Muthiah Chellappandian

Impact of Terminalia chebula Retz. against Aedes aegypti L. and non-target aquatic predatory insects

Aedes aegypti Linn is one of the most important mosquito species. The vectors are responsible for causing deadly diseases like dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever. Several chemical pesticides used to control these dengue vectors caused severe toxic significances on human health and other non-target beneficial insects. Therefore the current investigation has been made to access the bio-efficacy of the crude seed extracts of T. chebula against the dengue vector Ae. aegypti. The GC-MS analysis of crude seed extracts of T. chebula identified nine chemical compounds with major peak area in the 1,2,3-Benzenetriol (61.96%), followed by Tridecanoic acid (09.55%). Ae. aegypti larvae showed dose dependent mortality rate was observed between the treatments. Prominent protection rate at greater concentrations of 100ppm and moderate protection at 75 and 50ppm was observed in the repellent assay. Lethal concentration (LC50 and LC90) of fourth instar larvae of Ae. aegypti was observed in 138 and 220ppm concentration respectively. Similarly, the seed extracts showed 100% adulticidal activity at the concentration of 400ppm at 30min of exposure time. Phytochemicals present in the seed extracts of T. chebula significantly affects the major portions of the midgut tissues of Ae. aegypti at the concentration of 100ppm. The toxicological evaluation of seed extracts also proved non-toxic towards the A. bouvieri and Tx. splendens aquatic predatory insects. Hence, the present result suggest that bio-rational plant derived T. chebula could be incorporated in the dengue vector control and have no adverse effects on non-target beneficial insects.

Comparative analysis of mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae: Aedes aegypti Liston) responses to the insecticide Temephos and plant derived essential oil derived from Piper betle L.

Resistance to treatments with Temephos or plant derived oil, Pb-CVO, between a field collected Wild Strain (WS) and a susceptible Laboratory Strain (LS) of Ae. aegypti were measured. The Temephos (0.1mg/L) showed the greatest percentage of mosquito mortality compared to Pb-CVO (1.5mg/L) in LS Ae. aegypti. However, WS Ae. aegypti was not significantly affected by Temephos (0.1mg/L) treatment compare to the Pb-CVO (1.5mg/L). However, both strains (LS and WS) when treated with Pb-CVO (1.5mg/L) displayed steady larval mortality rate across all instars. The LC50 of Temephos was 0.027mg in LS, but increased in WS to 0.081mg/L. The LC50 of Pb-CVO treatment was observed at concentrations of 0.72 and 0.64mg/L for LS and WS strains respectively. The enzyme level of α- and β-carboxylesterase was reduced significantly in both mosquito strains treated with Pb-CVO. Whereas, there was a prominent deviation in the enzyme ratio observed between LS and WS treated with Temephos. The GST and CYP450 levels were upregulated in the LS, but decreased in WS, after treatment with Temephos. However, treatment with Pb-CVO caused both enzyme levels to increase significantly in both the strains. Visual observations of the midgut revealed cytotoxicity from sub-lethal concentrations of Temephos (0.04mg/L) and Pb-CVO (1.0mg/L) in both strains of Ae. aegypti compared to the control. The damage caused by Temephos was slightly less in WS compared to LS mosquito strains.

Pinocembrin, a novel histidine decarboxylase inhibitor with anti-allergic potential in in vitro

ABSTRACT Pinocembrin (5, 7‐ dihydroxy flavanone) is the most abundant chiral flavonoid found in propolis, exhibiting antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti‐inflammatory properties. However, the effect of Pinocembrin on allergic response is unexplored. Thus, current study aimed at investigating the effects of Pinocembrin on IgE‐mediated allergic response in vitro. A special emphasis was directed toward histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and other pro‐allergic and pro‐inflammatory mediators. Preliminary studies, using a microbiological model of Klebsiella pneumoniae, provided first evidences that suggest Pinocembrin as a potential thermal stable inhibitor for HDC. Applying docking analysis revealed possible interaction between Pinocembrin and mammalian HDC. In vitro studies validated the predicted interaction and showed that Pinocembrin inhibits HDC activity and histamine in IgE‐sensitized RBL‐2H3 in response to dinitrophenol (DNP)‐bovine serum albumin (BSA) stimulation. In addition, Pinocembrin mitigated the damage in the mitochondrial membrane, formation of cytoplasmic granules and degranulation as indicated by lower &bgr;‐hexoseaminidase level. Interestingly, it reduced range of pro‐inflammatory mediators in the IgE‐mediated allergic response including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐&agr;, interleukin (IL)‐6, nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), phosphorylation of inhibitory kappa B (I&kgr;B)‐&agr;, prostaglandin (PGE)‐2 and cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2. In conclusion, current study suggests Pinocembrin as a potential HDC inhibitor, and provides the first evidences it is in vitro anti‐allergic properties, suggesting Pinocembrin as a new candidate for natural anti‐allergic drugs.

Bioassay guided fractionation and identification of active anti-inflammatory constituent from Delonix elata flowers using RAW 264.7 cells.

Abstract Context: Delonix elata (L.) Gamble (Fabaceae) has been used in the Indian traditional medicine system to treat rheumatism and inflammation. Aim: To assess the anti-inflammatory effect of Delonix elata flowers and to isolate the active principle. Materials and methods: The prompt anti-inflammatory constituent was isolated from Delonix elata flower extracts using bioassay guided fractionation in liposaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. The anti-inflammatory activity of extracts/fractions/sub-fractions/compounds (10, 25, and 50 µg/ml) was evaluated by estimating the levels of nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α, and IL-1β after 24 h of LPS induction (1 μg/ml). The isolated active compound was subjected to NMR, IR, and UV analyses for structure determination. Results: In an attempt to search for anti-inflammatory constituents, the active pure principle was isolated and crystallized as a white compound from Delonix elata flowers methanol extract. This active compound (50 µg/ml) decreased the release of inflammatory mediators levels such as NO (0.263 ± 0.03 µM), TNFα (160.20 ± 17.57 pg/ml), and IL-1β (285.79 ± 15.16 pg/ml) significantly (p < 0.05); when compared to the levels of NO (0.774 ± 0.08 µM), TNFα (501.71 ± 25.14 pg/ml), and IL-1β (712.68 ± 52.25 pg/ml) from LPS-stimulated macrophage cells. The active compound was confirmed as hesperidin with NMR, IR, and UV spectroscopy data. This is the first report of this compound from Delonix elata flowers. Conclusion: The findings of the study support the traditional use of Delonix elata flowers to treat inflammation.

Effect of Aspergillus flavus on the mortality and activity of antioxidant enzymes of Spodoptera litura Fab. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae

Insects have developed tolerance against mycoses caused by entomopathogenic fungi through several humoral and cellular mechanisms. Antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidase, and peroxidase can play a role in defense against mycosis, but the physiological interactions between the fungus and the insect are not well characterized. In this study, the effects of infection by entomopathogenic fungus, Aspergillus flavus on the antioxidant defense system of Spodoptera litura, were investigated. The fungi, A. flavus exposure resulted in modification of the levels of antioxidant enzymes, as well as significant decline in phenoloxidase titers and the total hemocyte count 48 h post exposure. A significant increase was observed in detoxifying enzymes. All these results suggest that A. flavus infects S. litura by directly acting on the immune system, resulting in decreased immune function. Bioassay results showed that A. flavus affects third and fourth instar larvae of S. litura. This report supports the importance of A. flavus as a candidate for biological control of S. litura.