Acacidiol,a new nor-triterpene from the sapogenins of Acacia concinna

From the neutral fraction of the acid hydrolysate of the saponin of Acacia concinna pods, acacic acid lactone 3β-acetate and a new nor-triterpene ‘acacidiol’ have been isolated. The latter is shown to be 28-noroleana-16,18-diene-3β,21β-diol.     

Insecticidal activities of two fig tree leaf extracts against the cotton pest Spodoptera litura (Fab.) and their impact on the non-target red worm Eisenia foetida (Savigny)

Extracts of botanical origin naturally contain a complex mixture of chemicals considered effective in managing lepidopteran pests. Chemical screening of the ethanolic leaf extracts of two fig tree species, Ficus lyrata and Ficus auriculata, delivered 12 and 15 phyto-compounds with relatively high peak area percentages in phytol and flavone, respectively. Larvicidal activity against Spodoptera litura yielded higher mortality rates at maximum-concentration treatment (600 ppm) with Ficus lyrata (91.3%) and Ficus auriculata (98.5%) extracts during the second instar. Sub-lethal dosages (300 ppm) of both Ficus lyrata and Ficus auriculata extracts impeded the development and reproduction of lepidopteran pests. The enzyme-inhibition activity of both fig extracts elicited a significant reduction in the major digestive enzymes alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase dose-responsively. Mid-gut histological screening of Ficus lyrata and Ficus auriculata extracts displayed gut lumen disruptions, shape alterations of columnar cells, and brush-border membrane damage. Further, the non-target toxicity of fig extracts against the red worm Eisenia foetida was minimal compared with that of the chemical temephos. Overall, the Ficus extracts proved to be eco-friendly strategies for managing the polyphagous pest Spodoptera litura and are potentially more sustainable and less harmful to non-target earthworms. Nonetheless, in silico predictions suggest that the active compounds in fig extracts are predominantly toxic against honeybees (16 compounds) and violate TICE rules (10 compounds). Therefore, the biological actions of fig extracts' individual novel chemistries need to be examined on target and non-target species to develop better pest management strategies.     

Constitutional mismatch repair deficiency syndrome: Do we know it?

Constitutional mismatch repair deficiency syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive syndrome caused by homozygous mutations in mismatch repair genes. This is characterized by the childhood onset of brain tumors, colorectal cancers, cutaneous manifestations of neurofibromatosis-1 like café au lait spots, hematological malignancies, and occasionally other rare malignancies. Here, we would like to present a family in which the sibling had glioblastoma, and the present case had acute lymphoblastic lymphoma and colorectal cancer. We would like to present this case because of its rarity and would add to literature.