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1. The insect Heliothis subflexa Guenee is a specialist on plants in the genus Physalis. In the present study, the physical response of Physalis leaves to egg deposition by H. subflexa is described. 2. It was observed that the leaves of Physalis plants respond to the eggs of H. subflexa, while co-occurring non-host plants do not. Leaves of Physalis angulata L. and Physalis pubescens L. respond to H. subflexa eggs by the formation of (i) necrotic tissue, (ii) undifferentiated cells that form a bump (neoplasm) under the eggs of this herbivore, or (iii) both types of responses. 3. Greenhouse experiments showed that 64% of eggs laid on P. angulata elicited a response, and that a response to an egg decreased the probability of hatching. Further experiments in the field with P. angulata showed that the mean response to eggs by leaves was 31%, and that this response increased as temperature increased. Field experiments also confirmed that a plant response to an egg decreased the probability of hatching and increased the probability of removal from the plant by physical dislodgement or predation. 4. Eggs that elicited a response had a 25% lower probability of hatching and a 28% lower probability of remaining on the plant, resulting in an average fitness cost of 19.3% for H. subflexa. This is the first study to show an induced direct physical defence of a plant against eggs of a noctuid moth.

We have previously reported the anti-inflammatory potential and the possible underlying mechanisms of Withangulatin A (WA), which is an active component isolated from Physalis angulata L. Here, we demonstrated that WA might improve the life quality, as well as reduced the accumulation of proteinuria symptoms and levels of anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies in MRL/lpr mice. Moreover, WA could improve renal histopathologic characteristics of MRL/lpr mice. Intriguingly, expression of B cell-activating factor (BAFF), BAFF-R and related gene in the spleen were significantly reduced in 10 mg/kg WA-treated mice compared with that in 5 mg/kg WA-treated mice and untreated mice. These findings indicate that WA might have a pleiotropic therapeutic effect through their immunosuppression via inhibiting BAFF signaling, which suggest a potential application of this active constituent in the treatment of SLE.

Fruit abscission as a response to herbivory is well-documented in many plant species, but its effect on further damage by mobile herbivores that survive fruit abscission is relatively unstudied. Physalis plants (Solanaceae) abscise fruit containing feeding larvae of their main frugivore, Heliothis subflexa Guenee (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a specialist moth. We tested the ability of H. subflexa larvae placed under the plant canopy to find and climb onto two architecturally different Physalis species. Physalis pubescens L., a low, shrub-like, spreading plant, abscises its fruit at a higher rate than Physalis angulata L., a tall arborescent plant. As a result, small larvae are more often dropped from P. pubescens . Third and fifth instars located P. pubescens faster and with a higher probability than P. angulata . Although fifth instars outperformed third-instar caterpillars at finding P. angulata , P. pubescens was located equally fast by the two instars. Heliothis subflexa located Physalis plants more successfully and more quickly than a close relative, the generalist Heliothis virescens Fabricius. The higher fruit abscission rates in P. pubescens may be an evolved response to its greater susceptibility to searching caterpillars.

Several inflammatory diseases are thought to be related to oxidative injury and free oxygen radicals have been proposed as important causative agents of heart disease and aging. To investigate the effects of daily intake of medicinal plants on antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation and lipid profiles in rat, 28 rats were randomly divided into four groups and administered with three plant extracts (0.2 g/kg body weight): Piper cubeba (fruit), Physalis angulata (flower), Rosa hybrida (flower) and with saline as a control. After 3 weeks, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol levels in plasma were measured. The SOD activity of the Piper cubeba group and the catalase activity of the Piper cubeba and Rosa hybrida groups were significantly increased compared with the control group, while the SOD and catalase activities of the Physalis angulata group were not significantly changed (p

Crude extracts and fractions from aerial parts of Physalis angulata have been bioassayed for antimycobacterial activity. Fraction A1-29-12 containing physalins B, F and D exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration value (MIC) against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain of 32 μg/mL. Purified physalin B and physalin D were also tested showing MIC values against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain of >128 μg/mL and 32 μg/mL respectively, suggesting that physalin D plays a relevant role in the antimycobacterial activity displayed. Structural elucidation of both physalins D and B was based on detailed 13C and 1H NMR spectral analysis with the aid of 2D-correlation spectroscopy (1H-1H, COSY, HSQC and HMBC). The assignment of the 13C chemical shift for physalin D is reported here for the first time. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Heliothis subflexa and H. virescens are the only known hosts of the parasitoid Cardiochiles nigriceps. H. subflexa, a specialist on plants in the genus Physalis, appears to have a lower parasitism rate compared to the polyphagous H. virescens. Physalis is characterized by producing fruits that are concealed within a paper-like lantern, within which H. subflexa larvae feed. We conducted an experiment to determine whether H. subflexa is protected from parasitism by feeding within the lanterns of Physalis. We compared parasitism rates of wild H. subflexa larvae on normal P. angulata plants to parasitism rates of larvae on plants that had the tips of all the lanterns removed to allow parasitoids access to the larvae. A higher percentage of larvae were parasitized on plants with cut lanterns (48.25%) than uncut lanterns (6.74%). A second experiment was conducted to determine whether volatiles released from cut lanterns influenced the searching of C. nigriceps. This experiment consisted of the two treatments from the previous experiment and a third in which the tips of lanterns were removed and the resulting hole was stapled shut. Cutting plants did not make the plants more attractive to searching parasitoids. We conclude that H. subflexa gains protection from parasitism by feeding within the inflated calyx of Physalis.

In this work, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique was developed for the extraction of total polyphenols from Physalis angulata. Several parameters of the MAE procedure (ethanol concentration, irradiation power, extraction time and liquid-to-solid ratio) were assessed through an experimental Box-Behnken design (four variables and three levels). Results indicated a variation from 3.74 to 0.03 mg GAE/g of extract (total polyphenol), 7.77 to 0.5 mg/L (gallic acid), 0.55 to 0.27 mg/L (ellagic acid), 0.26 to 0.02 mg/L (caffeic acid), 0.86 to 0.25 mg/L (rutin) and 2.43 to 0.89 mg/L (mangiferin), and different effects were observed depending on the compounds. In summary, MAE may be used as a suitable approach for the selective extraction of total polyphenols from Physalis angulata. Practical Applications Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) is a potential technique to obtain total phenolic compounds from vegetable sources. This approach increases the yields and reduces the extraction time and the consumption of solvent compared with traditional extraction methods. Extract from Physalis angulata shows high polyphenol content and ethnopharmacological value which may be applied as preservative (in food industry) or due to its biological properties (antioxidant, antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory).

The functionality of the A/B ring moiety of physalin H [2], a 16,24-cyclo-13,14-secosteroidal constituent of Physalis angulata, was revised as 5α-chloro-6β-hydroxy-2-en-1-one, after being erroneously assigned as 7β-hydroxy-2,5-dien-1-one

Withangulatin A (WA), an active component isolated from Physalis angulata L., has been reported to possess anti-tumor and trypanocidal activities in model systems via multiple biochemical mechanisms. The aim of this study is to investigate its anti-inflammatory potential and the possible underlying mechanisms. In the current study, WA significantly suppressed mice T lymphocytes proliferation stimulated with LPS in a dose- and time-dependent manner and inhibited pro-inflammation cytokines (IL-2, IFN-gamma, and IL-6) dramatically. Moreover, WA targeted inhibited COX-2 expression mediated by MAPKs and NF-kappaB nuclear translocation pathways in mice T lymphocytes, and this result was further confirmed by the COX-1/2 luciferase reporter assay. Intriguingly, administration of WA inhibited the extent of mice ear swelling and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines production in mice blood serum. Based on these evidences, WA influences the mice T lymphocytes function through targeted inhibiting COX-2 expression via MAPKs and NF-kappaB nuclear translocation signaling pathways, and this would make WA a strong candidate for further study as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Structure, color, growth habit, and pubescence of plants, in addition to chemical characteristics, affect acceptability of plants as potential food, refuge, or oviposition sites for insects; however, the impact of physical characteristics of plants on egglaying by the tobacco budworm moth, Heliothis virescens (F.), is poorly understood. This study was undertaken to determine the physical attributes, especially trichome types and growth habit, that may influence oviposition by gravid H. virescens females on several species of plants. The types and densities of trichomes found on the leaves of eight plant species, pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth], crimson clover (Trifodium incarnatum L.), Texas bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis Hooker), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), velvetleaf (Abuliton theophrasti Medikus), rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L'Her.), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), and groundcherry (Physalis angulata L.) were investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy

A new withanolide, withangulatin I (2), was isolated from the whole plant of Physalis angulata. Its structure was established as (20S,22R)-15alpha-acetoxy-5beta,6beta-epoxy-14alpha-hydroxy-1,4-dioxo-witha-2,16,24-trienolide on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic methods including 2D-NMR and circular dichroism (CD) experiments. Withangulatin A (1) and withangulatin I (2) were tested for their cytotoxic activities against two human cancer cell lines, colorectal carcinoma COLO 205 and gastric carcinoma AGS, in vitro. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited inhibitory activities against these two human cancer cells with IC(50) values of 16.6 and 1.8 and 53.6 and 65.4 muM, respectively.

The relative attractiveness of velvet leaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medicus), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) (host plants) and groundcherry (Physalis angulata L.) (nonhost plant), and cotton plants with or without nectaries and with or without glands to Microplitis croceipes Cresson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was determined in a wind tunnel. Female parasitoids flew significantly more to glandless than to glanded cotton; response to nectaried and nectariless cotton was similar. Velvet leaf and cotton were favored significantly over groundcherry; parasitoids being equally responsive to both host plant species. Addition of larval frass alone or in combination with host larvae significantly improved the attractivity of the nonhost plant (groundcherry) to the parasitoids. There was no difference in attractiveness of groundcherry terminals with or without host larvae. Parasitoid search time was significantly increased with addition of larval frass. In the presence of cotton, however, kairomone-treated groundcherry remained unattractive. Resume Reactions dans un tunnel a vent de Microplitis croceipes (Hymenoptera braconidae) aux plantes hotes ou non de Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera Noctuidae) L'influence des nectaires et des glandes du coton, et l'attractivite des feuilles veloutees du coton (plante hote) et de Physalis angulata sur Microplitis croceipes, ont ete determinees dans des experiences avec tunnel a vent. Les resultats ont montre que les parasitoides femelles sont significativement plus attires par les cotons sans glandes que par les cotons glanduleux, tandis que la presence ou l'absence de nectaires ne modifie pas l'attractivite du coton. Elles reagissent de la meme facon aux feuilles veloutees. P. angulata traite avec des crottes de chenilles, presente seul ou en combinaison avec du coton, attire plus de femelles que des pousses de P. angulata non traitees. L'addition de chenilles hotes seules n'ameliore pas significativement l'attractivite de la plante. P. angulata traite avec des kairomones est demeure inattractif quand il etait propose en meme temps que du coton.

SUMMARY The Nigerian National Horticultural Research Institute experimental and commercial farm has a long history of okra mosaic virus (OMV) disease. In an attempt to determine possible sources of inoculum, weeds growing within or around the vicinity of the farm were investigated. Several weeds showed virus or virus-like disease symptoms and mechanical inoculation of crude sap from three malvaceous weeds (Abutilon hirtum, Sida acuta, and Malvastrum coromandelianum) and one solanaceous weed (Physalis angulata) induced symptoms of OMV on okra test seedlings; serological tests confirmed the presence of OMV. Beetle vectors caught both from weeds and from okra were infective when confined on healthy okra seedlings for 48 h. Increase in the abundance of beetle vectors was accompanied by an increase in the incidence of OMV disease. The implications of these findings in the epidemiology and control of OMV are discussed.

When given a choice of cotton (host) and ground cherry (non host) in a close range situation, Heliothis virescens (F.), the tobacco budworm, depends primarily on contact chemoreception and mechanoreception, and not olfaction or vision, to discriminate between these two plant species for oviposition. Further, in the presence of a certain level of hairiness (the non-host plant, ground cherry, has short capitate hairs), the females are capable of discriminating between these two plants based on contact chemosensory cues, if at least one pair of tarsi is intact. The contact chemosensilla on the ovipositor do not seem to be important for this purpose. These results are discussed in relation to the sensory cues and receptors for oviposition in other Lepidoptera, especially moths. Resume Signaux et recepteurs sensoriels intervenant dans la ponte d'Heliothis virescens Les differentes recepteurs sensoriels (chimique, mecanique et visuel) des femelles d'H. virescens ont ete rendus inactifs par traitement a l'acide, anten-notectomie ou peinture des yeux avec un enduit noir du type vernis a ongles, pour etudier le determinisme sensoriel de la selection des hǒtes lors de la ponte; les papillons avaient le choix entre le coton (Gossypium hirsutum), sur lequel ils pondent normalement, et Physalis angulata sur lequel on n'observe pas de pontes dans la nature. Au laboratoire, a faible distance, le choix de H. virescens dependait en premier lieu des mecanorecepteurs et des recepteurs chimiques dits de contact (gustatifs), et non de la vision ou de l'olfaction. En presence d'un certain niveau de pilosite (P. angulata possede de courts poils capites), les femelles choisissent les plantes en fonction de la perception chimique dite de contact (gustation) tant qu'une paire de tarses reste intacte. Les sensilles chimiques de l'ovitube ne semblent pas jouer un rǒle important a cet egard. La discussion a examine ces resultats a la lumiere des processus sensoriels utilises par d'autres papillons.

SUMMARY A destructive streak disease of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) was observed on the University of Ife farm. The disease killed many plants and greatly diminished the quantity and quality of fruit produced by the other plants. A virus that is readily transmitted by mechanical inoculation, by the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) and by grafting was isolated consistently from diseased plants. The virus was propagated in Nicotiana occidentalis and assayed in Physalis angulata. It was infective after dilution to io-3 but not io-4; after iomin at 55 but not 60oC; or after 5 days but not 7 days at 20–26oC. Electron microscope examination of sap from infected N. occidentalis leaves revealed flexuous rods with a modal length of about 780 nm. Based on the host range and symptomatology, particle morphology and size, properties in vitro and serology, the virus is shown to be related to, and possibly indistinguishable from, pepper veinal mottle virus.