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The paper presents Aspilia kotschyi (Sch.Bip. ex Hochst.) Oliv. (Asteraceae), a newly recorded genus of vascular plants, during the fieldwork in Fayfa region in the Southwest of Saudi Arabia. Flora books and scientific research papers dealing with the flora of Saudi Arabia have not mentioned any species of Aspilia genus. The taxon was found for the first time in Saudi Arabia, which makes a new addition and significant contribution to the flora of Saudi Arabia. The plant was seen near cultivated terraces and collected in September and October 2020 from Fayfa mountains, Jazan province, Southwest of Saudi Arabia. Morphological description, taxonomic remarks, distribution map, plant illustration, and plant photographs are provided.

Aspilia mossambicensis (Oliv.) Wild — Habit: Woody herb or shrub. Habitat: LMWF, LMDF; up to 2 300 m. Distribution: II. Voucher: Meru, Jun. 1934, Porter 760 (EA). Reference: Agnew (2013)., Published as part of Zhou, Ya-Dong, Mwachala, Geoffrey, Hu, Guang-Wan & Wang, Qing-Feng, 2022, Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Mount Kenya, East Africa, pp. 1-108 in Phytotaxa 546 (1) on page 90, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.546.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/6550464, {"references":["Agnew, A. D. Q. (2013) Upland Kenya wild flowers and ferns, 3 rd edn. Nature Kenya Publications, Nairobi, 733 pp."]}

Aspilia pluriseta Schweinf. ex Schweinf. — Habit: Woody herb or shrub. Habitat: LMDF; up to 2 200 m. Distribution: II. Voucher: Lower Imenti Forest, Alt. 1 520 m, 8 Aug. 2015, SAJIT 003858 (HIB). Reference: N/A., Published as part of Zhou, Ya-Dong, Mwachala, Geoffrey, Hu, Guang-Wan & Wang, Qing-Feng, 2022, Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Mount Kenya, East Africa, pp. 1-108 in Phytotaxa 546 (1) on page 90, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.546.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/6550464

The experiment was conducted to examine the effect of feeding varying dietary levels of Moringa oleifera meal (MOM), Aspilia africana meal (AAM) and Azadirachta indica meal (AIM) on performance, blood indices and carcass yield of grower rabbits. Eight one rabbits were grouped into 9 treatment, each treatment were replicated thrice, containing 3 rabbits per replicate. Diets containing MOM, AAM and AIM at 0, 15 and 30% respectively were formulated. Rabbits fed inclusion levels of 15%, 30% MOM and 15% AAM (4.92g, 4.90g and 4.95 g respectively) had the best feed conversion ratio. However, the inclusion of 30% MOM in the diet increased the weight gain and better protein intake. The nitrogen intake, nitrogen absorbed and retention followed the same trend. Inclusion levels of the leaves had no negative effect on the blood indices of rabbit fed the dietary treatments. Rabbits on 30% MOM had significantly (p

Dietary supplementation with phytobiotics is a promising area in fish nutrition towards promoting the growth and health status of cultured fish. This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of Aspilia africana leaves-paste (AAL) on the growth, haematology and serum biochemistry of Clarias gariepinus broodstock. Experiment was carried out in a 24 net-happa (0.6m x 1.07m x 1.2m) suspended in an earthen pond (30 m x 5 m x 1.2m). Forty-eight (7 months old fish, 24 males (0.80±0.04kg) and 24 females (0.70±0.03kg)) were stocked at two fish per net-happa under four treatments in six replicates in a completely randomized design. Four diets (40% crude protein) were formulated to contained: control (0%); AAL1 (0.5%); AAL2 (1%) and AAL3 (1.5%). Fish were fed ad libitum twice daily for 16 weeks. Data on all parameters were analyzed using ANOVA. The highest mean weight gain, MWG: 3.13±0.15kg and lowest feed conversion ratio, FCR: 1.30± 0.04 were recorded in broodstock fed 1.5% AAL3. The lowest MWG (1.27±0.03kg) and highest FCR: 1.72±0.03) were obtained in broodstock fed control diet. The lowest packed cell volume: 15.83 ± 0.17 % and haemoglobin: 5.25 ± 0.1 (g/dL) were recorded in fish fed 1% and 1.5% AAL. No significant differences in the total protein and creatinine values obtained between fish fed 1% and 1.5% AAL. The study recommended the dietary inclusion of 1.5% A. africana leaves-paste to effectively promote growth and nutrient utilization of cultured C. gariepinus broodstock

Inflammatory diseases are major health concerns affecting millions of people worldwide. Aspilia africana has been used for centuries by many African communities in the treatment of a wide range of health conditions, including inflammatory diseases, osteoporosis, rheumatic pains, and wounds. Analysis of the phytochemical composition of A. africana indicated that the plant is rich in a broad range of secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, sterols, phenolic compounds, and glycosides. This explains the efficacy of the plant in treating inflammation-related diseases, as well as several other health conditions affecting different African communities. The mechanisms of action of the anti-inflammatory phytochemical compounds in A. africana include inhibition of a number of physiological processes involved in the inflammatory process and synthesis or action of proinflammatory enzymes. The phytochemicals enhance anti-inflammatory biological responses such as inhibition of a number of chemical mediators including histamine, prostanoids and kinins, 5-lipoxygenase. and cyclooxygenase and activation of phosphodiesterase and transcriptase. Currently used anti-inflammatory medications are associated with several disadvantages such as drug toxicity and iatrogenic reactions, thereby complicating the treatment process. The adverse effects related to the use of these conventional synthetic drugs have been the driving force behind consideration of natural remedies, and efforts are being made toward the development of anti-inflammatory agents based on natural extracts. A. africana is rich in secondary metabolites, and its use as a traditional medicine for treating inflammatory diseases has been validated through in vitro and in vivo studies. Therefore, the plant could be further explored for potential development of novel anti-inflammatory therapeutics.

This study investigated the efficacy of the root and leaf powders of Aspilia africana and Mimosa diplotricha against the cowpea beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus. Newly emerged adults of C. maculatus were exposed to grains treated with one of four treatments (powders: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g) of the two plants at different exposure period of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. Both A. africana and M. diplotricha exhibited a high level of mortality which was a function of treatment concentration and of exposure time. At 96 hours of exposure, 2 g of the root and leaf powders of A. africana caused 70% and 54% mortality respectively, in C. maculatus. When C. maculatus was exposed to 2 g for a 96-hour exposure, the root and leaf powders of M. diplotricha, however, resulted in 52% and 50% mortality respectively. Although powders from all four treatment types exhibited insecticidal activities by causing varying levels of mortality in C. maculatus, the highest death rate was caused by the root powder of A. africana. Qualitative analysis of the plants revealed that alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins, terpenoids and glycosides were present in the leaf extracts of A. africana and M. diplotricha. The moderately high insecticidal activity demonstrated by the root powders suggest that they hold more potential in the control of C. maculatus compared to the leaf powders. Keywords: Mimosa diplotricha, Aspilia africana, phytochemical constituents, Callosobruchus maculatus

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), to date, is still the most frequent cause of infantile and childhood cause of viral lower respiratory tract illness on a global scale, and at the same time, causing significant impact in the elderly. Presently, there is no licensed vaccine or safe and specific antiviral agent that could be used against the virus. Medicinal plants are known to be a promising source for the discovery of utilizable anti-RSV treatments. In this present study, we screened the anti-RSV and cell cytotoxicity activities of methanol extract of A. Africana by virus plaque reduction and corresponding cell viability methods in Hep-2 and Vero cells of human and mammalian origin respectively. The corresponding set up for analyses of A. Africana extract on cell viability were performed by the reduction of thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) in the Hep-2 cells following the established method. The results of an evaluation of the extract of A. africana showed anti-RSV activities with inhibition of RSV at IC50, 42.5 ± 8.89, while the cell cytotoxic effect in Hep2 cells recorded was TC50, 121.4. ± 7.21. Therefore, our results show that the methanol extract of AA exhibited anti-RSV activities and has a moderate effect on the cell viability of the recipient host cell, indicating that target molecular substances against RSV can be developed from the extract.

In this study, we investigated the effect of different extraction techniques for the recovery of bioactive secondary metabolites from Aspilia africana (A. africana). Subcritical water extraction (SWE) at different temperatures (SWE140, SWE160, SWE180), and a combination of heating and agitation (HA) were compared with conventional solvent extraction using ethanol (80%, soxhlet). The extracts were characterized for the total phenolic contents (TPC), Total flavonoid contents (TFC), and phenolic compounds using HPLC-UV–VIS. The antioxidant activity by DPPH assay and anticancer activity against AGS, A549, and HeLa cell lines were also analyzed by MTT assay. Results showed that HA extracts contained the highest concentration of Gallic acid, TPC, TFC and exhibited the highest antioxidant activity with an IC50 nine times lower than that of ethanol extracts, followed by SWE. MTT assay showed that AGS cells were more sensitive to A.africana extracts (AAE), followed by A549 while HeLa showed little response to the treatments. HA exhibited the highest antiproliferative activity followed by SWE160. DAPI staining revealed that HA extracts induced a remarkable DNA breakage and nuclear condensation in treated cancer cells. This study revealed that HA and SWE are efficient techniques to recover extracts with antioxidant and anticancer potential from A. africana.

The potential of selected forages was evaluated using West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Six forages namely, Andropogon tectorum, Panicum maximum, Aspilia Africana, Gmelina arborea, Alchornea cordifolia and Bambusa vulgaris designated as T1 to T6, respectively were the only feed source used for the study. Thirty West African Dwarf goats aged 8 to 9 months, with an average bodyweight of 9.17 to 10.10 kg were used for the study. The goats were assigned to six treatment groups based on the forages used in a completely randomized design. The results obtained showed significant (p 0.05) differences in the parameters tested. However, the PCV values were reduced in the final haematological profile. Similarly, carcass characteristics had no (p>0.05) significant differences among the treatment means. Animal on Andropogon tectorum (T1) gave the best (50.29%) dressing percentage with the least (40.47%) in Panicum maximum (T2). It can be concluded that performance of West African Dwarf goats can be better if the forages are offered in combination at equal amounts.

Aim: The study was carried out to determine the anticonvulsant potential of dichloromethane leaf extract of Aspilia africana. Study Design: Three seizure models namely: Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), strychnine (STC) and maximal electroshock (MES) were used, motor coordination behavior of the animals were also assessed. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out between the months of October and November, 2017 at Pharmacology laboratory, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Methodology: The powdered leaves of A. africana (2000 g) were extracted with 10 liters of 100% dichloromethane. Doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg were administered to the test animals. Results: The chemical models, STC & PTZ showed 50% & 100% survival respectively. The delayed onset of seizure suggested anti-seizure potential of dichloromethane extract of A. Africana leaf with the maximal latency period of seizure recorded in the 25 mg/kg dose within the following chemical models, this was significant, P = .05 compared to the normal control. The MES method showed that at doses of 25 & 50, 100 mg/kg, the animals were 66.7% & 50% free of hind limb tonic extension (HLTE). Furthermore, there was reduced motor coordination potential at 25 mg/kg by 68.5%, which was significant at the level of, P = .05, compared to healthy control. Conclusion: From the preceding, it can be seen that the dichloromethane leaf extract of A. Africana has antiseizure potential.

Aspilia funeralis Rondani, 1866 ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION: 1866a: 87 (key), 88 (description). TYPE LOCALITY: " in Apennino parmensi [Parmese Apennines (Italy)]". TYPE MATERIAL: 3 ♂♂, syntypes (two partially destroyed by the pin) (MZUF: Box 22): Aspilia Rnd. / funeralis Rnd., Apenn. [= Apennines] / 1161. CURRENT STATUS: junior synonym of Spilogona dispar (Fallén, 1823) (Pont 1986b: 168, Gorodkov et al. 1995: 15). REMARKS: Rondani (1866a: 88) described Aspilia funeralis from just the male sex, without specifying the exact number of specimens and not giving a range of lengths: " Raro lecta a Doct. Berteo et a me in Apennino parmensi, …, specimina mascula tantum [Rarely collected by Dr. Berteo and me in the Parma Apennines … only male specimens]". We found three syntypes in this study., Published as part of Sforzi, Alessandra & Sommaggio, Daniele, 2021, Catalog of the Diptera types described by Camillo Rondani, pp. 1-438 in Zootaxa 4989 (1) on page 140, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4989.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4980621, {"references":["Pont, A. C. (1986 b) Family Muscidae. In: Soos, A. & Papp, L. (Eds.), Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera. Volume 11. Scathophagidae - Hypodermatidae. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam & Akademiai Kiado, Budapest, pp. 57 - 215.","Gorodkov, K., Pont, A. C. & Rozkosny, R. (1995) Diptera Muscoidea. In: Minelli, A., Ruffo, S. & La Posta, S. (Eds.), Checklist delle specie della fauna italiana. 77. Calderini, Bologna, pp. 1 - 18.","Rondani, C. (1866 a) Anthomyinae italicae collectae distinctae et in ordinem dispositae. Dipterorum stirps XVII. Anthomyinae Rndn. Atti della Societa Italiana di Scienze Naturali, 9, 68 - 217."]}

Aspilia glacialis Rondani, 1866 ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION: 1866a: 87 (key), 88 (description). TYPE LOCALITY: " In Alpibus Insubriae [Insubrian (= Lombardy, Italy) Alps]". TYPE MATERIAL: 1 ♀, holotype (MZUF: Box 22): Aspilia Rnd. / glacialis Rnd. / 1162. CURRENT STATUS: doubtful species of Drymeia Meigen, 1826 (Pont 1986b: 73); valid species, as Drymeia glacialis (Gorodkov et al. 1995: 10). REMARKS: Rondani (1866a: 88) described Aspilia glacialis from a single female: " Unicum exemplar collectionis meae … captum olim a Clar. De Cristofori [Single specimen in my collection … collected by Mr. De Cristofori]"., Published as part of Sforzi, Alessandra & Sommaggio, Daniele, 2021, Catalog of the Diptera types described by Camillo Rondani, pp. 1-438 in Zootaxa 4989 (1) on page 140, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4989.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4980621, {"references":["Meigen, J. W. (1826) Systematische Beschreibung der bekannten europaischen zweiflugeligen Insekten. Funfter Theil. Schulz- Wundermann, Hamm, xii + 412 pp.","Pont, A. C. (1986 b) Family Muscidae. In: Soos, A. & Papp, L. (Eds.), Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera. Volume 11. Scathophagidae - Hypodermatidae. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam & Akademiai Kiado, Budapest, pp. 57 - 215.","Gorodkov, K., Pont, A. C. & Rozkosny, R. (1995) Diptera Muscoidea. In: Minelli, A., Ruffo, S. & La Posta, S. (Eds.), Checklist delle specie della fauna italiana. 77. Calderini, Bologna, pp. 1 - 18.","Rondani, C. (1866 a) Anthomyinae italicae collectae distinctae et in ordinem dispositae. Dipterorum stirps XVII. Anthomyinae Rndn. Atti della Societa Italiana di Scienze Naturali, 9, 68 - 217."]}

Aspilia rupestris Rondani, 1866 ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION: 1866a: 87 (key), 89 (description). TYPE LOCALITY: “ in Apennino parmensi … in alpina plaga agri Tirolensis [Parmese Apennines (Italy) … Tyrolean alpine locality]”. TYPE MATERIAL: not found in this study. See Remarks. CURRENT STATUS: junior synonym of Thricops nigrifrons (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) (Pont 1986b: 68, Gorodkov et al. 1995: 10). REMARKS: Rondani (1866a: 89) described Aspilia rupestris from two females: “ Foeminam unicam legi … in Apennino parmensi, et aliam possideo … lectam a Prof. Strobel [I collected one female … in Parmese Apennines and have another one collected by Prof. Strobel]”. Rondani (1877c: 90) considered the female received from Strobel as a different species, which he named Spilogaster tirolensis. Hennig (1961: 228) incorrectly considered the specimen from “ Tirol ” [= Tyrol] as the type of Atherigona rupestris. We did not find the specimen from “ Parma ”, the true type of Aspilia rupestris but, under the name Atherigona rupestris in the MZUF, did find the single specimen from “ Tirol ” [= Tyrol], which we consider as the holotype of Spilogaster tirolensis., Published as part of Sforzi, Alessandra & Sommaggio, Daniele, 2021, Catalog of the Diptera types described by Camillo Rondani, pp. 1-438 in Zootaxa 4989 (1) on page 141, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4989.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4980621, {"references":["Robineau-Desvoidy, J. B. (1830) Essai sur les Myodaires. Memoires presentes par divers savans a l'Academie Royale des Sciences de l'Iinstitut de France, 813 pp.","Pont, A. C. (1986 b) Family Muscidae. In: Soos, A. & Papp, L. (Eds.), Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera. Volume 11. Scathophagidae - Hypodermatidae. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam & Akademiai Kiado, Budapest, pp. 57 - 215.","Gorodkov, K., Pont, A. C. & Rozkosny, R. (1995) Diptera Muscoidea. In: Minelli, A., Ruffo, S. & La Posta, S. (Eds.), Checklist delle specie della fauna italiana. 77. Calderini, Bologna, pp. 1 - 18.","Rondani, C. (1866 a) Anthomyinae italicae collectae distinctae et in ordinem dispositae. Dipterorum stirps XVII. Anthomyinae Rndn. Atti della Societa Italiana di Scienze Naturali, 9, 68 - 217.","Rondani, C. (1877 c) Dipterologiae italicae prodromus. Vol. VI. Species italicae ordinis dipterorum ordinatim dispositae, methodo analitica distinctae, et novis vel minus cognitis descriptis. Pars quinta. Stirps XVII - Anthomyinae. Societatis Topographorum. Parmae [= Parma], 304 pp.","Hennig, W. (1961) Bericht uber die Untersuchung der Typen einiger der von Rondani beschriebenen Arten aus der Familie Muscidae (Diptera). Beitrage zur Entomologie, 11 (1 - 2), 225 - 229."]}

Aspilia pubicheta Rondani, 1871 ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION: 1871a: 317. TYPE LOCALITY: " in Alpibus Pedemontii [Piedmont, Italy, Alps]". TYPE MATERIAL: 1 ♀, syntype (MRSN): 21.64 / 682 / Aspilia Rond. / pubicheta Rond., Alpi, ♀; 1 ♀, syntype (MRSN): 93 56 / 688 / Aspilia Rond. / pubicheta Rond., Alpi, ♀; 1 ♀, syntype (MRSN): [illegible label] / 687 / Aspilia Rond. / pubicheta Rond., Alpi, ♀. CURRENT STATUS: junior synonym of Thricops aculeipes (Zetterstedt, 1838) (Pont 1986b: 65). REMARKS: Rondani (1871a: 317) described Aspilia pubicheta without specifying the number, the sex or the length of the specimens, received from L. Bellardi. Hennig (1961: 228) reported three female types in the MRSN. We also found three female syntypes in this study., Published as part of Sforzi, Alessandra & Sommaggio, Daniele, 2021, Catalog of the Diptera types described by Camillo Rondani, pp. 1-438 in Zootaxa 4989 (1) on page 140, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4989.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4980621, {"references":["Zetterstedt, J. W. (1838) Sectio Tertia. Diptera, In: Zetterstedt J. W. Insecta Lapponica. L. Voss, Lipsiae [= Leipzig], pp. 477 - 868","Pont, A. C. (1986 b) Family Muscidae. In: Soos, A. & Papp, L. (Eds.), Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera. Volume 11. Scathophagidae - Hypodermatidae. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam & Akademiai Kiado, Budapest, pp. 57 - 215.","Rondani, C. (1871 a) Diptera italica non vel minus cognita descripta aut annotata. Fasc. IV. Addenda Anthomynis Prodr. Vol. VI. Bullettino della Societa Entomologica Italiana, 2 (4) [1870], 317 - 338.","Hennig, W. (1961) Bericht uber die Untersuchung der Typen einiger der von Rondani beschriebenen Arten aus der Familie Muscidae (Diptera). Beitrage zur Entomologie, 11 (1 - 2), 225 - 229."]}

Aspilia alpestris Rondani, 1871 ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION: 1871a: 318. TYPE LOCALITY: “ in Alpibus … prope Varallum [Alps … near Varallo (= Vercelli, Italy)]”. TYPE MATERIAL: 2 ♀♀, syntypes (one covered with mold) (MZUF: Box 22): Aspilia Rnd. / alpestris Rnd., Varallo, Alpi / 1167. CURRENT STATUS: junior synonym of Phaonia angelicae (Scopoli, 1763) (Pont 1986b: 117, Gorodkov et al. 1995: 12). REMARKS: Rondani (1871a: 318) described Aspilia alpestris from just the female sex, without specifying the exact number of specimens: “ legi specimina aliqua foeminea [I collected some female specimens]”. He later (Rondani 1877c: 87) reported two females: “ Mas ignotus. Faeminas duas alpinas possideo [Male unknown. I have two females from the Alps]”., Published as part of Sforzi, Alessandra & Sommaggio, Daniele, 2021, Catalog of the Diptera types described by Camillo Rondani, pp. 1-438 in Zootaxa 4989 (1) on page 140, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4989.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4980621, {"references":["Scopoli, J. A. (1763) Entomologia carniolica exhibens insecta carnioliae indigena et distributa in ordines, genera, species, varietates, methodo Linneana. I. T. Trattner, Vindobonae [= Wien], [36] + 420 + [1] pp. https: // doi. org / 10.5962 / bhl. title. 119976","Pont, A. C. (1986 b) Family Muscidae. In: Soos, A. & Papp, L. (Eds.), Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera. Volume 11. Scathophagidae - Hypodermatidae. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam & Akademiai Kiado, Budapest, pp. 57 - 215.","Gorodkov, K., Pont, A. C. & Rozkosny, R. (1995) Diptera Muscoidea. In: Minelli, A., Ruffo, S. & La Posta, S. (Eds.), Checklist delle specie della fauna italiana. 77. Calderini, Bologna, pp. 1 - 18.","Rondani, C. (1871 a) Diptera italica non vel minus cognita descripta aut annotata. Fasc. IV. Addenda Anthomynis Prodr. Vol. VI. Bullettino della Societa Entomologica Italiana, 2 (4) [1870], 317 - 338.","Rondani, C. (1877 c) Dipterologiae italicae prodromus. Vol. VI. Species italicae ordinis dipterorum ordinatim dispositae, methodo analitica distinctae, et novis vel minus cognitis descriptis. Pars quinta. Stirps XVII - Anthomyinae. Societatis Topographorum. Parmae [= Parma], 304 pp."]}

Aspilia brumalis Rondani, 1866 ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION: 1866a: 87 (key), 88 (description). TYPE LOCALITY: “ in Insubria Alpina [Insubrian (= Lombardy, Italy) Alps]”. TYPE MATERIAL: 3 ♂♂ (only two of them are syntypes but are not labeled as such) (one with abdomen crushed, missing left wing, left mid- and hind-legs) (MZUF: Box 22): Aspilia Rnd. / brumalis Rnd., Alpi / 1160. CURRENT STATUS: valid species, as Drymeia brumalis (Pont 1986b: 71, Gorodkov et al. 1995: 10). REMARKS: Rondani (1866a: 88) described Aspilia brumalis from two males: “ Mares duos … captos, misit olim D. Marietti [Two males captured, formerly sent by D. Marietti]”. Only two of the three MZUF males belong to the type series because Rondani mentioned just two males in his original description. These males did not have any label indicating their type status. We are unable to single out the two males upon which Rondani based his description. We leave the recognition of the two male syntypes to a future specialist., Published as part of Sforzi, Alessandra & Sommaggio, Daniele, 2021, Catalog of the Diptera types described by Camillo Rondani, pp. 1-438 in Zootaxa 4989 (1) on page 140, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4989.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4980621, {"references":["Pont, A. C. (1986 b) Family Muscidae. In: Soos, A. & Papp, L. (Eds.), Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera. Volume 11. Scathophagidae - Hypodermatidae. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam & Akademiai Kiado, Budapest, pp. 57 - 215.","Gorodkov, K., Pont, A. C. & Rozkosny, R. (1995) Diptera Muscoidea. In: Minelli, A., Ruffo, S. & La Posta, S. (Eds.), Checklist delle specie della fauna italiana. 77. Calderini, Bologna, pp. 1 - 18.","Rondani, C. (1866 a) Anthomyinae italicae collectae distinctae et in ordinem dispositae. Dipterorum stirps XVII. Anthomyinae Rndn. Atti della Societa Italiana di Scienze Naturali, 9, 68 - 217."]}

Aspilia africana has been used for generations to treat many diseases in Africa. Its biological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, are attributed to a number of secondary metabolites, including alkaloids and polyphenolics. The antioxidant activities of A. africana callus (CA), juvenile in vitro leaf (IL) and root (IR), ex vitro root (SR) and leaf (SL), and wild leaf (WL) dried samples were assessed based on their diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging abilities. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of different plant samples was compared. Further, high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantitatively determine chlorogenic acid content in the A. africana plant samples. Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) analysis was also carried out to compare the antioxidant phytochemical content in the A. africana plant tissues. Among the samples, IR, with the highest total phenolic content (167.84 ± 1.057 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid content (135.06 ± 0.786 mg RUE/g), and chlorogenic acid (5.23 ± 0.298 mg/g) content, had the most potent antioxidant activity (IC50 = 27.25 ± 5.028 μg/mL), followed by WL. The lowest polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity were observed in SR. The antioxidant activities of A. africana tissues were positively correlated with the total phenolic and flavonoid content in the samples. The differences in antioxidant activities of A. africana tissues could be attributed to the difference in their polyphenolic content. Our study reports, for the first time, the antioxidant activities of A. africana callus and roots (in vitro and ex vitro). The A. africana samples IR, CA, and WL could be valuable natural sources of antioxidants that could be further exploited for the development of useful pharmaceutical products.

The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to enhance soil phosphate uptake is a biological technique considered to cure phosphate deficiency in soils. This study investigated association of Aspilia pruliseta Schweif shrub with AMF in Kenya. The study aims at profiling a tropical shrub with multiple ecological benefits that could reduce addition of chemical phosphatic fertilizer into the soil and reverse negative consequences of eutrophication. Sampling was purposive to have areas with or without Aspilia pruliseta vegetation growing. A small amount (10 g) of the soil from 27 composite samples was used for spore count determination and a similar amount for next generation sequencing. Spore counts varied significantly among soil textural types, sample locations, and soil depth. Sandy loam had the highest spore counts with a mean average of 404 spores. The spore count decreased significantly ( P

Medicinal plants are cheap sources of antioxidants with the ability to scavenge free radicals, thereby mitigating body exposure...

Semi-arid eastern Kenya is a fragile ecosystem with continuous cultivation of dryland pulses and grains. Farmers use artificial fertilizers most of which are deleterious to the environment. Previous studies have shown that soil microbes in the rhizosphere could be used to sustainably enhance levels of soil mineral nutrients and soil health. However, few studies have examined fungal diversity in the rhizosphere of wild and native Aspilia pruliseta shrub. In this study, amplicons of Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region on Total Community DNA using Illumina sequencing were used to explore the fungal community composition within the rhizosphere. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were analyzed using QIIME 1.8.0, taxonomy assigned via BLASTn against SILVA 119 database. Hierarchical clustering was done using R programming software. 72,093, 50,539 and 43,506 sequence reads were obtained from samples MC1a, MC2a and MC3a respectively representing rhizosphere depth 0-20 cm, 21-40 cm and 41-60 cm. A total of 373 OTUs were realized at 3% genetic distance. Taxonomic analysis revealed that the genera Glomus was most prevalent in all soil depths with 85.60 % of the OTUs in depth 0-20 cm, 69.04 % in depth 21-40 cm and 48.45 % in depth 41-60 cm. The results revealed high levels of obligate arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi that if commercially cultured could enhance phosphates uptake in crops.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Physiological and biochemical changes in plants are indicators used for monitoring cellular activity of plant prior and post exposure to harsh environment. This study investigated the impact of quarrying and stone crushing activities on heavy metals, plant nutritional composition, phytochemicals and oxidative stress indices of Aspilia africana. MATERIALS AND METHODS Different parts of A. africana were collected from the quarry site and compared to those growing from non-quarry mining environment. RESULTS The result shows that A. africana from quarry mining site had significant (p

Aspilia africana (Compositae) is one of such plants considered of great importance in pharmacopeia of traditional medicine. Its leaf is widely used in ethnomedicinal practices in tropical Africa because of its ability to stop bleeding and promote rapid healing of wounds. This study was carried out on the leaf part to determine its antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials of its leaf methanol extract. The methanolic extract of the leaf was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and it indicated the presence of saponins, tannin, resin, phlobatannins, and phenols. The in-vitro antibacterial test of the methanol crude extract using agar well diffusion method showed broad-spectrum activity with minimum bactericidal concentration of 30, 75 mg/mL for Klebsiella pneumonia, and Bacillus subtilis respectively. In-vitro antioxidant activities using 2, 2–diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay indicate that the methanol leaves extract had higher activity than of 92.23 µg/mL compared to standard drugs (Ascorbic acid 1.07mg/mL) and IC50 at 4.66. This study concluded that Aspilia africana methanol crude extract exhibits dosage-dependent antioxidant potential and could be further explored if it’s are in pure form.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T17:55:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-07-01. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2019-10-09T18:27:51Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 S0102-33062018000300386.pdf: 1047685 bytes, checksum: 57b1bc1e74dcec638d108f4a395975d7 (MD5) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Most angiosperms rely on animals for pollination, and insects, especially bees, are the most frequent pollinators. Many native Neotropical plants are frequently visited by the invasive honeybee (Apis mellifera), but its role in the pollination of these plants has been little investigated. We assessed the contribution of various floral visitors, including native bees and the honeybee, on the pollination of a generalist rupestrian grassland daisy, Aspilia jolyana (Asteraceae), in Serra do Cipo, Espinhaco Mountain Range, Brazil. We recorded floral visitors and measured the seed set resulting from one single visitation. We observed a total of 442 visits, mostly by bees, with Bombus pauloensis and Apis mellifera being the most common floral visitors. Other visitors included many other species of bees, flies, hummingbirds, wasps and butterflies. Pollinators significantly increased seed set in comparison to non-visited (bagged) capitula. Moreover, there was no difference among bee species/groups in their contribution to seed set. Thus, A. jolyana benefits from its generalized pollination strategy, and frequent bee visitors, including several native species and the invasive honeybee, are equally effective pollinators for this generalist daisy of rupestrian grasslands. Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Biol Vegetal, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Uberlandia, Inst Biol, BR-38405302 Uberlandia, MG, Brazil Univ Illinois Champaign Urbana, Nat Resources & Environm Sci Dept, Urbana, IL 61820 USA Univ Copenhagen, Ctr Macroecol Evolut & Climate, Nat Hist Museum Denmark, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Dept Bot, Lab Fenol, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Dept Bot, Lab Fenol, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil CNPq: 400717/2013-1 FAPESP: 2013/50155-0 FAPESP: 2015/21457-4

Growing mixed-sex Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus in earthen ponds to table size is a major challenge due to its early maturity and prolific breeding. This study determined the effects of two medicinal plants; Aspilia plant, Aspilia mossambicensis and Neem tree, Azadirachta indica on hatchlings production, growth performance, feed utilization, survival and haematology of O. niloticus. Experimental diets were prepared by adding 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 g of either A. mossambicensis or A. indica leaf powders into a kg of the control diet subsequently administered daily to twenty triplicates of O. niloticus for three months. Both A. mossambicensis and A. indica leaf powder at the used doses, reduced significantly hatchlings production of O. niloticus when compared to the control (P .05). Both plants differentially increased significantly haematological parameters such as Hb concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cells (WBC), monocyte and lymphocytes while reduced significantly neutrophils and eosinophils (P

Mycorrhiza fungi are important components of soil microbiota in the rhizosphere and greatly influence uptake of mineral elements to plants. A green house experiment was conducted at the University of Embu. The experiment involved use of sterilized polythene potting material sized 30 cm by 40 cm. The pots were filled two thirds the height of the potting material with soil from a predetermined source in Gakurungu, Tunyai and Kanyuombora in the upper eastern region in Kenya. The soil used in the pots was collected from the rhizosphere of Aspilia pruliseta Schweif vegetation as well as adjacent areas without this vegetation as a control at 0-20 cm, 21-40 cm and 41-60 cm for each of the soil types (silty clay, silt loam and sandy loam) used in the experiment. Two sorghum seeds inoculated with mycorrhiza fungi were planted in each pot and a similar number of pots planted with un inoculated sorghum seeds as a control. Each of the 4 treatments mentioned above, was replicated four times giving n=144. Each pot was watered after every two days using a two-litre watering can for the first one week. Thereafter, watering regime was reduced to once a week but ensuring the pots remained moist. Watering was done uniformly to all the pots. This was maintained for a period of thirty five days. Data was analysed using SAS edition 8.2. Seed emergence, hypocotyl development and stand count were enhanced at P≤0.05 in both mycorrhiza fungi inoculated gadam sorghum seeds and in pots whose soils were taken from the rhizosphere of Aspilia pruliseta plants. The growth attributes had a positive correlation to yield at 95% confidence. Soil phosphate level was enhanced in both cases of gadam seed inoculation with mycorrhiza and in soils previously grown Aspilia pruliseta vegetation.

It was stated by [1] that for the isolation of beneficial compounds, different classes of plant species have been analysed with the help of upgraded Ayurvedic traditional methods and other advanced scientific techniques.

The main aim of this study was to determine the phytochemical constituents and antibacterial activities of the leaf extracts ofA. africana.The powdered leaf ofA. africanawas extracted using 70% methanol and partitioned into n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous methanol fractions. The extract and fractions were phytochemically screened and agar well dilution technique was used to evaluate the antibacterial activity against some gastrointestinal tract pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysentriae, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphiA, Salmonella paratyphiBand Salmonella paratyphiC). The phytochemical analysis ofA. africanashowed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, anthraquinones and saponins in the methanol extract but varied across the fractions. The methanol extract and fractions inhibited the growth of gastrointestinal tract pathogens but their effectiveness varied with the concentrations. The methanol crude extract showed the best antibacterial activity with zone of inhibition ranging from 15-18 mm followed by aqueous soluble methanol fraction (10-15 mm) and ethylacetaate fraction (9-13 mm) respectively. The n-hexane and chloroform fraction showed no activity. Generally, the diameter zone of inhibition increased with increased extract concentrations. The antibacterial activity of the various extracts of the leaf was comparable to the reference antibiotics, though the antibiotics showed better inhibitory property (pA. africanapossessed inhibitory properties due to the detected phytochemicals, thus validates the traditional uses of the plant for the treatment of gastrointestinal tract infections.

Work towards the Compositae for a checklist of the flowering plants of Guinea has shown that Melanthera elegans C.D.Adams belongs in Aspilia Thouars. An earlier ‘combination’ in the literature was not validly published, the authors also unaware of an earlier combination under the name Aspilia elegans. A new name, Aspilia lisowskiana, is provided for the Guinean species.

Compositae species are applied as whole or part of the feed stock for animals and poultry. However, rabbits display varied preferences in their consumption of these plants, following the order of: Melanthera scandens (MS) > Synedrella nodiflora (SN) > Aspilia africana (AA) > Ageratum conyzoides (AC). This preference profile may be due to variation in chemical composition, flavor or toxicity of the plants. The rabbits in our farm feed on 100% MS or SN with excellent performance. This study, therefore, is set to: obtain the methanol extract of these plants, screen them for their antibacterial activity, determine their toxicity and investigate the chemical composition of their n-hexane fraction (volatile constituents).

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of season on the chemical composition of Aspilia Africana leaf over a 12-month period. Biomass yield, proximate and mineral compositions were analyzed. Data collected were subjected to ANOVA in a completely randomized design using SAS software package. Post hoc analysis was conducted at 5% significance using the Duncan multiple range test. Five seasons (late dry, early rainy, peak rainy, late rainy and early dry) and three stages of plant maturity (growing, blooming and aging) were identified. Results showed no effect (p>0.05) of season on the proximate composition (except for moisture and crude ash) and fibre fractions of Aspilia Africana leaf but mineral concentrations were influenced (p Aspilia Africana leaf during the 12-month study. Therefore, Aspilia Africana plant could be a valuable feed resource for all year fodder production.

Wounds remain one of the major causes of death worldwide. Over the years medicinal plants and natural compounds have played an integral role in wound treatment. Aspilia africana (Pers.) C. D. Adams which is classified among substances with low toxicity has been used for generations in African traditional medicine to treat wounds, including stopping bleeding even from severed arteries. This review examined the potential of the extracts and phytochemicals from A. africana, a common herbaceous flowering plant which is native to Africa in wound healing. In vitro and in vivo studies have provided strong pharmacological evidences for wound healing effects of A. africana-derived extracts and phytochemicals. Singly or in synergy, the different bioactive phytochemicals including alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, β-caryophyllene, germacrene D, α-pinene, carene, phytol, and linolenic acid in A. africana have been observed to exhibit a very strong anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities which are important processes in wound healing. Indeed, A. africana wound healing ability is furthermore due to the fact that it can effectively reduce wound bleeding, hasten wound contraction, increase the concentration of basic fibroblast growth factor (BFGF) and platelet derived growth factor, and stimulate the haematological parameters, including white and red blood cells, all of which are vital components for the wound healing process. Therefore, these facts may justify why A. africana is used to treat wounds in ethnomedicine.