Larvicidal and adulticidal activity of essential oils from plants of the Lamiaceae family against the West Nile virus vector,Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)

Culex pipiens mosquitoes are the most widely distributed primary vector of the West Nile virus worldwide. Many attempts for investigation of botanical pesticides to avoid the development of pesticide resistance to conventional synthetic pesticides that are recognized as a threat to the diversity of ecosystems. The study aimed to determine the components of three essential oils of Lamiaceae family, lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. Furthermore, aimed to validate the insecticidal activities of these oils as larvicidal agents against the third instar larvae of Culex pipiens using five different concentrations (62.5, 125, 250, 500, and 1000 ppm) for each oil in five replicates and as an adulticidal agent against approximately three-day-old female adults of Cx. Pipiens using 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 5% concentrations in three replicates. The results generally showed a dose-related response. At 1000 ppm, rosemary oil showed the highest larvicidal (100%) (LC₅₀, 214.97 ppm), followed by peppermint oil (92.00% mortality and LC₅₀ (269.35 ppm). Lavender oil showed the lowest efficacy with 87.20% mortality and LC₅₀ (301.11 ppm). At 5% oil concentration, the highest knockdown rate at 1 h was recorded for lavender oil (95.55%), followed by peppermint oil (88.89%) and lastly rosemary oil (84.44%). After 24 h, rosemary oil showed the lowest adult mortality rate (88.89%; LC₅₀, 1.44%), while lavender and peppermint oils both showed a 100% mortality rate, with (LC₅₀, 0.81% and 0.91%, respectively). The chemical constituents of the oils consisted of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes that determined their insecticidal activities against the target insect stage. The study proposed that rosemary essential oil may be useful for the control of Cx. pipiens larvae as part of an integrated water treatment strategy, and lavender and peppermint oils may be used in an integrated plan for adult’s control.     

Influence of olive and rosemary leaves extracts on chemically induced liver cirrhosis in male rats

The current study was undertaken to evaluate the protective activity of olive and rosemary leaves extracts on experimental liver cirrhosis induced by thioacetamide (TAA) in Wistar male rats. Highly significant decline in the values of body weight gain and highly statistically increase of liver/body weight ratio were noted in rats treated with TAA. Furthermore, the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin were statistically increased. Additionally, light microscopic examination of liver sections from rats treated with TAA showed a marked increase in the extracellular matrix collagen content and bridging fibrosis was prominent. There were bundles of collagen surrounding the lobules that resulted in large fibrous septa and distorted tissue architecture. Interestingly, the findings of this experimental study indicated that the extracts of olive and rosemary leaves and their combination possess hepatoprotective properties against TAA-induced hepatic cirrhosis by inhibiting the physiological and histopathological alterations. Moreover, these results suggest that the hepatoprotective effects of these extracts may be attributed to their antioxidant activities.     

Comparative bioactivity of selected extracts from Meliaceae and some commercial botanical insecticides against two noctuid caterpillars, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoplusia ni</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudaletia unipuncta</Emphasis>

Plant-derived extracts and phytochemicals have long been a subject of research in an effort to develop alternatives to conventional insecticides but with reduced health and environmental impacts. In this review we compare the bioactivities of some plant extracts with those of commercially available botanical insecticides against two important agricultural pests, the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni and the armyworm, Pseudaletia unipuncta. Test materials included extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem), A. excelsa (sentang), Melia volkensii, M. azedarach (Chinaberry) and Trichilia americana, (all belonging to the family Meliaceae) along with commercial botanical insecticides ryania, pyrethrum, rotenone and essential oils of rosemary and clove leaf. Most of the extracts and botanicals tested proved to be strong growth inhibitors, contact toxins and significant feeding deterrents to both lepidopteran species. However, there were interspecific differences with T. ni generally more susceptible to the botanicals than the armyworm, P. unipuncta. All botanicals were more inhibitory to growth and toxic (through feeding) to T. ni than to P. unipuncta, except for M. azedarach which was more toxic to P. unipuncta than to T. ni. Athough, pyrethrum was the most toxic botanical to both noctuids, A. indica, A. excelsa, and M. volkensii were more toxic than ryania, rotenone, clove oil and rosemary oil for T. ni. As feeding deterrents, pyrethrum was the most potent against T. ni, whereas A. indica was the most potent against the armyworm. Based upon growth inhibition, chronic toxicity, and antifeedant activity, some of these plant extracts have levels of activity that compare favorably to botanical products currently in commercial use and have potential for development as commercial insecticides.     

Antioxidant effect of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) on boar epididymal spermatozoa during cryopreservation

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the ability of rosemary to protect epididymal boar spermatozoa from freeze-thaw damage. Testis from eight boars were collected at the slaughterhouse in two trials. In the laboratory, sperm from epididymis were recovered by flushing and cryopreserved in lactose-egg yolk solution supplemented with various concentrations (low; medium; high) of rosemary. After thawing, total motility, viability, acrosome integrity, response to hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST) and malonaldehide (MDA) concentration were assessed. The results showed that there was an increase in motility at 1, 2 and 3 h in the presence of rosemary. The addition of this herb provided a significant beneficial effect on viability at 2 h of incubation, compared to the control group. Conversely, acrosome status was not affected by any extender. Higher concentration of rosemary produced significant improvement in percentages of positive HOST at 0 and 1 h, whereas no impact was observed at the end of incubation. Considering membrane lipid peroxidation, a greater decrease in MDA production was observed when rosemary content was raised. Rosemary-enriched freezing extender improved the post-thaw epididymis boar spermatozoa quality, showing a significant correlation between rosemary concentration and concentration of MDA. Further studies are needed to define the active component in rosemary that prevents peroxidation.     

Plant coexistence alters terpene emission and content of Mediterranean species

There is evidence that secondary metabolism may modulate plant interactions and is modified by different biotic stress agents, such as herbivores or pathogens. However, it is poorly understood whether secondary metabolism is altered during competition among plants. The intraspecific and interspecific coexistence of some Mediterranean potted seedlings, namely Rosmarinus officinalis, Pinus halepensis, Cistus albidus and Quercus coccifera was investigated through their terpene accumulation within leaves (except for Q. coccifera, a non-storing species) and terpene emissions (for all species). Competition had both positive and negative effects for both terpene emissions and content, depending on the species a seedling coexisted with. For R. officinalis, terpene concentrations (1.8-cineole and camphor) and terpene emissions (camphene, camphor and overall monoterpenes) were lower when the neighbour species was P. halepensis. For C. albidus, no changes were observed in its content, while the overall sesquiterpene emissions (70% of total emissions) were reduced in all competition conditions, except in intraspecific competition. In the case of P. halepensis, the highest terpene content occurred when it grew with C. albidus, and in intraspecific competition, while its emissions were reduced under these conditions. Only emissions of Q. coccifera showed no significant changes in the different competition treatments.     

Allelopathic effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratiola ericoides</Emphasis> (Empetraceae) on germination and survival of six Florida scrub species

Allelopathic inhibition of germination by Florida scrub plants has been demonstrated in the greenhouse and lab, but not in the field. We studied the allelopathic effects of Florida rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides) roots, leaves, and litter leachates on field germination and three-month survival of six Florida scrub species, three habitat generalists (Lechea deckertii, Palafoxia feayi, and Polygonella robusta), and three rosemary scrub specialists (Hypericum cumulicola, Lechea cernua, and Polygonella basiramia). We used AIC and model averaging to evaluate support for a series of non-exclusive hypotheses. Species varied in germination (2.7–24.6%) and survival (39.2–71%) percentages, and in their sensitivity to leachates. Germination of scrub species was most negatively affected by leaf > root > litter leachates, although not all species followed the overall trend. Additional germination suppression by leachate combinations (relative to single leachates) was minimal. Sites did not vary in germination, but seedling survival did differ among sites. This study further documents the negative impact of Florida rosemary leachates on the germination of co-occurring plant species. Allelopathy may be partly responsible for bare sand gaps in Florida rosemary scrub, and therefore be one of the forces structuring Florida rosemary scrub ecosystems.     

Effects of biological soil crusts on seed germination of four endangered herbs in a xeric Florida shrubland during drought

Soil crusts of rosemary scrubs in south-central Florida were examined for effects on seed germination of four herbs that are killed by fire and must recruit from seed: Eryngium cuneifolium (Apiaceae), Hypericum cumulicola (Hypericaceae), Polygonella basiramia (Polygonaceae), and Paronychia chartacea ssp. chartacea (Caryophyllaceae). Biological soil crusts in these sites are dominated by algae, cyanobacteria, fungi, and bacteria. Because crusts can change soil stability, water, and nutrients, they can affect seed germination. A series of greenhouse and field experiments were designed to first examine the effects of crusts in isolation and then to determine their role in the context of other environmental factors – time since fire and distance to the dominant shrub in this system, Ceratiola ericoides. In the greenhouse experiment, germination in autoclaved crusts was dramatically reduced relative to germination in living crusts for all but P. basiramia. In four field experiments where crusts were left intact, disturbed (mechanically or by flaming), or completely removed, the effects of crusts were variable and species-specific, but were significant enough to impact aboveground population sizes. More germination was consistently observed in recently burned sites away from C. ericoides shrubs. Overall rates of germination were generally very low during this study, possibly as a result of seasonal droughts that could have reduced germination, increased seed dormancy, and/or decreased seed viability. The importance of water for germination was confirmed in an experiment with two watering regimes and three crust treatments designed to create a gradient of soil water availability. Germination was significantly greater in the high water treatment and unaffected by soil crust moisture. Dry years are not uncommon in scrub and the results of this study help us to understand how scrub herbs fare during drought and what role biological soil crusts play in germination.     

Photoprotective potential of lycopene, β-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C and carnosic acid in UVA-irradiated human skin fibroblasts

The photoprotective potential of the dietary antioxidants vitamin C, vitamin E, lycopene, β-carotene, and the rosemary polyphenol, carnosic acid, was tested in human dermal fibroblasts exposed to ultraviolet-A (UVA) light. The carotenoids were prepared in special nanoparticle formulations together with vitamin C and/or vitamin E. Nanoparticle formulations, in contrast to dimethylsulphoxide, stablized lycopene in the cell culture medium and allowed efficient cellular uptake. The presence of vitamin E in the formulation further increased the stability and cellular uptake of lycopene. UVA irradiation of the human skin fibroblasts led to a 10–15-fold rise in metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) mRNA. This rise was suppressed in the presence of low μM concentrations of vitamin E, vitamin C, or carnosic acid but not with β-carotene or lycopene. Indeed, in the presence of 0.5–1.0 μM β-carotene or lycopene, the UVA-induced MMP-1 mRNA was further increased by 1.5–2-fold. This increase was totally suppressed when vitamin E was included in the nanoparticle formulation. Heme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1) mRNA expression was strongly induced by UVA irradiation but none of the antioxidants inhibited this effect at the concentrations used in this study. Indeed, β-carotene or lycopene (0.5–1.0 μM) led to a further 1.5-fold rise in the UVA-induced HO-1 mRNA levels. In conclusion, vitamin C, vitamin E, and carnosic acid showed photoprotective potential. Lycopene and β-carotene did not protect on their own but in the presence of vitamin E, their stability in culture was improved and the rise in MMP-1 mRNA expression was suppressed, suggesting a requirement for antioxidant protection of the carotenoids against formation of oxidative derivatives that can influence the cellular and molecular responses.     

迷迭香酸对硫酸铜致斑马鱼胚胎毒性的抑制作用

本文探讨硫酸铜(CuSO_4)对斑马鱼(Danio rerio)胚胎发育的毒性效应,使用迷迭香酸(RA)抑制CuSO_4对斑马鱼胚胎发育的毒性并探讨其作用机制。收集受精后1 h(1 hpf)的斑马鱼胚胎暴露于不同浓度的CuSO_4溶液,或含有不同浓度迷迭香酸的CuSO_4溶液,对照组培养在E3培养液中,观察胚胎死亡、孵化及畸形情况,计算胚胎死亡率、孵化率和畸形率;以活性氧(ROS)荧光探针DCFH-DA染色法检测迷迭香酸保护下胚胎的活性氧水平。对实验数据进行方差分析。结果显示:(1)CuSO_4浓度超过一定量时能诱导斑马鱼胚胎死亡和畸形,胚胎孵化率也降低。CuSO_4对96 hpf斑马鱼胚胎的半致死浓度(LC50)为7.7μmol/L,半致畸浓度(EC50)为1.9μmol/L。(2)在96 hpf,迷迭香酸与8μmol/L CuSO_4共同处理组斑马鱼胚胎的死亡率明显降低,孵化率升高。迷迭香酸与1.6μmol/LCuSO_4共同处理组斑马鱼胚胎的畸形率降低。(3)CuSO_4单独处理组的活性氧含量明显高于迷迭香酸与CuSO_4共同处理组和对照组。结果表明,CuSO_4暴露对斑马鱼胚胎发育的毒性效应可能与活性氧升高导致的氧化应激相关;迷迭香酸抑制CuSO_4对斑马鱼胚胎发育的毒性作用,可能与减少活性氧生成有关。     

新型资源植物迷迭香的化学成分及其应用

迷迭香(Rosmarinus officinalis L.)系唇形科迭香属植物,本品原系香料植物,近年来大量用于药品、食品、化妆品及日用品等方面。本文对其化学成分及其应用进行了综述,并对其应用前景进行了展望。