Chemical profiling of bioactive compounds in the methanolic extract of wild leaf and callus of Vitex negundo using gas chromatographymass spectrometry

BACKGROUND The investigation of plant-based therapeutic agents in medicinal plants has revealed their presence in the extracts and provides the vision to formulate novel techniques for drug therapy.Vitex negundo(V.negundo),a perennial herb belonging to the Varbanaceae family,is extensively used in conventional medication.AIM To determine the existence of therapeutic components in leaf and callus extracts from wild V.negundo plants using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GCMS).METHODS In this study,we conducted GC-MS on wild plant leaf extracts and correlated the presence of constituents with those in callus extracts.Various growth regulators such as 6-benzylaminopurine(BAP),2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid(2,4-D),α-naphthylacetic acid(NAA),and di-phenylurea(DPU)were added to plant leaves and in-vitro callus and grown on MS medium.RESULTS The results clearly indicated that the addition of BAP(2.0 mg/L),2,4-D(0.2 mg/mL),DPU(2.0 mg/L)and 2,4-D(0.2 mg/mL)in MS medium resulted in rapid callus development.The plant profile of Vitex extracts by GC-MS analysis showed that 24,10,and 14 bioactive constituents were detected in the methanolic extract of leaf,green callus and the methanolic extract of white loose callus,respectively.CONCLUSION Octadecadienoic acid,hexadecanoic acid and methyl ester were the major constituents in the leaf and callus methanolic extract.Octadecadienoic acid was the most common constituent in all samples.The maximum concentration of octadecadienoic acid in leaves,green callus and white loose callus was 21.93%,47.79%and 40.38%,respectively.These findings demonstrate that the concentration of octadecadienoic acid doubles in-vitro compared to in-vivo.In addition to octadecadienoic acid;butyric acid,benzene,1-methoxy-4-(1-propenyl),dospan,tridecanedialdehyde,methylcyclohexenylbutanol,chlorpyrifos,n-secondary terpene diester,anflunine and other important active compounds were also detected.All these components were only available in callus formed in-vitro.This study showed that the callus contained additional botanical characteristics compared with wild plants.Due to the presence of numerous bioactive compounds,the medical use of Vitex for various diseases has been accepted and the plant is considered an important source of therapeutics for research and development.

Detection of Cocoa Leaf Diseases Using the CNN-Based Feature Extractor and XGBOOST Classifier

Among all the plagues threatening cocoa cultivation in general, and particularly in West Africa, the swollen shoot viral disease is currently the most dangerous. The greatest challenge in the fight to eradicate this pandemic remains its early detection. Traditional methods of swollen shoot detection are mostly based on visual observations, leading to late detection and/or diagnostic errors. The use of machine learning algorithms is now an alternative for effective plant disease detection. It is therefore crucial to provide efficient solutions to farmers’ cooperatives. In our study, we built a database of healthy and diseased cocoa leaves. We then explored the power of feature extractors based on convolutional neural networks such as VGG 19, Inception V3, DenseNet 201, and a custom CNN, combining their strengths with the XGBOOST classifier. The results of our experiments showed that this fusion of methods with XGBOOST yielded highly promising scores, outperforming the results of algorithms using the sigmoid function. These results were further consolidated by the use of evaluation metrics such as accuracy, mean squared error, F score, recall, and Matthews’s correlation coefficient. The proposed approach, combining state of the art feature extractors and the XGBOOST classifier, offers an efficient and reliable solution for the early detection of swollen shoot. Its implementation could significantly assist West African cocoa farmers in combating this devastating disease and preserving their crops.

Comprehensive Assessment of the Safety of Eucommia ulmoides Leaf Extract for Consumption as a Traditional Chinese Health Food

To ensure the export quality of Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract(ELE)and facilitate E.ulmoides leaf inclusion in the directory of traditional Chinese health foods,an overall safety assessment of ELE was performed,including genotoxicity and long-term toxicity,according to the national food safety standards of China.No variations in the reverse mutation number of the nominal bacterial strains were observed under ELE treatment in comparison with the solvent control.Additionally,the micronucleus rates of in vivo mammalian erythrocytes and in vitro mammalian cells under ELE treatment were equivalent to or significantly lower than those of the solvent control.The fold change in the trifluorothymidine resistance mutation frequency of the thymidine kinase gene under ELE treatment was less than three times in comparison with the solvent control,suggesting that ELE did not cause genotoxicity.Moreover,animal experiments showed that the growth performance of rats under ELE treatment was enhanced because the body weights of rats increased.No oxidative injury or inflammatory responses were induced and no histopathological lesions of tissues were detected under ELE treatment.In addition,plasma triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels significantly decreased,and plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels significantly increased with ELE treatment,suggesting that ELE was health-promoting.Furthermore,moderate to excellent antimicrobial activities,a favorable anticancer capacity,and superior antioxidant abilities of ELE were found,implying ELE possesses good bioactivities.Therefore,we affirmed ELE is safe to consume as a traditional Chinese health food.

In Vitro Efficacy Assessment of Botanical Extracts against Botrytis gladiolorum Causing Gladiolus Leaf Blight

An experiment was conducted at the Mycology laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh to find out the efficacy of selected botanical extracts against Botrytis gladiolorum (Bg) causing gladiolus leaf blight. Infected leaves samples were collected from gladiolus farmers’ field and brought to the laboratory for study. Ten selected botanicals were used against the colony growth of (Bg). The botanicals were Mehendi, Chrysanthemum, Basil (Tulsi), Onion, Neem, Bael, Arjuna, Garlic, Aloevera (Ghritkumary) and Turmeric. Botanical extracts were applied at the rate of 5%, 10% and 20%. The radial mycelia growth was found minimum (11.60 mm) in garlic extract treated plate at the dose of 5% at 5 DAI, which was statistically similar with turmeric extract treated (14.00 mm) plate and the inhibition of growth was 60% and 51.72%, respectively. Similar trend was found at 10 DAI and 15 DAI. At 15 DAI, garlic and turmeric extract gave the best result against Bg, which was statistically similar with onion (50.07% inhibition) and mehendi (49.93%). All botanicals showed significantly different results over control and found effective in reducing the mycelial growth at the dose of 10%. At 5 DAI, no radial mycelia growth was found in garlic treated plate, which was statistically similar with onion treated plate, means that the inhibition of growth was 100%. Similar trend was also found at 10 DAI, and 15 DAI but at 15 DAI, onion (30.20 mm) gave the statistically similar results with Garlic (30.10 mm) and the mycelia growth inhibition was (57.70%) and (57.84%), respectively. In case of 20% dose, garlic extract showed the best result at 5 DAI and the radial mycelia growth was found minimum (00.00 mm) which was statistically similar with onion extract treated (00.00 mm) plate and turmeric extract treated plate. The inhibition of growth was 100%. At 15 DAI, the inhibition of fungal growth was found (73.74%), (71.23%) and (66.90%), respectively with treated by turmeric (18.80 mm), garlic (20.60 mm) and onion (23.70 mm).

Antioxidant Activity and Soothing Efficacy of Tambourissa Trichophylla Leaf Extract in Vitro Study

Present study is aimed to investigate in vitro biological efficacy of Tambourissa trichophylla leaf extract(TTLE),a plant-derived ingredient in cosmetic,on antioxidant activity and soothing efficacy.The total phenols content of TTLE was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method,antioxidant activity was tested by DPPH free radical scavenging assay,hyaluronidase inhibition activity was performed by using in vitro enzyme inhibitory assays based on spectrophotometric evaluation,and the soothing efficacy of TTLE was performed by the expression of nitric oxide(NO)and interleukin-6(IL-6)produced by LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells.The results shown that the total phenolic content of TTLE was as high as 54%,the DPPH scavenging activity was 81.18%at the concentration of 25μg/mL,the hyaluronidase inhibition activity was 69.04%at the concentration of 5 mg/mL,and the inhibition of NO and IL-6 were 15.70%and 76.57%at 0.05 mg/mL,respectively.TTLE has a high content of total phenols,high antioxidant activity and soothing effects,which indicated that TTLE was a promising ingredient in the development and application of cosmetics.

Olive leaf extract inhibits lead poisoning-induced brain injury

Olive leaves have an antioxidant capacity, and olive leaf extract can protect the blood, spleen and hippocampus in lead-poisoned mice. However, little is known about the effects of olive leaf extract on lead-induced brain injury. This study was designed to determine whether olive leaf extract can inhibit lead-induced brain injury, and whether this effect is associated with antioxidant capacity. First, we established a mouse model of lead poisoning by continuous intragastric administration of lead acetate for 30 days. Two hours after successful model establishment, lead-poisoned mice were given olive leaf extract at doses of 250, 500 or 1 000 mg/kg daily by intragastric administration for 50 days. Under the transmission electron microscope, olive leaf extract attenuated neuronal and capillary injury and reduced damage to organelles and the matrix around the capillaries in the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex in the lead-poisoned mice. Olive leaf extract at a dose of 1 000 mg/kg had the greatest protective effect. Spectrophotometry showed that olive leaf extract significantly in- creased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, alkaline phosphatase and acid phes- phatase, while it reduced malondialdehyde content, in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining revealed that olive leaf extract dose-dependently decreased Bax protein expression in the cerebral cortex of lead-poisoned mice. Our findings indicate that olive leaf extract can inhibit lead-induced brain injury by increasing antioxidant capacity and reducing apop- tosis.

Antimicrobial activity,cytotoxicity,and phytochemical screening of Voacanga globosa(Blanco) Merr.leaf extract(Apocynaceae)

Objective:To determine the antibacterial,antifungal,antiprotozoal,cytotoxic,and phytochemical properties of ethanol extracts of leaves of Voacanga globosa(Blanco) Merr.(V.globosa). Methods:The extracts were tested against bacteria and fungus through disc diffusion assay; against protozoa through growth curve determination,antiprotozoal and cytotoxicity assays. Results:The extract revealed antibacterial activities,inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus,Bacillus cereus,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Micrococcus luteus,and Salmonella typhimurium.Antifungal assay showed that it inhibited Candida albicans.The antiprotozoal assay against Trichomonas vaginalis and Entamoeba histolytica showed that V.globosa can inhibit the parasites,wherein the action can be comparable to metronidazole.With the in situ cell death detection kit.Trichomonas vaginalis and Entamoeba histolytica exposed to V.globosa leaf extract was observed to fluoresce simultaneously in red and yellow signals signifying apoptotic-like changes.Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the chemical composition of plant extract containing alkaloids,saponins,2-deoxysugars,and hydrolysabie tannins.Conclusions: Thus,thus study provides scientific evidence on the traditional use of V.globosa leaf extract in treating microbial diseases.Further,the leaf extract can possibly be used to produce alternative forms of antimicrobials.

Hydroxytyrosol and olive leaf extract exert cardioprotective effects by inhibiting GRP78 and CHOP expression

Myocardial infarction triggers massive biochemical changes, even cardiac cell death. Endoplasmic reticulum stress is involved in the pathology of myocardial infarction-mediated apoptosis. In the present study, myocardial cell line H9c2 cells were treated with cobalt chloride（CoCl_2） to induce hypoxia. Isoproterenol was used for two successive days to induce myocardial infarction in SD rats. The cardioprotective effect of olive leaf extract（OLE） and its main constituent hydroxytyrosol and the underlying mechanisms were evaluated. The results showed that hydroxytyrosol markedly protected H9c2 cells against CoCl2-induced apoptosis. Hydroxytyrosol could reduce the mRNA and protein expression of GRP78 and CHOP induced by CoCl2 in vitro. In vivo, the decreased ejection fraction and fractional shortening, increased heart weight/body ratio, the formation of infarction, disordered cardiac muscle fibers and infiltration of inflammatory cells induced by isoproterenol could be significantly ameliorated by pretreatment with OLE for a month. Similarly, OLE could also reverse the increase of GRP78 and CHOP expression induced by isoproterenol. Therefore, OLE and hydroxytyrosol exert a cardioprotective effect through endoplasmic reticulum stress, which could be a new target for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Protective Effect of Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract on Learning and Memory Deficit Induced by Aluminum in Model Rats

Objective： To examine the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract （GbE） on learning and memory deficit induced by aluminum chloride （AlCl3）, and explore its mechanisms. Methods： The rat models with learning and memory deficit were induced by administering via gastrogavage and drinking of AlCl3 solution. And the model rats were treated with GbE at the dose of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg every day for 2 months accompanied with drinking of AlCl3 solution, respectively. Their abilities of spatial learning and memory were tested by Morris water maze, and the acetylcholinesterase （ACHE） activity in serum was assayed with chemical method, the AChE expression in hippocampus was observed by immunohistochemistry assay, and then quantitative analysis was done by BI 2000 image analysis system. Results： Learning and memory deficit of rats could be induced by AlCl3 solution （P〈0.01）, and AChE expressions in rats hippocampus were increased （P〈0.01）; GbE ameliorated learning and memory deficit and reduced AChE expression in rats hippocampus in a dose-dependent manner, while GbE significantly increased serum AChE activity at the dose of 200 mg/kg each day （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： GbE can ameliorate learning and memory deficit induced by AlCl3, which may be due to its inhibition of the AChE expression in hippocampus.

Protective effect of Cardiospermum halicacabum leaf extract on glycoprotein components on STZ-induced hyperglycemic rats

Objective:To investigate the protective role of Cardiospermum halicacabum(C.halicacabum) leaf extract on glycoprotein metabolism in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats.Methods: Diabetes was induced in male albino Wistar rats by intraperitonial administration of STZ.The C.halicacabum leaf extract(CHE) was administered orally to normal and STZ-diabetic rats for 45 days.The effects of C.halicacabum leaf extract(CHE) on plasma and tissue glycoproteins (hexose,hexosamine,fucose and sialic acid) were determined.Results:The levels of plasma and tissues glycoproteins containing hexose,hexosamine and fucose were significantly increased in STZ-induced diabetic rats.In addition,the level of sialic acid significantly increased in plasma and liver while decreased in kidney of STZ-induced diabetic rats.After administration of CHE to diabetic rats,the metabolic alteration of glycoprotein reverted towards normal levels. Conclusions:The present study indicates that the CHE possesses a protective effect on abnormal glycoprotein metabolism in addition to its antihyperglycemic activity.

Mosquitocidal properties of Solanum trilobatum L.(Solanaceae) leaf extracts against,three important human vector mosquitoes(Diptera:Culicidae)

Objective:To determine the larvicidal and pupicidal activites of Solanum trilobatum(S. trilobatum) leaf extracts against Aedes aegypti(Ae.aegypti),Culex quinquefasciatus(Cx. quinquefasciatus) and Anopheles stephensi(An.stephensi).Methods:The larvicidal and pupucidal was determined at five different concentrations of 50,100,150,200 and 250 ppm.Percentage of larval mortality was assessed after 48 h.Results:Methanol extracts of S.trilobatum was found to be more susceptible against the larvae of Ae.aegypti.Cx.quinquefasciatus and An.stephensi at 250 ppm with a LC_(50) value of 125.43,127.77 and 116.64 ppm respectively.Leaf methanol extracts of S.trilobatum also exhibited pupicidal and adult emergence properties.Conclusions:These results suggested that the leaf extracts of S.Irilobalum showed potential to be used as an ideal ecofriendly approach for the control of the Ae.Aegypti,Cx.quinquefasciatus and An.stephensi.

Soybean (<i>Glycine Max</i>) Leaf Extract Based Green Synthesis of Palladium Nanoparticles

Palladium (Pd) nanoparticles were synthesized using protein rich soybean leaf extract based biological process. Reduction of palladium ions by soybean leaf extract was examined by UV-visible spectroscopic technique. It was believed that the proteins and some of the amino acids that are exist in soybean leaf extracts were actively involved in the reduction of palladium ions. Further it was confirmed by Fourier transformations infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analysis. These amino acids are not only involving in the reduction of palladium ions but also acting as surfactants that inhibits the rapid agglomeration. The phase purity of the synthesized palladium nanoparticles was investigated through X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis and the obtained pattern was compared with JCPDS data. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images of the palladium particles were recorded and the particle size was found to be ~15 nm.

Comparative evaluation of modified neem leaf, neem leaf and woodash extracts on soil fertility improvement, growth and yields of maize (<i>Zea mays</i>L.) and watermelon (<i>Citrullus lanatus</i>) (Sole and Intercrop)

Two field experiments were carried out at Akure (7oN, 5o101E) in the rainforest zone of Nigeria in 2006 and 2007 to determine the effectiveness of neem leaf, woodash and modified neem leaf extracts as fertilizer sources in improving soil fertility, growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L) and watermelon (Citrulus lanatus) sole and intercrop. There were six treatments namely, poultry manure, neem leaf extract (sole), woodash extract, modified neem leaf (neem leaf + woodash), NPK 15-15-15 and a control (no fertilizer nor extract), replicated three times and arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCB). The extracts (neem leaf, wood ash and modified neem leaf) were applied at 1200 litres per hectare each, NPK 15-15-15 at 300 kg/ha and poultry was applied at 6t/ha. The results showed that there were significant increases (P 2O), K, Ca, Mg, Na, O.M, P and N compared to NPK 15-15-15 and neem leaf extract. For instance, modified neem leaf extract increased soil pH (H2O), K, Ca, Mg, Na, O.M, P and N by 12.4%, 32.8%, 25%, 23.7%, 19.32%, 17.24% and 20% respectively compared to neem leaf extract under intercrop plot. The high soil K/Ca, K/Mg and P/Mg ratios in the NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer treatment led to an imbalance in the supply of P, K, Ca and Mg nutrients to maize and watermelon crops. The least values for growth, yield and soil parameters were recorded under the control treatment. In these experiments, modified neem leaf extract (woodash + neem leaf extracts) applied at 1200 litres/ha was the most effective in improving soil fertility, growth and yield of maize and watermelon (sole and intercrop) and could substitute for 6 tons per hectare of poultry manure and 300kg/ha of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer.

Anti-angiogenesis and anti-inflammatory effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract in the early stages of streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in rats

Objective:To investigate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on angiogenesis and inflammatory process in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy.Methods:Four weeks after a single injection of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin,rats were treated with 100 or 200 mg/kg/day Moringa oleifera leaf extract,1 mg/kg/day dapagliflozin,or a combination of Moringa oleifera leaf extract and dapagliflozin for further eight weeks.Renal function,kidney histology,and gene expression were evaluated at the end of the experiment.Results:Renal function of diabetic rats was significantly impaired as evidenced by increased blood urea nitrogen,albuminuria,24-h proteinuria,and high creatinine clearance which indicated glomerular hyperfiltration.In addition,diabetic rats showed an increase in gene expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor-A(VEGF-A),angiopoietin-2(Ang2),the Ang2/Ang1 ratio,tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1βand monocyte chemoattractant protein-1.Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated a significant increase in the density of glycoprotein CD34.Moringa oleifera leaf extract markedly improved all renal dysfunction markers and modulated the upregulated expression of angiogenic factors and inflammatory genes.Conclusions:Moringa oleifera leaf extract could suppress abnormal angiogenesis and inflammatory processes possibly by downregulating gene expression of angiogenesis factors and proinflammatory cytokines.

Sedative effects of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) leaf aqueous extracts on brain ATP, AMP, Adenosine and Glutamate/GABA of rats

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) leaf aqueous extracts (PLAE) has been reputed to be a type of sleep-aid in China. To investigate the sedative effects and effect pathways of PLAE, rats (n = 31) were employed in two experiments and intragastrically administrated of (1) distilled water, PLAE (500 mg/kg body weight (BW)) and peanut stem aqueous extracts (PSAE, 500 mg/kg BW);(2) 0, 100 or 500 mg/kg BW of PLAE, respectively for at least 14 days. Six relevant neurotransmitters were measured finally. Experiment-1 (n = 16) results showed that the brain Lactate were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in rat cerebrums after PLAE administrations, compared with Control and PSAE groups. In respect of brain energy system, significant degradations of the brain adenosine triphos- phate (ATP) (p < 0.05) were observed in the brainstems and even the whole brains of rats though PLAE treatments. Moreover, we found that the brain Adenosine monophosphate (AMP) were clearly decreased (p < 0.05) in rat cerebrum and brainstem regions, while the brain Adenosine revealed an increasing propensity (p = 0.076) in the cerebrums of freely behaving rats. After experiment-2 (n = 15), the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations were statistically (p < 0.05) enhanced and the ratios of Glutamate/GABA were simultaneously reduced (p < 0.05) in rat brainstems, no matter which one dose (100 or 500 mg/kg BW) of PLAE were used. Results indicated that PLAE could influence the target neurotransmitters that related to rat circadian rhythms in the specific brain regions, possessing the potentialities as a sedative or sleep-aid for hypnic therapy purposes.

Ginkgo biloba leaf extract effects on inducible nitric oxide synthase, Bcl-2, and Bax expression in rat models of spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND：Ginkgo biloba leaf extract exhibits neuroprotective effects in spinal cord injury. However, the mechanisms of action remain unclear. OBJECTIVE： To investigate inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） and Bcl-2/Bax expression in the injured spinal cord, and to explore the neuroprotective mechanisms of ginkgo biloba leaf extract in rats with spinal cord injury. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： The randomized, controlled, cell molecular biology experiment was performed at Soochow University, China from March 2007 to March 2008. MATERIALS： A total of 120 healthy, adult Sprague Dawley rats were selected for this study. Rat models of moderate acute thoracic （T9） spinal cord injury were established using the modified Allen method. Shuxuening injection was obtained from Zhenbaodao Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., China. Methylprednisolone was purchased from North China Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. METHODS： All rats were equally and randomly divided into four groups. Only the spinal cord was exposed in the sham operation group rats. In the trauma group, rats were not treated with drugs following spinal cord injury. Rats in the hormone group were intraperitoneally injected with 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone following spinal cord injury. Rats in the ginkgo biloba leaf extract group were intraperitoneally infused with a 1.0 mL/kg Shuxuening injection per day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： At 1 hour, as well as 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days after spinal cord injury, iNOS- and Bcl-2/Bax-positive cells were quantified with immunohistochemistry. Pathological changes were detected using hematoxylineosin staining under an optical microscope. RESULTS： Spinal cord injury in the ginkgo biloba leaf extract and hormone groups was milder compared with the trauma group. Demyelination was significantly ameliorated and the necrotic cavity was obviously reduced in the injured spinal cord of rats in the ginkgo biloba leaf extract and hormone groups at each time point. iNOS expression was increased in the injured spinal cord, and reached a peak at 5 days. The number of iNOS-positive cells was lower in the ginkgo biloba leaf extract and hormone groups compared with the trauma group （P 〈 0.05-0.01）. The number of iNOS-positive cells was lower in the ginkgo biloba leaf extract group compared with the hormone group at 7 and 14 days after spinal cord injury （P 〈 0.05）. Bcl-2 expression reached a peak at 3 days, and Bax expression reached a peak at 5 days following rat spinal cord injury. Bcl-2 expression was increased, but Bax expression was decreased in the ginkgo biloba leaf extract and hormone groups compared with the trauma group （P 〈 0.05-0.01）. Bcl-2 expression was greater, but Bax expression was reduced in the ginkgo biloba leaf extract group compared with the hormone group at 7 and 14 days after spinal cord injury （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Ginkgo biloba leaf extract exhibits neuroprotective effects by upregulating Bcl-2 expression, downregulating Bax expression, and significantly inhibiting high expressions of iNOS in the injured spinal cord. The neuroprotective effects of ginkgo biloba leaf extract are greater compared with methylprednisolone at 1 week after spinal cord injury.

Inhibitory effects of Albizia lebbeck leaf extracts on germination and growth behavior of some popular agricultural crops

An experiment was conducted to observe the inhibitory effects of the leaf extracts derived from Albizia lebbeck （L.） Benth. On germination and growth behavior of some popular agricultural crops （receptor） of Bangladesh. Experiments were set on sterilized petridishes with a photoperiod of 24 h at room temperature of 27-30℃. The effects of the different concentrations of aqueous extracts were compared to distil water （control.）. The aqueous extracts of leaf caused significant inhibitory effect on germination, root and shoot elongation and development of lateral roots of receptor plants. Bioassays indicated that the inhibitory effect was proportional to the concentrations of the extracts and higher concentration （50%-100%） had the stronger inhibitory effect whereas the lower concentration （10%-25%） showed stimulatory effect in some cases. The study also revealed that, inhibitory effect was much pronounced in root and lateral root development rather than germination and shoot growth.

The leaf extract of crofton weed(Eupatorium adenophorum)inhibits primary root growth by inducing cell death in maize root border cells

The extract of crofton weed(Eupatorium adenophorum) inhibits seed germination and weed growth;however,the physiological mechanisms underlying the effect of crofton weed extract on the modulation of seedling growth and root system development remain largely unclear.In this study,we investigated the effects of the leaf extract of crofton weed(LECW) on primary root(PR) growth in maize seedlings.Treatment with LECW markedly inhibited seed germination and seedling growth in a dose-dependent manner.Physiological analysis indicated that the LECW induced reactive oxygen species(ROS) accumulation in root tips,thereby leading to cell swelling and deformation both in the root cap and elongation zone of root tips,finally leading to cell death in root border cells(RBCs) and PR growth inhibition.The LECW also inhibited pectin methyl esterase(PME) activity,thereby decreasing the RBC number.Taken together,our results indicated that the LECW inhibited PR growth by inducing ROS accumulation and subsequent cell death in RBCs.The present study provides a better understanding of how the LECW modifies root system development and provides insight for evaluating the toxicity of crofton weed extracts in plants.

Efficacy of aqueous leaf extracts and synthetic insecticide on pod-sucking bugs infestation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) in the Guinea Sa-vanna Region of Nigeria

Pod-sucking bugs (PSBs) infestation by Ano-plocnemissp./ Riptortussp./Clavigrallasp./Nezaraviridula( Linnaeus) greatly limits cowpea (Vignaunguiculata (L.) Walp) production throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The efficacy of aqueous leaf extracts (ALEs) (5 percent weight/volume concentration) of three botanicals and one synthetic insecticide against PSBs infestation was thus evaluated. The botanicals tested include Aza- dirachtaindicaA. Juss, Chromolaenaodorata (L.) and Ricinuscommunis (L.), whilst the synthetic insecticide was Uppercot 500 EC ( Lambda cyhalothrin 30 g + Dimethoate 250 g ). The effects of these treatments on the number of PSBs/ pods/seeds, pod/seed weight and grain yield were assessed during 2008 and 2009 rainy seasons in Bayo, Borno State, Guinea Savanna region, Nigeria. The number of PSBs was lower on crops treated with Uppercot 500 EC (0.00 - 0.31). This was followed by crops treated with the ALEs ofA.indica/C.odorata (0.31 - 1.33) and R.communis (0.72 - 3.72) than the untreated (3.06 - 5.64) ones.The number of pods/pod weight per plant, seeds/seed weight per pod and total grain yield were generally higher on cowpea crops treated with Uppercot 500 EC (26/17 g, 14/19 g and 1618 kg). This was followed bycrops treated with the ALEs of A.indica/C.odorata (23 - 25/14 - 15 g, 12 - 13/15 g and 1268 - 1310 kg) and R.communis( 21/13 g, 11/14 g and 972 kg) than the untreated (16/9 g, 7/10 g and 312 kg) ones. Although Uppercot 500 EC was most effective inprotecting cowpea against PSBs attack, theALEs of A.indica and C.odorata appreciably protected treated crops against infestation, giving relatively high total grain yield. Both botanical scan thus serve as alternatives to synthetic insecticides for managing PSBs attack on cowpea.

Modulatory Effect of Distillate of Ocimum sanctum Leaf Extract (Tulsi) on Human Lymphocytes Against Genotoxicants

Objective To study the modulatory effect of distillate of Ocimum sanctum （traditionally known as Tulsi） leaf extract （DTLE） on genotoxicants. Methods In the present investigation, we studied the antigenotoxic and anticlastogenic effect of distillate of Tulsi leaf extract on （i） human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by evaluating the DNA strand break without metabolic activation against mitomycin C （MMC） and hexavalent chromium （Cr^＋6） and （ii） human peripheral lymphocytes （in vitro） with or without metabolic activation against mitomycin C （MMC）, hexavalent chromium （Cr^＋6） and B[a]P by evaluating chromosomal aberration （CA） and micronucleus assay （MN）. Three different doses of DTLE, 50 μL/mL, 100 μL/mL, and 200 μL/mL were selected on the basis of cytotoxicity assay and used for studying DNA strand break, chromosomal aberration and micronucleus emergence. The following positive controls were used for inducing genotoxicity and clastogenicity MMC （0.29 μmol/L） for DNA strand break, chromosomal aberration and 0.51 μmol/L for micronucleus assay; Potassium dichromate （Cr^＋6） 600 μmol/L for DNA strand break and 5 μmol/L for chromosomal aberration and micronucleus assay; Benzo[a]pyrene （30 μmol/L） for chromosomal aberration and 40 μmol/L for micronucleus assay. The active ingredients present in the distillate of Tulsi leaf extract were identified by HPLC and LC-MS. Results Mitomycin C （MMC） and hexavalent chromium （Cr^＋6） induced statistically significant DNA strand break of respectively 69% and 71% （P〈0.001） as revealed by fluorometric analysis of DNA unwinding. Furthermore, the damage could be protected with DTLE （50 μL/mL, 100 μL/mL, and 200 μL/mL） on simultaneous treatment. Chromosomal aberration and micronucleus formation induced by MMC, Cr^＋6 and B[a]P were significantly protected （P〈0.001） by DTLE with and without metabolic activation. Conclusion Distillate of Tulsi leaf extract possesses antioxidants contributed mainly by eugenol, luteolin and apigenin as identified by LC-MS. These active ingredients may have the protective effect against genotoxicants.