Evaluation of the Insecticidal Activity of Powders of Ageratum conyzoide L. Leaves and Roots of Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen on the Germination Rate of Cowpea Infected with Callosobruchus maculatus

Cowpea is a vegetable that contributes to food security in Guinea. Despite its importance, more than 30% of its production is lost between harvesting, storage and consumption. The main cowpea pest is Callosobruchus maculatus. The commonly used control strategy is essentially based on chemicals whose use is toxic, expensive and restrictive. In the search for alternatives to chemical control, this work was undertaken to evaluate the insecticidal potential of Ageratum conyzoid leaf powders and Securidaca longepedunculata roots. Powder toxicity and insecticidal efficacy tests were performed separately on groups of 20 Callosobruchus maculatus using 3 doses of Ageratum conyzoid leaf powders and Securidaca longepedunculata roots in jars each containing 100 g cowpea. The mortality of Callosobruchus maculatus and the impact of powders were noted respectively for 96 h and 4 months after infestation. The germination capacity of the treated seeds was assessed at the start of the study. Doses of 1 and 8 g of Ageratum conyzoides leaf powders and Securidaca longepedunculata roots were applied respectively to every 100 g of cowpea and led to 100% mortality of Callosobruchus maculatus. At these same doses, more than half of the treated seeds were attacked during the 4 months of storage. Germination tests have shown that powders of Ageratum conyzoides leaves and roots of Securidaca longepedunculata have no negative effect on the germination power of cowpea seeds. Therefore, they could be considered as excellent bio-insecticides that socio-professional strata (farmers and warehouse workers) can use in the fight against cowpea insects intended for storage.

Ethanolic extracts of babandotan leaves(Ageratum conyzoides L.)prevents inflammation and proteoglycan degradation by inhibiting TNF-αand MMP-9 on osteoarthritis rats induced by monosodium iodoacetate

Objective:To analyze the effects of Ageratum conyzoides L.on the monosodium iodoacetate induced osteoarthritis rats.Methods:Thin layer chromatography was performed to analyze the constituents of the babandotan extract leaves.White male Sprague-Dawley rats used in this study were divided into 6 groups:normal control and negative control groups,both given0.5%carboxymethyl cellulose;the positive control group that was given glucosamine and chondroitin suspension(486 mg/200 g B.W.);the 3 dose variation extract groups including dose 1,2,and 3 that were given 40,80,and 160 mg/200 g B.W.respectively on day 29 until50.All the groups were induced with 0.05 mL monosodium iodoacetate(20 mg/mL)on day1,except normal control induced by saline.Measurement of edema volume of rat knees was performed on day 0,8,15,22,29,43,and 50.Hematology data was measured at day 1,29and 50.Serum was collected at day 50 to evaluate TNF-α and MMP-9 by ELISA.Cartilage histopathology was evaluated by staining with H&E and Safranin-o-fast green staining on day 50.Results:The babandotan leaves extract dose 2(80 mg/200 g B.W.)and dose 3(160mg/200 g B.W.)could decrease the edema volume,increase the area and thickness of articular cartilage,and increase proteoglycan level.Particularly,dose 3(160 mg/200 g B.W.)of extract babandotan leaves were able to significantly decrease the number of leukocytes,lymphocytes and udem volume,and decrease TNF alpha and MMP-9 levels.Conclusions:Babandotan leaves extract can recover inflammation and cartilages degradation by inhibiting TNF-αin inflammation processes and MMP-9 in the collagenase reaction in the cartilages.

Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the ethyl acetate extracts of endophytic fungi isolated from Ageratum conyzoides L.

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that endophytic fungi metabolites possess important biological activities.Ageratum conyzoides L.(Asteraceae)is an invasive aromatic herb with immense therapeutic importance.In the present study,we aimed to isolate and identify endophytic fungi in the roots,stems,leaves and flowers of Ageratum conyzoides L.and evaluate its antioxidant activity(DPPH,ABTS^(+) and FRAP assays),the contents of flavonoids and phenolic and antibacterial activity of their ethyl acetate extracts.Accordingly,a total of 25 endophytic fungi were isolated from Ageratum conyzoides L.and classified into 14 genera based on the Internal transcribed spacer sequence,among which Fusarium sp.(20%)were found to be the dominant groups.All fungal extracts exhibited antioxidant activity,and the extracts of fungi WZ07 exhibited antioxidant activities as well as higher flavonoids and phenolic content in all tests.Moreover,the extracts of fungi WL01 had good antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.We,for the first time,reported the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of endophytic fungi from Ageratum conyzoides L.,which may help lay the foundation for developing other medicinal components.

Jatonik polyherbal mixture induced rat liver MMPT pore opening in normal Wistar rat:In vitro and in vivo studies

Objective:To assess acute toxicity,the in vitro and in vivo effects of methanol and ethyl acetate extracts(JME and JEE)of Jatonik polyherbal mixture on some mitochondria-related parameters and their effect on the activity of some liver enzymes.Methods:Acute toxicity of JME and JEE was determined using Lorke’s method.In vitro and in vivo opening of the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore(MMPT pore)was spectrophotometrically assayed.Production of malondialdehyde(MDA)as an index of lipid peroxidation and the activity of mitochondrial ATPase was evaluated in vitro and in vivo and the effect of JME and JEE on the activity of liver enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase(ALP),aspartate and alanine aminotransferase(AST and ALT)and gamma-glutamyl transferase(GGT)was also investigated.Results:JME had an LD_(50) of 3808 mg/kg b.w whereas JEE had an LD_(50) greater than 5000 mg/kg b.w.of rats.After the rats have been fed with both extracts,a photomicrograph of a piece of liver tissue showed no apparent symptoms of toxicity.From the in vitro and in vivo studies,both extracts prompted intact mitochondria to open their MMPT pores.When compared to the control,lipid peroxide product release and ATPase activity were significantly increased(P<0.05)in vitro and in vivo.The activities of AST,ALT,and GGT were all reduced at 50 mg/kg when treated with JME,but the activity of AST was considerably enhanced when treated with JEE(P<0.05).The results revealed that both JME and JEE of the Jatonik polyherbal mixture had low toxicity,profound MMPTpore induction,and enhanced ATPase activity,but an increased MDA production.Conclusion:Jatonik extracts may be a promising target for drug development in diseases where there is dysregulation of apoptosis,however,further studies are needed to better clarify the molecular mechanism involved in these phenomena.