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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Preliminary studies of acute and sub-chronic toxicity of the aqueous extract of Guibourtia tessmannii(Harms) J.Leonard stem barks (Caesalpiniaceae) in mice and rats

Objective: To investigate the toxicity of aqueous extract of Guibourtia tessmannii(Harms) J. Leonard(G. tessmannii) and evaluate its safety.Methods: NMRI mice were used to determine the acute toxicity of G. tessmannii.Increasing concentrations of the plant extracts were administered intraperitoneally or by force-feeding. General behavior and death were monitored and recorded daily for 7 days.In order to determine the sub-acute toxicity of the extract, several doses were administered by oral gavage daily for 28 days in adult Wistar rats. Different parameters were assessed including body weight, food and water intake, biochemical parameters and several vital organ weights.Results: LD50 of 328.78 mg/kg was obtained by i.p. route and more than 5 000 mg/kg was obtained in acute toxicity by oral route. In sub-acute toxicity, no significant alteration was observed in body weight or vital organs, food and water intake, and biochemical parameters.Conclusions: The results showed that the aqueous extract of G. tessmannii has low toxicity intraperitoneally and no sub-acute toxicity via oral intake.

Involvement of Antioxidative Defense System in Rice Seedlings Exposed to Aluminum Toxicity and Phosphorus Deficiency

Plants growing in acid soils may suffer both phosphorus （P） deficiency and aluminum （Al） toxicity.Hydroponic experiments were undertaken to assess the single and combination effects of Al toxicity and low P stress on seedling growth,chlorophyll and proline contents,antioxidative response and lipid peroxidation of two rice genotypes （Yongyou 8 and Xiushui 132） differing in Al tolerance.Al toxicity and P deficiency both inhibited rice seedling growth.The development of toxic symptoms was characterized by reduced chlorophyll content,increased proline and malondialdehyde contents in both roots and leaves,and increased peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in roots,but decreased in leaves.The stress condition induced more severe growth inhibition and oxidative stress in Yongyou 8,and Xiushui 132 showed higher tolerance to both Al toxicity and P deficiency.P deficiency aggravated Al toxicity to plant growth and induced more severe lipid peroxidation.

Census Ethnobotanical Study of Some Plants Used in Traditional Medicine in the City of Meknes

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.

Determination of Elements by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry in Medicinal Plants Employed to Alleviate Common Cold Symptoms

Eleven important medicinal plants generally used by the people of Turkey for the treatment of common cold have been studied for their mineral contents.Eleven minor and major elements(essential,non-essential and toxic)were identified in the Asplenium adiantum-nigrum L.,Althaea officinalis L.,Verbascum phlomoides L.,Euphorbia chamaesyce L.,Zizyphus jujube Miller,Peganum harmala L.,Arum dioscoridis Sm.,Sambucus nigra L.,Piper longum L.,Tussilago farfara L.and Elettaria cardamomum Maton by employing flame atomic absorption and emission spectrometry and electro-thermal atomic absorption spectrometry.Microwave digestion procedure for total concentration was applied under optimized conditions for dissolution of medicinal plants.Plant based biological certified reference materials(CRMs)served as standards for quantification.These elements are found to be present in varying concentrations in the studied plants.The baseline data presented in this work can be used in understanding the role of essential,non-essential and toxic elements in nutritive,preventive and therapeutic properties of medicinal plants.

Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Extracts from the Leaves of Five Plants Used for the Treatment of Arterial Hypertension in Benin

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are nowadays real health problems in the world. High blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors for CVD and is affecting more and more people in Benin. The objective of our work is to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of the leaves of five plants used for the treatment of hypertension in Benin. Acute toxicity was evaluated on wistar rats which orally administered a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of body weight of hydro-ethanolic extract of the leaves of Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn., Persea americana MILL., Ipomoaea fistulosa Mart. ex Choisy., Heliotropium indicum L., Schrankia leptocarpa DC., and were monitored over a period of 14 days. Subacute toxicity was evaluated on rats which received a daily dose of 200 mg/kg of body weight of the plant leaf extract over a period of 28 days. Plant efficacy was assessed by measuring potassium in plant leaves. Administration of the single dose of the extract did not cause any deaths in rats;the weight of the rats varied depending on the extracts administered. Concerning the subacute treatment, the levels of aspartate amino transaminases (AST) and Alanine amino transaminases (AST) did not vary significantly after the 28 days of treatment with the different extracts. On the other hand, a significant increase in serum creatinine was observed in rats treated with extracts of Phyllanthus amarus. The leaves of Heliotropium indicum, Ipomoaea fistulosa and Phyllanthus amarus contain the highest levels of potassium. Among the five plants studied, only the leaves of Phyllanthus amarus seem to induce renal toxicity. Extracts from the leaves of Heliotropium indicum, Ipomoaea fistulosa might be the most effective in inducing hypotensive activity and do not show toxicity.

Effects of plant latex based anti-termite formulations on Indian white termite <i>Odontotermes obesus</i>(Isoptera: Odontotermitidae) in sub-tropical high infestation areas

In the present investigation various bioassays were conducted to evaluate the anti-termite efficacy of plant latex based formulations to control population of Indian white termite in subtropical soil. Results reveal that crude latex, its fractions and combinatorial fractions have shown very high toxicity against O. obesus. The LD50 values for different latex fractions of 24 h were in a range of 5.0-17.613 μg/mg while combined mixtures of Calotropis procera have shown synergistic activity against termites and caused comparably high mortality with LD50 1.987-6.016 μg/mg. The mortality rate was found dose and time dependent as it was found to be increased with an increase in dose and exposure period. In olfactometry tests, C. procera latex solvent fractions have shown significant repellency at a very low dose 0.010-0.320 μg/mg. Interestingly, solvent fractions have significantly repelled large numbers of worker termites due to volatile action of active components of latex and different additives. ED50 values obtained in crude latex were 0.121 μg/mg body weights while combinatorial formulations have shown ED50 in between 0.015-0.036 μg/mg. Statistical analysis of repelled and un-repelled termites gave a low Chi-square value (X2 value = 0.890) which is an indicator of independence of repellent action in randomly selected termite groups. In field experiments pre-soaked cotton threads impregnated with Calotropis procera crude latex were tagged around tree trunks of Tectona grandis provided a wider protection against O. obesus. By employing these pre-coated threads, termite infestation and tunneling activity were significantly decreased (p Calotropis procera possesses enough anti-termite potential against Indian white termite, O. obesus population. If used these, formulations may also provide wide a range of control against other kinds of pests including house hold, medical and veterinary. However, Calotropis procera latex based formulations can be recommended for effective control of termites in high infestation areas by applying spray, or in form of poison baits or as fumigant in pure form.

In Vitro Antifungal Activity of the Extract and Compound from Acorus tatarinowii Against Seven Plant Pathogenic Fungi

Acorus tatarinowii Schott is a traditional Chinese medicine plant and has multiple bioactivities in medicine and pesticide field. In this study, the antifungal compound 1,2-dimethoxy-4（2-propenyl） benzene was isolated from A. tatarinowii Schott by activity-directed isolation method, and the inhibitory activity of the extract and 1,2-dimethoxy-4（2-propenyl） benzene against seven plant pathogenic fungi was evaluated. The results showed that the extract and 1,2-dimethoxy-4（2- propenyl） benzene had high inhibitory activity against hyphal growth of Thielaviopsis paradoxa （de Seynes） V. Hohnel, Pestalotia mangiferae P. Henn., Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum （E. F. Smith） Syn. et Hans., Alternaria alternate Tanaka, Colletotrichum musae （Berk et Curt） V. Arx, Sphaceloma fawcettii Jenk., and Mycosphaerella sentina （Fr.） Schroter. The EC50 values of extract were 1.6162, 1.6811, 1.1253, 3.5771, 1.7024, 2.2284, and 2.2221 g L^-1, respectively, and the EC50 values of 1,2-dimethoxy-4（2-propenyl） benzene were 0.1021, 0.0997, 0.0805, 0.1742, 0.1503, 0.1853, and 0.1924 g L^-1, respectively. 1,2-Dimethoxy-4（2-propenyl） benzene also inhibited spores germination of T. paradoxa （de Seynes） V. Hohnel and F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum （E. F. Smith） Syn. et Hans., with the inhibitory rates of 98.81 and 100% at a concentration of 0.4 g L^-1 after 8 h, respectively. 1,2-Dimethoxy-4（2-propenyl） benzene is a potential botanical antifungal agent for controling of plant fungal diseases.

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。

土壤酸化条件下植物响应铝毒时钙与铝交互作用的研究进展

随着土壤酸化问题日益严重,铝(Al)毒已成为我国酸性土壤中作物生长和粮食生产的主要限制因子之一。Al^(3+)通过与植物细胞骨架相互作用,对植物根系生理功能和形态建成造成不利影响。当前,Al毒害及植物耐Al机制尚不清晰。钙(Ca)作为植物生长必需的矿质元素,胞内自由Ca^(2+)作为第二信使在植物正常的生长发育以及抗逆响应过程中发挥着重要作用。Ca和Al的互作关系早已引起研究人员的关注,已有相关研究证实Ca能缓解Al毒害的影响。本文主要综述了近年来植物响应Al毒时Ca和Al交互作用的研究进展,并简要论述展望今后的研究方向。

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。