L., for their ability to protect the gastric mucosa against injuries caused by necrotizing agents (0.3 M HCl/60% EtOH), hypothermic restraint stress, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID, indomethacin) and pylorus ligation. In the HCl/EtOH-induced gastric-ulcer model, EtOH and DCM extracts demonstrated significant inhibition of the ulcerative lesion index by 54% (12.0 +/- 2.6 mm) and 86% (3.7 +/- 1.8 mm), respectively, in relation to the control value (26.0 +/- 1.4 mm) (p<0.0001). In the NSAID/cholinomimetic-induced lesion model, both EtOH and DCM extracts showed antiulcerogenic effects with significant reduction in the damage to these gastric lesions of 36% (8.3 +/- 2.0 mm) and 42% (7.5 +/- 1.4 mm), respectively, as compared to the control group (13.0 +/- 0.9 mm) (p<0.0001). In the gastric ulcer induced by hypothermic-restraint stress, both extracts also showed significant activity, and inhibited the gastric lesion index by 58% and 75%, respectively. The EtOH and DCM extracts also changed gastric juice parameters as well as those of cimetidine, decreased gastric acid secretion significantly (p<0.0001), increased pH values and promoted reduced acid output (p<0.0001). In all gastric-ulcer-induced models, MeOH extract did not show any significant antiulcerogenic activity, nor did it change gastric-juice parameters (p>0.05). The results suggest that EtOH and DCM extracts obtained from M. americana possess excellent antisecretory and/or gastrotective effect in all gastric ulcer models. These results suggest that the antiulcerogenic compound(s) present in M. americana may be clustered in the apolar fraction, which will be investigated by our group for the probable mechanisms of action.     

Nematicidal activity of Okinawa Island plants on the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood

In order to develop biological control methods that are effective against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) chitwood, the activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of wild plant species distributed on Okinawa Island on the viability and mobility of second stage M. incognita juveniles (J2s) was evaluated. Eleven of the 29 extracts immobilized at least half of the J2 stage nematodes in an in vitro assay. Aqueous extracts of Bidens pilosa L. var. radiata Scherff, Hydrocotyle dichondroides Makino, Oxalis corymbosa DC., Oxalis corniculata L., and Stenactis annus (L.) Cass gave 90% or better immobilization activity. Among these, B. pilosa var. radiata had the highest activity. Significant immobilization, lethality, repellence and egg hatching inhibition were observed with extracts from each B. pilosa plant part, but especially from leaves. The effects of plant extracts on the mobility of M. incognita were higher than on the free-living nematode Panagrolaimus sp., suggesting that M. incognita could be suppressed using B. pilosa extracts without significantly affecting beneficial nematodes.     

Kunitz-type protease inhibitors from acrorhagi of three species of sea anemones

Sea anemones are rich in biologically active polypeptides such as toxins and protease inhibitors. These polypeptides have so far been isolated from whole bodies, tentacles or secreted mucus. Recently, two novel peptide toxins with crab lethality have been isolated from acrorhagi (specialized aggressive organs elaborated by only certain species of sea anemones belonging to the family Actiniidae) of Actinia equina. This prompted us to survey biologically active polypeptides in the acrorhagi of two species of sea anemones, Anthopleura aff. xanthogrammica and Anthopleura fuscoviridis. No potent crab lethality was displayed by the acrorhagial extracts of both species. However, significantly high protease inhibitory activity was instead detected in the acrorhagial extracts of the two species and also in that of A. equina. From the acrorhagi of A. equina, A. aff. xanthogrammica and A. fuscoviridis, one (AEAPI), one (AXAPI) and two (AFAPI-I and AFAPI-III) protease inhibitors were isolated, respectively. The complete amino acid sequences of the four inhibitors were elucidated by N-terminal sequencing and sequencing of the C-terminal peptide fragment produced upon asparaginylendopeptidase digestion. The determined amino acid sequences revealed that all the four inhibitors are new members of the Kunitz-type protease inhibitor family.     

Antibacterial efficacy of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) an indigenous medicinal plant against experimental murine salmonellosis

In the present study, we evaluated the antibacterial activity of ashwagandha [Withania somnifera L. Dunal (Solanaceae; root and leaves)], an Indian traditional medicinal plant against pathogenic bacteria. Both aqueous as well as alcoholic extracts of the plant (root as well as leaves) were found to possess strong antibacterial activity against a range of bacteria, as revealed by in vitro Agar Well Diffusion Method. The methanolic extract was further subfractionated using various solvents and the butanolic sub-fraction was found to possess maximum inhibitory activity against a spectrum of bacteria including Salmonella typhimurium. Moreover, in contrast to the synthetic antibiotic (viz. chloramphenicol), these extracts did not induce lysis on incubation with human erythrocytes, advocating their safety to the living cells. Finally, the antibacterial efficacy of the extracts isolated from plant (both root and leaves) was determined against experimental salmonellosis in Balb/C mice. Oral administration of the aqueous extracts successfully obliterated salmonella infection in Balb/C mice as revealed by increased survival rate as well as less bacterial load in various vital organs of the treated animals.     

A mammal toxin derived from the venom of a chactoid scorpion

1. It has been shown that the low toxicity to mammals (LD50 of about 200 mg per kg mice body weight) of the chactoid scorpion venom Scorpio maurus palmatus (Scorpionidae) is due to a single low molecular weight basic protein. 2. This compound was purified by the aid of gel filtration and ion exchange column chromatography, possessed about 80% of the mice lethality of the crude venom with an increase of about 60 fold in its specific toxicity. 3. It is composed of 32 amino acids (mol. wt = 3478) and devoid of isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, histidine and tryptophan. 4. The unique amino acid composition of the present toxin is compared to those of the well known buthoid scorpion venom mammal toxins and some other toxins derived from the same venom. 5. It is the first chemically characterized chactoid toxin.     

The complete amino acid sequence of toxin TsTX-VI isolated from the venom of the scorpion Tityus serrulatus

The complete sequence of the toxin TsTX-VI from the venom of the scorpionTityus serrulatus Lutz and Mello is presented. The sequence has been determined by automated Edman analysis of the reduced and carboxymethylated protein as well as of the resulting peptides, obtained fromS. aureus protease and tryptic digestions. TsTX-VI is composed of 62 residues and has a calculated molecular weight of 6717. Homology studies with other scorpion toxins show that TsTX-VI is more similar to the Old World than to the North American scorpion toxins. The hydropathic index indicates that TsTX-VI is more hydrophobic than Ts-. Toxicity studies carried out in mice demonstrate that i.v. injection of TsTX-VI is unable to evoke the usual symptoms induced by the typical neurotoxins of this venom, but only a generalized allergic reaction. These properties are important in clarifying the relationship between primary structure and biological function of scorpion toxins.     

Scorpion venom increases mRNA expression of lung cytokines

Previous studies have demonstrated that scorpion toxins increase the serum levels of IL-1, IL-6, INF-gamma, and GM-CSF in patients with severe shock and pulmonary edema. Moreover, it has been shown that experimental models of scorpion envenomation presented an increase in serum levels of IL-1, IL-6, IFN-gamma and nitric oxide. Thus, it is possible that the cytokine release may contribute to the onset and maintenance of the pulmonary edema induced by scorpion venom. This study was designed to investigate whether inflammatory and non-inflammatory cytokines, contribute to the pulmonary injury induced by infusion of Tityus serrulatus scorpion toxin in rats. We show that scorpion venom not only increases the expression of mRNA pulmonary inflammatory cytokines but also non-inflammatory cytokines as well. Moreover, the expression of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 mRNA was shown to be higher among the remaining detectable cytokines. The findings of this study provide additional insight towards the understanding of the pathophysiology of the pulmonary edema induced by scorpion venom. The increased level of pulmonary cytokines observed during the pulmonary edema may be responsible for the exacerbation and maintenance of the inflammatory response to scorpion venom in the lungs.     

爵床的甲醇提取物对小菜蛾的生物活性作用

为探明爵床(Justicia procumbens)甲醇提取物对小菜蛾的生物活性,采用室内生测法测定了爵床甲醇提取物对小菜蛾的触杀、拒食、胃毒、生长发育抑制和产卵忌避作用。结果表明,爵床甲醇提取物对小菜蛾幼虫具有较强的触杀、拒食、胃毒和生长发育抑制活性,对小菜蛾成虫具有较强的产卵忌避活性。在触杀试验中,药后1、2 d和3 d爵床甲醇提取物对小菜蛾3龄幼虫的致死中浓度(LC50)分别为5.17、4.05和3.06 mg/m L;在拒食试验中,药后1 d和2 d提取物对3龄幼虫的选择性拒食中浓度(AFC50)分别为2.64和3.13 mg/m L,药后1 d和2 d提取物对3龄幼虫的非选择性拒食中浓度(AFC50)分别为3.70、4.54 mg/m L;在胃毒试验中,药后4、5、6 d和7 d提取物对3龄幼虫的致死中浓度(LC50)分别为8.13、3.65、2.88、2.23 mg/m L;在生长发育抑制试验中,药后1 d和2 d提取物对3龄幼虫的抑制中浓度(IC50)分别为2.02、1.40 mg/m L;在产卵忌避试验中,药后1、2 d和3 d提取物对小菜蛾成虫的选择性产卵忌避中浓度(AOC50)分别为2.61、3.66、4.58 mg/m L,药后1、2和3 d提取物对小菜蛾成虫的非选择性产卵忌避中浓度(AOC50)分别为3.19、4.52、5.65 mg/m L。由此证实,爵床提取物对小菜蛾具有显著的毒杀活性,具有开发为新型高效、低毒植物源农药的潜在价值。