Toxic Plant Resources in Panxi Area

Panxi Area is abundant in plant resources, among which toxic plants are of great value in terms of exploitation. This paper is an initiative study （via field as well as literature investigation） of the categories, distributions, and reserves of toxic plant resources in Panxi Area. The study reveals that there are 51 families （210 species） of toxic plants evenly distributed in Panxi Area, of which more than 40 species grow in all counties in the area, and more than 14 species total a reserve more than 1.0×10^5 kg. These toxic plants are of great applications to medicine, gardening, biopesticide industry, environmental engineering, and oil manufacturing. Rhododendron molle, Anisodus acutangulus, Arisaema erubesocens, Stellera chamaejasme, Rhytolacca acinosa, Rheum officinale, and Azadiralta indica etc are the typical toxic plants with great value of exploitation in Panxi Area.

Anticholinergic syndrome induced by toxic plants

Plant intoxication constitutes an issue of greatinterest in the literature, concerning both human andanimal poisoning. Different herbs may produce multipleeffects from human organ systems, depending on specifi cingredients and metabolites that they contain. These effectsmay vary from gastroenteritis, hepatotoxicity, peripheralneuropathy, psychosis, rhabdomyolysis and blood countabnormalities to cardiotoxicity and multisystemic organfailure.

Antimicrobial Activities of Extracts of Macrosphyra longistyla against Gram-Positive Oral Biofilm-Formers from School Children in Southwestern Nigeria and Toxicity Studies Using Brine Shrimps

The world will benefit from more effective antimicrobial agents against oral conditions arising from the actions of biofilm forming bacteria. Also, information is lacking on the oral biofilm-forming bacterial diversity in Southwestern Nigeria. In this study, we isolate and characterize oral biofilm producing bacteria in the oral cavities of schoolchildren in Southwestern Nigeria. We also investigate the antimicrobial properties of Macrosphyra longistyla extracts against the biofilm-formers and the toxicity of potent extracts. Samples were obtained from 109 schoolchildren aged 4 - 14 years from Lagos, Oyo and Osun States. Agar well diffusion technique was used in the antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Toxicity testing was done using brine shrimps (Artemia salina). Biofilm-formers in this study are Klebsiella sp., Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp., and Micrococcus sp. Ethanol leaf extracts had the highest activity against all biofilm-producing bacteria. Ethanol stem bark extract, which elicited activity against Klebsiella only, was found to be less toxic than the ethanol leaf extract. Staphylococcus showed >10 mm susceptibility to the ethanol and aqueous extracts of Macrosphyra longistyla. Streptococcus and Micrococcus were susceptible to the antimicrobial actions of the ethanolic leaf extracts. Although the ethanol extracts of the leaves had lower minimum inhibitory concentrations than the ethanol extracts of the stem bark, toxicity studies showed ethanol extracts of the stem-bark to be more toxic than the ethanol extracts of the leaves. In conclusion, ethanolic extracts of Macrosphyra longistyla show potential as sources of antimicrobials against gram-positive, oral biofilm-forming bacteria.

Toxicity and Antiviral Activities of Some Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Medical Practitioners in Zimbabwe

Genital herpes, usually caused by Herpes Simplex Virus type-2 (HSV-2), is the commonest sexually transmitted disease especially amongst rural women in Southern Africa including Zimbabwe. This predisposes them to HIV/AIDS infection, cancer and opportunistic infections (OIs). Current antiviral treatments are often cytotoxic and/or ineffective. This motivates active research to find alternative safer drugs or lead drugs from traditional medicinal sources. Twenty six (26) methanol extracts from commonly used and often endangered plant species (14) used by communities and traditional medical practitioners for treating illnesses and sexually transmitted diseases from 5-selected districts of Zimbabwe were investigated for toxicity by Brine shrimp lethality test (BSLT) and by 50% Cytopathic effect on VERO cultured cells. The extracts were also tested for antiviral activity against Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2) by the End Point Titration Technique (EPTT) and Neutralisation Test (NT) on VERO cells. Results from the BSLTs ranged 66.66 - 4304 μg/ml;50% Cytopathic effect from 19.53 - 312 μg/ml whilst the NT ID50 values ranged from 10.41 - 125 μg/ml. The antiviral EPTT reduction factor (RF) was 1 - 104 with 13 extracts showing RF ≥ 103. All the plant extracts had moderate to high toxicity (LC50, 789 - 66 μg/ml) in the BSLT. Six extracts had LC50 values greater than 1000 μg/ml. All 26 extracts were cytotoxic with CC50 values < 500 ug/ml of which 19 were more toxic CC50 in vitro therapeutic indexes ≥ 3.7. Cassia abbreviata, Dichrostachys cinerea and Hypoxis hemerocallidea had therapeutic indexes (TI) 7.5 - 15.0. The more active plant extracts were from roots and root tubers. The results confirm the rationale for the use of traditional medicinal plants by traditional medical practitioners for treating various diseases and could bring awareness for their better use and improve conservation. The results also provide an opportunity to develop more efficacious drugs by isolating lead compounds and determining their mode of action.

Tridepsides from the endophytic fungus colletotrichum gloeosporioides associated with a toxic medicinal plant tylophora ovata

Introduction:Bioactive secondary metabolites from the microbes living in frigid,toxic or other extreme environments are emerging as a new medicinal resource.Here,we report the discovery of new antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory compounds with novel structures from endophytic fungi hosted toxic medicinal plant.Methods:The endophytic fungus isolated from toxic plants was fermented and extracted.The obtained extracts were purified with preparative HPLC to yield pure compounds.The purified compounds were examined by PTP1b inhibition and NO inhibition assays to evaluate their bioactivities.Results:One new tridepsides(Compound 1),one new benzeneacetic acid derivative(Compound 3)and five known compounds(Compounds 2 and 4-7)were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides,an endophytic fungus obtained from a toxic medicinal plant Tylophora ovata.Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data(1D and 2D NMR,HRESIMS)analyses.Compound 2 showed significant inhibitory activity against PTP1b with an IC50 value of 0.84μM.Compounds 2 and 3 exhibited moderate inhibitory activities against the NO(nitric oxide)release in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells at 10μM with percent inhibition of 39%and 33%,respectively.Conclusion:The Compound 2 has potent PTP1b inhibitory effect indicating its antidiabetic potential and thus might be considered a lead compound for antidiabetic drug development.

Contact toxicities of imidacloprid on rice brown plant hopper(Nilaparvata lugens Stal)

Rice brown planthopper (BPH) (Nilaparvata lugens Stal, ) which occurs 4 generations within one year in Jiangsu Province has become a serious pest and causes loss of yield on rice every year in this region. The contact toxicities of imidacloprid and methamidophos to rice BPH were tested by means of immerse topical application method and a field trial from 1993 to 1994. A randomized complete design was laid out in 6 treatments with three replications.

Obtaining the Minimum Lethal Dose against <i>Fasciola hepatica in Vitro</i>Using Plant Extract Hexanes with Fasciolicide Activity and Toxicity Evaluation on CD1 Male Mice

Fascioliasis is a parasitic disease of worldwide distribution affecting mainly cattle and sheep. Its importance lies in the economic losses it produces in the livestock industry. Its control is carried out by using a chemical fasciolicide showing resistance problems and environmental contamination. Looking for an alternative control for this disease the present study was aimed at determining the hexane anti-Fasciola hepatica in the in vitro effect of some plant extracts and the minimum lethal dose of the mentioned extracts. All selected plants were tested in vitro at concentrations of 500, 250, 125 and 50 mg/L):Achilleamillefolium (plumajillo), Artemisiaabsinthium (wormwood), Artemisia mexicana (estafiate), Castelatortuousa (chaparroamargo), Chenopodiumgraveolens (epazote de zorrillo), Gymnospermaglutinosum (popote) Justicia spicigera (muicle), Limpia critridora (cedron), Lippiagraveolens (oregano), Menthapiperita (Mint), Populus alba (alamo) and Thymusvulgaris (thyme). Subsequently proceeded to perform a toxicity study with these fractions in CD1 male mice 10-13 weeks of age, forming groups of 3-5 animals they were administered a single oral dose being (5 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, 2500 mg/kg and 5000 mg/kg) and were kept under observation 20 days, later were sacrificed and a kidney and liver histology was performed, finding the safety of the extracts. To perform the toxicity study with these fractions, groups of five CD1 male-mice were formed, they were treated with oral doses of 5, 50, 500, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg, administered with a cannule. All mice were kept under observation for 20 days. Finally they were sacrificed to perform histology of the kidney and liver in search of possible side effects. Results show that none of the extracts exhibited that fasciolocide activity for mice CD1 even at the highest dose thereforefinding the safety of the extracts.

Toxic Gas Put 161 Workers of Jilin Chemical Fiber Plant in Hospital

A news briefing held on May 13 by local government in Jilin city of Jilin province released that 161 workers got sick symptoms as a result of their contact with an unidentified gas emitting from Jilin Chemical Fiber Group Corp.

植物耐盐机制研究进展及展望

植物的生长和生产面临各种生物和非生物胁迫,其中盐胁迫严重影响植物的正常生长发育、品质和产量形成。植物在长期的演化过程中,进化出了适应盐胁迫的形态结构、生理生化反应和遗传基础。在形态结构上,耐盐植物的叶片具有蜡质层、气孔密度低于盐敏感植物,另外具有泌盐或者阻断功能的盐腺、毛状体、盐囊泡、凯氏带等结构;在生理活动调节方面,一方面耐盐植物具有高的酶促和非酶促抗氧化物质,如SOD、CAT、酚类物质等,另一方面耐盐植物具有较高的渗透调节物质含量,或者在盐胁迫下可以合成渗透调节物质,包括有机物质可溶性蛋白和糖以及无机盐离子等;在分子机理方面,SOS途径是研究得最为清晰的离子调控途径,通过SOS1、SOS2和SOS3协同作用维持细胞内Na^(+)/K^(+)平衡;此外,植物激素及碳代谢途径在植物耐盐过程中亦具有重要作用。本研究通过综述植物耐盐研究进展,探讨耐盐植物在形态结构、生理基础、遗传分子基础和转基因手段在响应盐胁迫的潜在研究重点和方向,有助于研究人员快速找到切入点,逐步完善植物的耐盐机理体系,加快耐盐植物的高效利用。

镰刀菌属真菌毒素在植物和病原菌互作中的研究进展

镰刀菌是世界上最重要的植物病原菌之一,可影响植物的生长发育,严重威胁全球粮食安全和生物多样性。几乎所有的镰刀菌都会产生真菌毒素,其毒素种类多、毒性强,一方面可以作为致病因子之一参与镰刀菌的致病过程,另一方面可污染粮食和饲料,进而引起人类和动物的相关病症。已有研究表明,镰刀菌侵染植物后产生的不同种类真菌毒素不仅毒害植物细胞,引起植物组织的坏死,还会加速病原菌的侵染;同时,针对病原菌产生的毒素,植物会激活防御酶并启动防御相关基因的表达,或将致病毒素转化为无毒或低毒物质并转运到胞外,或通过分泌次生代谢物直接抑制病原菌毒素的生物合成。为全面解析镰刀菌毒素在病原菌侵染植物中的作用,提高植物对病原菌的抗性,该文综述了镰刀菌属真菌毒素的种类、毒性机理以及毒素在植物和病原菌互作中的作用,并讨论了植物对真菌毒素的防御反应策略,以期为镰刀菌毒素致病机制和病原菌防治策略研究提供参考。

2种植物提取物对杂拟谷盗的生物活性及几种酶活性的影响

杂拟谷盗(Tribolium confusum)是一种重要的储粮害虫,熏蒸是目前主要的防治方法。相比化学熏蒸,植物源杀虫剂作用方式多样且对环境和粮食安全。因此本论文研究了2种植物[瑞香狼毒(Stellera chamaejasme L.)根石油醚提取物和百里香(Thymus mongolicus Ronn.)甲醇提取物]对杂拟谷盗的熏蒸、拒食和驱避活性,以及对杂拟谷盗2种靶标酶和3种解毒酶活性的影响。结果表明,瑞香狼毒根石油醚提取物和百里香甲醇提取物熏蒸杂拟谷盗24 h后,致死中浓度(Lethal concentration,LC 50)分别为88.50和119.57 mg·L^(-1);拒食处理杂拟谷盗5 d后的拒食中浓度(Antifeedant concentration,AFC 50)分别为23.00和14.78 mg·L^(-1);4 h的驱避率分别为63.49%和71.90%。2种植物提取物对杂拟谷盗乙酰胆碱酯酶和三磷酸腺苷酶活性均有抑制作用。2种植物提取物处理杂拟谷盗后,细胞色素P450和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶活性被诱导升高,而羧酸酯酶活性降低。本试验结果为未来进一步开发利用这2种植物源农药防治储粮害虫提供了一定的理论基础。

4种植物精油对瓜实蝇毒杀及驱避作用

瓜实蝇Bactrocera cucurbitae(Copullett)是我国瓜类蔬菜的重要入侵害虫,为筛选出对瓜实蝇具有毒杀及驱避作用的植物精油,室内测定了4种植物精油在不同浓度下对瓜实蝇的毒杀及产卵驱避效果,并进行了田间验证。结果表明:4种植物精油对瓜实蝇成虫的毒杀效果随精油浓度升高而升高,浓度为7 mg/mL和10 mg/mL的肉桂精油对瓜实蝇的毒杀效果极显著高于其他精油,处理后24 h瓜实蝇校正死亡率分别为75.9%和100%;雌虫对冬青精油的嗅觉反应率为93.3%,显著高于紫苏精油和山苍子精油。不同植物精油对雌虫产卵的驱避效果不同,当植物精油浓度为10 mg/mL时,冬青精油对雌虫的产卵驱避率为69.04%,显著高于其他精油。田间试验结果显示:不同植物精油对瓜实蝇成虫具有一定防控效果,但处理间差异不显著,可能是由于田间环境复杂、植物精油理化性质存在差异等因素导致。

微纳米塑料在土壤-植物系统中的迁移机制及毒性效应研究进展

微塑料是指粒径小于5 mm的塑料碎屑和颗粒,其中粒径小于100 nm为纳米塑料。微纳米塑料作为一种新型污染物,具有难以降解、容易发生积累和可长距离迁移等特点,进而对生态环境产生影响。但是,与其他环境中的微纳米塑料相比,人们对土壤环境中的微纳米塑料的认识与了解还比较少。所以,本文详细阐明了微纳米塑料在土壤环境中的生物和非生物迁移过程与机制,系统总结了微纳米塑料从土壤到植物的转运过程,并探讨了微纳米塑料对植物种子萌发和根系发育产生的直接毒性效应,通过改变土壤理化性质和吸附重金属、有机污染物进而成为污染物传输载体而对植物产生的间接毒性作用。最后,提出了土壤-植物系统中微纳米塑料污染目前还需要进一步研究和处理的问题。本文可为土壤-植物系统中微纳米塑料污染的生态风险评估提供科学参考。

牡丹蛋白的安全性评价

本研究旨在研究牡丹蛋白的安全性,为牡丹蛋白在食品领域中的应用提供科学依据。通过小鼠急性经口毒性试验、大鼠28 d经口毒性试验和90 d经口毒性试验评价其安全性。结果表明,急性经口毒性试验(灌胃剂量11700 mg/kg)小鼠无中毒反应,亦无动物死亡;大鼠28 d及90 d经口毒性试验中牡丹蛋白各剂量组(1500、3000、6000 mg/kg)大鼠食物利用率、脏体比及各项生命活动与空白组相比均无异常,血常规指标及血生化指标值与空白组均无显著性差异(P>0.05),脏器病理切片显示大鼠各组织形态完好,未见中毒性病变。证明在低于11700 mg/kg剂量范围内牡丹蛋白无毒,具备应用于食品领域的前景。

茶树一种新枝条枯萎病病原菌鉴定及防治药剂筛选

在浙江省瑞安市茶园种植的嘉茗1号茶树上,夏秋季大面积发生一种未见报道的枝条枯萎病,发病枝条出现褐色不规则病斑,病斑可扩大蔓延至芽叶,造成茶芽枯萎,叶片卷曲皱缩,进而整个枝条枯萎死亡。利用组织分离法从发病枝条上分离得到1株真菌,结合菌株的形态特征以及ITS、TUB2和TEF1-α序列构建的多基因系统发育树分析,鉴定该菌株为梭孢葡萄座腔菌(Botryosphaeria fusispora)。室内致病力测试表明,B.fusispora通过伤口侵染茶树枝条造成枯萎病的发生。以上结果表明,作为新纪录种,B.fusispora是引起茶树该新病害发生的病原菌。采用室内菌丝生长速率抑制法测定了3种杀菌剂(百菌清、甲基硫菌灵和吡唑醚菌酯)对病原菌的抑制效果。结果表明,甲基硫菌灵和吡唑醚菌酯对B.fusispora均有较强的毒力,EC50值分别为1.91μg·mL^(-1)和2.25μg·mL^(-1)。

Erratum to “Census Ethnobotanical Study of Some Plants Used in Traditional Medicine in the City of Meknes” [American Journal of Plant Sciences 5 (2014) 2480-2496]

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in the city of Meknès over a period of two years, from 2009 to 2011 with 1000 people (615 women, 385 men). Through the questionnaire, schedules were established to collect information on the use of therapeutic medicinal plants by the local population. This research has focused primarily on the general population, herbalists and healers. The present investigation has enumerated 194 species distributed in 165 genera and 72 families. The most represented families are Lamiaceae (18%), the Aseraceae, (17%), the Apiaceae (14%) and the Fabaceae (10%). The results of the survey show that 54% of individuals use both herbal medicine and modern medicine, 26% of individuals use herbs and 20% use modern medicine. We are interested in the use of plants in different ages and sexes. We report that 31% of the population is aged between 51 and 60 years, 29% between 41 and 50 years, 23% between 31 and 40 years, 10% between 21 and 30 years, 3% less than 20 years and 4 % > 60 years. We note the predominance of women over men. Women use up to 61% against 39% of men. The analysis of our results shows that herbal medicine takes a place in the self-medication of the population studied. However, we emphasize an important point: Ignorance of toxic plants, in fact, only 19% of the target population recognizes these plants.

油菜素甾醇信号响应养分和重金属胁迫的生理分子机制

植物生长发育需要吸收利用各种必需营养元素及有益元素维持植物整个生命活动。土壤中营养元素含量过低或有毒重金属元素过量均能抑制植物的生长发育和产量品质的形成,积累的重金属还能通过食物链迁移而危害人体健康。植物激素油菜素甾醇作为一种促生激素不仅参与了植物生长发育的各个阶段,也在应对各种生物和非生物胁迫中发挥了重要作用。本文在阐述植物油菜素甾醇合成、运输、代谢和信号传导的主要过程及其关键基因的基础上,综述了油菜素甾醇参与调控氮、磷、硼、铁等必需营养元素胁迫所涉及的分子机制,以及参与缓解镉、砷、铅和铬等有毒重金属胁迫的生理分子机制。当植物遭遇营养胁迫时,油菜素甾醇信号途径核心转录因子BES1/BZR1的表达模式发生改变,进而影响下游靶基因的表达以适应营养胁迫过程。在重金属胁迫下,外源喷施油菜素甾醇可以降低体内重金属的积累,减少其对植物生长的不利影响,提高重金属胁迫下植物的光合能力,增强抗氧化酶活性以应对活性氧的爆发,增强对各种重金属胁迫的耐受能力。在农业生产中外源喷施油菜素甾醇类化合物作为植物生长调节剂,有利于植物生长发育,增强对逆境条件的抗性,具有低投入、高产出的效果。因此,在提高农作物抗逆能力实现高产稳产中,油菜素甾醇具有广阔的应用前景。

大连国际机场场内和航线下有毒植物调查与鸟类保护

为探究有毒植物在降低航空鸟击风险方面的潜力,本研究采用直接观察法、触摸法和嗅味法等方法,对大连国际机场场内和航线下有毒植物进行了调查。结果表明,研究区分布有毒植物24科58种,其中,剧毒植物为狼毒大戟。结合调查结果,对有毒植物驱鸟原因进行分析,提出了加强对有毒植物的保护,增加有毒植物的种类和数量,优化生态环境,以及强化科研与监测工作等措施,目的在于保护研究区鸟类种类和数量,减少对鸟类的伤害。

污水处理厂活性污泥工艺中微型动物的生活习性、功能作用、研究方法与毒性响应

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