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This study aims to evaluate the antifungal activities of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Thevetia peruviana seeds on the in vitro growth of Phytophthora colocasiae. A randomized sample block design containing four treatments (T-: absolute control, AE, ME and Callomil Plus at the dose of 12.5 μL/ml) with three repetitions was used. Plant extracts were used at three concentrations: C1: 12.5 µl/ml; C2: 25 µl/ml and C3: 50 µl/ml. The study took place in the University of Yaoundé 1, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Plant Biology, Laboratory of Phytopathology and Crop Protection, and in the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IARD) of Yaoundé, Laboratory of Phytopathology, during the year 2019-2020. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of T. peruviana were prepared and used at the concentrations of 12.5, 25 and 50 μL/ml. P. colocasiae was isolated from infected taro leaf cultivars "Macumba/Ibo coco" located in three different regions in Cameroon: West, Littoral and Centre. The different leaf explants of taro were put in V8 agar medium and maintained in pure culture. Mycelial fragments of P. colocasiae of about 0.8 cm in diameter were cut and placed in sterile Petri dishes containing Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium supplemented with different concentrations of plant extracts and incubated at 23±1°C for seven days for the evaluation of the radial growth. Methanolic and aqueous extracts have completely inhibited the growth of West and Littoral strains at 25 μL/mL while total inhibition of the pathogen was not obtained with strain of Centre region. The lowest inhibition was obtained with the strain of Centre region (85.1%) for aqueous extract and (70.95%) for methanolic extract compare to 100% for West and Littoral region at highest concentration. The aqueous extract at the concentration of 25 μL/ml totally inhibited the in vitro radial growth of some strains of P. colocasiae. This extract, active against P. colocasiae could be used as alternative to fungicides for the control of taro leaf blight. In other hand, the strain of Littoral region was most sensible to extracts than the others. This strain could be used to provide a genetic resource for future trials in natural conditions in greenhouse and in the field.

Essential oils from plants may provide environment-friendly alternatives to conventional synthetic insecticides. Here, toxic, repellent, and oviposition deterrent effects of essential oils of six plants: Allium sativum L. (Alliaceae), Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae), Cinnamomum cassia (L.) (Lauraceae), Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. (Myrtaceae), Piper nigrum L. (Piperaceae), and Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) (Apocynaceae), were evaluated against different life stages of Musca domestica. Bioassays revealed that the essential oils of A. indica, T. peruviana and E. camaldulensis exhibited: a) the highest toxicity on larvae (LC50 = 169.72, 182.23 and 277.01 ppm, respectively), pupae (LC50 = 150.56, 164.84 and 164.87 ppm, respectively) and adults (LC50 = 166.69, 139.15 and 302.75 ppm, respectively) of M. domestica; b) the highest repellency (91.44, 72.19 and 72.80%, respectively) and oviposition deterrent (90.36, 88.82 and 89.13%, respectively) effects on adults of M. domestica, as compared to the other essential oils. Moreover, the speed of mortality caused by essential oils of A. indica (LT50 = 16.85 and 17.06 h for larvae and adults, respectively) and T. peruviana (LT50 = 16.46 and 18.58 h for larvae and adults, respectively) was faster than the rest of the essential oils. On the whole, it might be expected that the essential oils of A. indica, T. peruviana and E. camaldulensis could be developed into a new type of environment-friendly insecticides and/or repellents for the management of M. domestica.

Salt stress is a serious problem plant production and one of the main causes of damage on growth crops in the world. The plants are different in their ability to grow under salt stress. There are many studies to determine the plants salt tolerantce. This study was carried out in the tissue culture laboratory, Faculty of Agric., Saba Basha, Alex. Univ. to find a reliable protocol for in vitro propagation of Thevetia peruviana Schum. during the period from 2019 to 2020 was developed. Moreover, nodal explants were used during in vitro culture study for indication of multiple shoots and were inculated on various media with different combinations of NAA and KIN to study the effect on proliferation and development of multiple shoots, and the elongation of the newly formed on medium. The best medium for multiplication was a medium supplemented with3.00 and 4.00mg/l KIN and 0.50 mg/l NAA. Furthermore, the in vitro shoots showed healthy root development when the tested medium was supplemented with combination of 1.00 or 2.00mg/l IBA and0.50mg/l NAA. The newly formed shoot plantlets are selected for resistance to salt, and laboratory in vitro techniques proved very useful for this prupose. The plants showed good tolerance under low salt concentration at 2and 4gL-1 NaCl on multiplication of explants shootlets of thevetia plants with good survival. At the the salt concentration of 6gL-1, showed inhibitory effect on growth of plants with reduced the shootlets length, number of shoots, number of leaflets and number of roots/shootlets. Moreover, the proportion of carbohydrate content increased with the increasing salt concentration.

Plant cell suspension cultures of Thevetia peruviana has been explored for pharmaceutical compounds production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the agitation rate effect on growth and metabolism behavior of T. peruviana cells grown in a 7 L stirred tank reactor. Increases in agitation rates favored cell growth, secondary metabolites production and metabolic activity. The highest biomass concentration 11.92 ± 0.25 g DW/L was reached at 550 rpm. The oxidase-reductase activity was stimulated at 550 and 800 rpm. Guaiacol peroxidase activity showed an increase for 300 and 550 rpm after day 7. High levels of extracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) were observed at day 7 for 550 and 800 rpm. Intracellular phenolic compounds (PC) showed an upward trend until day 7 with a maximum phenolic production of 57.78 ± 4.70 mg EGA/100 g FW for 550 rpm. These results indicated that cells responded to ROS stress in a non-enzymatic manner during the first 7 days of culture, increasing PC production with antioxidant capacity. After 7 days, cells responded enzymatically. Intracellullar cardiac glycoside showed a relative increase of 1.7 and 2.1 times for 550 and 800 rpm, respectively. The maximum extracellular production of cardiac glycoside for 550 and 800 rpm was 770.34 ± 42.84 mg EP/L. Taken together this study established reactor culture conditions for production of cardiac glycosides and PC, especially taxifolin. Cell suspensions of T. peruviana cultured in 7-liter reactor are tolerant at agitation rate up 800 rpm, maintaining biomass, cardiac glycosides, phenolic compounds and taxifolin production.

Objective: The main objective of the current research work was synthesized of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of Thevetia peruviana aqueous extract,characterization, and screening for urease enzyme inhibitory activity.Methods: AuNPs were synthesized by mixing 1 mM gold salt solution with T. peruviana aqueous extract without any reducing agents. The preparedAuNPs were characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Thesynthesized AuNPs were assessed for in vitro urease enzyme inhibitory activity at 0.2 μg in comparison with the aqueous extract.Results: In this finding, we synthesized the AuNPs of T. peruviana aqueous extract for the 1st time. The AuNPs exhibited significant stability atroom temperature. The AuNPs showed significant urease inhibitory activity with IC50 67.56±1.67 at 0.2 μg as compared to aqueous extract whichexhibited good activity with IC50 39.21±1.32 μ at 0.2 mg, against standard thiourea (IC50=21.00±1.16). The formation of AuNPs correlates due to activephytochemical present in extract which is responsible for synthesizing NPs.Conclusion: T. peruviana extract and prepared AuNPs are an outstanding urease enzyme inhibitor and are capable of making fine NPs. Application:The synthesized AuNPs of T. peruviana aqueous extract which significant urease inhibitory activity may allow us to discover NPs for potentiallyeffective and safe nanoherbal therapy.

The experiment reported herein considered the effect of using solvent extracted thevetia oil which was subjected to heat treatment at 110°C for 25 minutes. Four experimental diets consisting of a basal diet and three other diets in which 2.5, 5.0 and 10% of the control diet was replaced by the thevetia oil were formulated and fed to broilers during the finishing stage (4 - 8 weeks). Eighty broilers were individually weighed and randomly divided into four groups of 20 birds each and these were further divided into 4 replicates of 5 birds each. The four groups were then randomly allocated to the four dietary treatments. Feed Intake and Feed: Gain improved with increase in thevetia oil concentration (P

Aims: The objective of this work is to evaluate the effect of (aqueous (EAq) and methanolic (ME)) extracts of Thevetia peruviana on the in vitro development of Rigidoporus lignosus. Study Design: A synthetic fungicide (Onazol 100), two extracts at differents concentrations: C1 = 3.5 mg / ml; C2 = 7 mg / ml; C3 = 15 mg / ml; C4 = 30 mg / ml; C5 = 50 mg / ml and C6 = 100 mg / ml for EAq; C1 = 3.5 ml/ml; C2 = 7 ml/ml; C3 = 15 ml/ml; C4 = 30 ml/ml; C5 = 50 ml/ml for ME and a negative control (T = 0 mg / ml) were used. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in pathology laboratory at University of Yaounde I and IRAD of Nkolbisson in 2018. Methodology: Daily measurements of the pathogen's development was used to evaluate the average growth (D) of the mycelium. The inhibition percentages of the different doses of EAq, ME and ONAZOL 100 were calculated after 4 to 5 days of growth of the fungus. Results: The major result obtained compared to the rate of rot showed that the treatments EAq, ME (C6) and ONAZOL 100 were closed. The disease rates at different concentrations of C1 to C6 were 13.91 to 100% for ME, 9.34 to 100% for EAq, and 100% for ONAZOL 100. Conclusion: The two extracts are promising, and on small and medium scale, could be an effective and cheap formulation for the control of Rigidoporus lignosus.

Sixty, finishing broilers aged 35 days were used to determine the Apparent, Nitrogen corrected and True metabolisable energy value of thevetia oil. The oil was subjected to heat treatment of 110°C for 25 minutes. Four experimental diets consisting of a basal diet and three other diets in which thevetia oil was substituted for 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0% of the basal diet. The experiment lasted for 10 days, made up of a 7-day adjustment period and a 3-day total collection period. Protein and fibre retention were significantly (P

An experiment was designed to evaluate the metabolisable energy value of solvent extracted thevetia oil for the chicken. Apart from the metabolisable energy value, the productive performance and nutrient retention was also examined. Day-old broiler chicks were fed diets with 0.0, 2.5, 5.0 or 10.0% thevetia oil over a 2-week period. There was no significant difference (P

The aim of this study was to determine the allelopathic effects of Azadirachta indica oil and aqueous extracts of Tithonia diversifolia and Thevetia peruviana on the growth and stimulation of metabolites involved in tomato plant resistance. Randomized in blocks within a shaded area, the different treatments prepared at 10% and 15% (v/v and w/v) in water were subsequently applied on tomatoes seeds to monitor the effect on germination, and on tomatoes leaves to monitor the effect on growth and resilience of the plants. The result showed that in stressful conditions all the treatments significantly inhibit (p < 0.05) the germination capacity of the seeds from 21.22% to 92.61%, the germination rate from 39.82% to 92.76% and the germination viability of the seedlings from 64.67% to 100%. However, the negative allelopathic effect of the treatment was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) when used for germination initiation by botanical priming. In addition, while T. diversifolia at 10% promotes a better aerial and root growth in tomato plants, T. peruviana at 15% induces the activation of resistance mechanisms in tomato plants by increasing protein levels to 104.5%, phenol levels to 183.33% and peroxidase enzyme activity to 586.15%. Therefore, allelopathic compound of wild plants would be a good alternative for growth promotion and resistance of tomato crops.

Natural origin molecules represent reliable and excellent sources to overcome some medicinal problems. The study of anticancer, anticoagulant, and antimicrobial activities of

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for more than 85% of lung cancer with high incidence and mortality. Accumulating studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and its active ingredients have good anti-tumor activity. However, the anti-tumor effect of Thevebioside (THB), an active ingredient from TCM, is still unknown in NSCLC. In this study, to our best knowledge, it was the first time to report the underlying mechanism of its tumor-suppressive activity in NSCLC based on our previous high-throughput screening data. We further demonstrated that THB effectively inhibited the proliferation of NSCLC cells (A549 and H460) by inducing cellular apoptosis rather than cell cycle arrest. Notably, it was demonstrated that SRC-3 was significantly down-regulated after THB treatment dependent on ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated degradation, which subsequently inhibited the IGF-1R-PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and promoted apoptosis via both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Collectively, THB exerted inhibitory effect on tumor growth of NSCLC through inhibiting SRC-3 mediated IGF-1R-PI3K-AKT signaling by ubiquitination to induce cellular apoptosis with minimal toxicity no matter in vitro or vivo.

Raw materials from renewable natural resources for industrial applications are in high concern in recent industrial research. Researchers invest their time in the management of waste as well as the conversion of waste to wealth. In that line, the production of biofuels including biodiesel, and value-added products from non-edible oil sources as well as from the generated waste biomasses, are in the tilt of research in recent times. Preparation of different oleochemicals such as grease, resins, soap, lubricants, etc. from vegetable oils, and utilization of seed cake as fertilizer, animal feed, medicine, etc. are encouraged as a part of the generation of waste to wealth as per today’s environment is concerned. In recent days, various reports on the production of biodiesel and other oleochemicals from non-edible oil sources are published in various scientific journals. Yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana) is a tropical shrub which produces a toxic non-edible fruit containing a high percentage of seed oil (up to 67%), protein (30-37%) as well as other medicinally important phytochemicals. It is attracting the researchers worldwide for the production of biodiesel, various oleochemicals, medicine, animal feed, etc. In this study, biodiesel and various value-added products synthesized from Thevetia peruviana oil and cake are reviewed to generate and popularize the potential use of yellow oleander seed for various industrial applications and accordingly, for substantial growth in cultivation for commercial-scale requirements.

This study examined proximate composition, physicochemical analysis and mineral content of thevetia peruviana seed. The seeds (sun dried, oven dried and air dried) were ground into very fine powder. AOAC 2005 (Standard method) was used to analyse all the parameters used in the study. However, for mineral analysis, AOAC 2005 and Shumaila and Mahpara (Pak J Nutr 8(9):1456–1460, 2009) were used. The result of the proximate composition revealed that the moisture content was (4.59 ± 0.12, 2.78 ± 0.12 and 4.21 ± 0.12), ash content was (2.75 ± 0.12, 1.73 ± 0.07 and 1.22 ± 0.00), crude fibre content was (1.17 ± 0.00, 1.31 ± 0.00 and 1.42 ± 0.20), crude fat content was (66.84 ± 0.00, 66.67 ± 0.20 and 42.92 ± 0.00), crude protein content was (20.53 ± 0.12, 23.41 ± 0.12 and 24.72 ± 0.12), carbohydrate content was (28.04 ± 0.00, 4.10 ± 0.25 and 1.59 ± 0.00) and energy (597.504 ± 1.79 kcal/kg, 728.766 ± 1.19 kcal/kg and 725.430 ± 0.48 kcal/kg) for sun dried, oven dried and air dried seeds respectively. Meanwhile, the results for physicochemical analysis of the oven dried, air dried and sun dried samples were saponification value (mgKOH/g): 88.20 ± 0.00, 85.40 ± 0.00 and 77.00 ± 0.00, peroxide value (meq/kg): 6.00 ± 1.15, 1.53 ± 0.12 and 10.60 ± 0.12, acid value (mgKOH/g): 2.86 ± 0.06, 1.85 ± 0.12 and 2.85 ± 0.06, free fatty acid (% as oleic acid): 1.43 ± 0.12, 0.92 ± 0.12 and 0.83 ± 0.09, density (g/dm3): 0.91 ± 0.04, 0.87 ± 0.00 and 0.83 ± 0.01, specific-gravity:0.90 ± 0.12, 0.90 ± 0.00 and 0.87 ± 0.12, viscosity (pal/sec @25 °C): 24.99 ± 0.00, 20.48 ± 0.09 and 20.66 ± 0.00, iodine value (meq/kg): 13.51 ± 0.06, 11.59 ± 0.12 and 9.79 ± 0.06. The mineral contents of the sun dried, air dried and oven dried seed samples were in increasing order of K > Ca > Na > Mg > Zn > Fe > Cu > Pb > Ni. The study concluded that oven-dried sample of the seed of thevetia peruviana has greater effect on proximate composition than the other process.

Thevetia peruviana seed kernels are used for suicide attempts in many countries centuries back. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the level of toxicity exposure of seed kernels by acute and subacute studies on male wistar rats taking antioxidant enzyme levels in the vital organs like liver, kidney, heart and brain tissues myocardial marker enzyme levels in serum. Results revealed that antioxidant enzyme (SOD, GPX, GSH) levels was normal in the lower groups (25, 50 mg/kg), but drastic hike was observed in CKMB and LDH cardiac biomarker enzyme levels in 100 mg/ kg groups. In the liver tissues of group IV animals a significant dose dependent increase was observed in the activities of SOD (3.15 ± 0.58), GPx (46.55 ± 4.79) and GSH activity (18.20 ± 0.56). In kidney homogenates SOD and GSH level showed a statistically insignificant (p > 0.05) elevation, but the increase in GPx level shown by group IV animals (41.50 ± 7.04) was significant (p < 0.05) The activities of SOD in brain homogenates were increased significantly in group III (2.17 ± 0.24) and group IV (2.51 ± 0.27) animals. The GPx enzyme level also increased dose dependently (p < 0.01), but the level of GSH was found an insignificant hike. The heart, supposed to be the most adversely affected organ on cardiac glycoside administration, showed undisturbed values of enzyme levels. A noticeable elevation was observed in the serum CKMB and LDH enzyme levels in a dose dependent manner, but the extract did affect only the higher dosed animals (100 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05), In contrary to that, tissue homogenates of subacute animals under study showed a markedly significant hike in both CKMB and LDH levels. In conclusion, the level of toxicity and safety margin is very narrow, and the seeds really take lives of organisms, whose intake is accidentally or deliberately.

Thevetia peruviana has been used in Mexican traditional medicine for its slimming effects. Active fractions and compounds from T. peruviana were isolated and identified by means of gravitational open-column chromatography, and the fractions were evaluated on mice with MonoSodium Glutamate-induced obesity. Orlistat was used as positive control, and treatments were administered, orally, once a day for 8 weeks. The fraction with higher activity was sub-fractioned and, with the intention of avoiding using more mice, the fractions were analyzed by evaluating their capability to inhibit adipogenesis in the 3T3-L1 cell line. Animals treated with the F-B fraction revealed a significantly smaller weight increase and maintained adequate insulin sensitivity, and significantly lower blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. The active compounds that demonstrated greatest adipogenesis inhibition were palmitic acid (1), oleic acid (2), octadecanoic acid (3), 2-palmitoyl glycerol (4), 2-oleoyl glycerol (5) and stigmastenone (6).

The adsorption of methylene blue (MB) onto activated carbon with different potassium hydroxide (KOH) ratios was studied to determine the effect of the ratio on activated carbon’s removal efficiency...

Three novel bio-polymers were synthesized by cationic polymerization ofThevetiaperuvianaseed oil with styrene and divinylbenzene using modified boron trifluoride etherate as initiator. The cured thermosets ranging from soft to hard, were found to contain between 74.8 to 85.5 % cross linked materials with crosslink densities ranging from 1.33 x 103to 1.84 x 103mol/m3. The ultimate tensile strength of the materials varied from 0.52 to 0.55 Mpa, the young moduli is between 38.4 to 53.9 Mpa, the elongation at break varied from 55 to 64 %, the density of the polymers ranged between 0.850 to 0.866 gcm-3, the impact strength is between 2.31 to 2.81 J, while hardness ranged between 3.40 to 3.90 BHN. Overall, the newly synthesized materials fromThevetiaperuvianaoil have many potentials as new polymeric materials.

In this study, The essential oil of flowers, fruits, and leaves of Thevetia peruviana, which were collected in Vietnam, were being reported for the first time. The essential oil of flowers was extr...

The greater cane rat, as it is commonly known, is often called grasscutter (in Ghana, Nigeria and other regions of West Africa). Even though is highly patronized as a delicacy by a majority of Ghanaians (akrantie—Twi language) mostly in the rural areas, the persistent reports on people being poisoned as a result of eating food prepared with grasscutter which has been captured/killed by the use of poison are deterring people from consuming the grasscutter meat despite its high protein content. The objective of this study was, therefore, to investigate the actual ingredients that are used in the formulation of poison to capture grasscutter for human consumption. Questionnaires were administered to participants (farmers) who are involved in grasscutter hunting to solicit the ingredient they formulate to poison the grasscutter in their hunting. To prove the activeness of these ingredients, the main ingredient used in formulating the poison to capture the grasscutters were tested on two male grasscutters and these were yellow oleander root (Cascabela thevetia; syn: Thevetia peruviana) powder and carbofuran. The findings of the experimental trial revealed that the grasscutter that was fed with yellow oleander root powder did not die but showed some signs of intoxication and staggered each time it tried to move. However, the grasscutter fed with carbofuran died within 10 hr of being poisoned. Majority of the participants attested to the fact that the use of poison increases their chance of capturing the grasscutter, especially in the dry season since the poison is not washed away by the rainwater. However, consuming grasscutter poisoned with either yellow oleander root power or carbofuran could be detrimental to human health., Consuming grasscutter poisoned with either yellow oleander root power or carbofuran could be detrimental to our health. There is a need to increase public awareness.

In this 21st century cancer has become the second big reason for death next to heart attack in both developed and the developing countries. Worldwide, there are almost 2.1 million newly diagnosed breast cancer cases in 2018, accounting for 1 in 4 cancer cases among women. Triple Negative Human Breast Cancer is one of the types of human breast cancer. The plant extracts of Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum. has been used against the Triple Negative Human Breast Cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 for the current experiment All the 5 parts (leaf, stem, flower, fruit and seed) had been selected for the experiment and the extracts of the various parts were made in hydro-alcoholic solvent i.e. methanol: Water.

Phytochemical analysis of Thevetia neriifolia seeds resulted in the isolation of one new (1) and 23 known (2－24) cardenolide glycosides. The structure of 1 was determined based on one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic analysis and acid hydrolytic cleavage reaction. The effect of the cytotoxic activity of 1－24 on three human oral carcinoma cell lines was assessed. The cell lines included Ca9-22 human gingival carcinoma cells, HSC-2 human mouth carcinoma cells, HSC-4 human tongue carcinoma cells, and HGF human gingival fibroblast cells. The isolated compounds had a cytotoxic effect on the carcinoma cells with IC50 values ranging from 0.004 μM to 64.9 μM. The structure-activity relationship is also discussed.

The vagaries in climatic changes disrupt the prevailing weather conditions leading to temperature extremes and protracted rainfall pattern which subsequently affect the quality of forages. Ruminant animals had been implicated as a major source of enteric methane production to the greenhouse effect. Grazing on this low-quality forages extends the time of fattening thereby increasing the amount of methane produced. In this case, effort has been shifted to the feeding of agroforestry plants (browse and tree species) which are available all year round with high nutritive profile. Leaves of selected agroforestry plant species Thevetia peruviana (Pers) K. Schum, Piliostigma thonningii (Schumach.) Milne-Redhead, Spondia mombin L. and Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv.) Seem were harvested, dried, milled and analysed for their chemical constituents, mineral composition, in vitro and methane gas production. Data collected were analysed using one-way analysis of variance. Significant (p

Introduction: Yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana), which belongs to the Apocyanaceae family, is a common shrub seen throughout the tropics. All parts of the plant contain high concentrations of cardiac glycosides which are toxic to cardiac muscle and the autonomic nervous system. Here, we describe the clinical profile of patients with oleander poisoning and their outcomes. Methods and Materials: This retrospective study was conducted over a period of 12 months (March 2016 to February 2017). The data was extracted from the inpatient electronic medical records. Adult patients with a diagnosis of acute yellow oleander poisoning were included in the study. Descriptive statistics were obtained for all variables in the study and appropriate statistical tests were employed to ascertain their significance. Results: The study comprised 30 patients aged 30.77 ± 12.31 (mean ± SD) who presented at 12.29 ± 8.48 hours after consumption of yellow oleander. Vomiting (80%) was the most common presenting symptom. Metabolic abnormalities at presentation included hyperchloremia in 22 patients and metabolic acidosis (bicarbonate

Paper description: Helicoverpa armigera is a global agricultural pest of serious concern. As repeated field application of chemical insecticides has caused negative impacts on the human health, non-targets and the environment, the effects of β-sitosterol, an eco-friendly bioactive phytocomponent , was investigated on H. armigera . larvae. Different concentrations of β-sitosterol were incorporated in the larval diet to assess the effects on larval growth and development, and midgut enzymes . Dietary β-sitosterol inhibited larval growth, affecting later instars and pupae more, pointing to cumulative effects of β-sitosterol. β-sitosterol can be used in Helicoverpa management programs. Abstract: Helicoverpa armigera is a global agricultural pest of serious concern. Continued use of chemical insecticides as control measures has raised grave health and environment concerns, necessitating a search for botanicals as safe alternatives. The current study investigates the effects of β-sitosterol, a bioactive phytocomponent in Thevetia neriifolia, on the growth and development, as well as on midgut enzymes of H. armigera . Dietary β-sitosterol produced dose-dependent systemic toxicity and growth inhibitory effects in H. armigera ; the most significant effects were obtained with 10 µg/mL dietary β-sitosterol . Higher prepupal and pupal mortality in comparison to larval mortality and a comparatively greater reduction in average weight gained by later instars point to cumulative effects of β-sitosterol. The delayed effects were ascertained by the 82.05%-57.89% reduction in adult emergence in comparison to 95.02% emergence in controls. Dose-dependent effects of β-sitosterol were observed as significantly decreased enzyme activities of alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the larval midgut. Suppression of enzyme activity was obtained in the order ALT>AST>ALP. Impaired activity of gut enzymes possibly lowered the energy reserves and affected nutrient transport through the gut epithelium, affecting the growth and development of H. armigera. Our study points to a promising use of β-sitosterol against H. armigera , although further examination and field studies are needed to ascertain its possible use in control programs. https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS200308021M Received: March 8, 2020; Revised: April 28, 2020; Accepted: May 8, 2020; Published online: May 12, 2020 How to cite this article: Mishra M, Sharma A, Dagar VS, Kumar S. Effects of β-sitosterol on growth, development and midgut enzymes of Helicoverpa armigera Hubner. Arch Biol Sci. 2020;72(2):271-8.

A new potyvirus was found in Thevetia ahouai L. (Fam. Apocynaceae) plants exhibiting white spots on leaves and fruit discoloration in Ecuador. The complete genome sequences of two isolates of this virus, tentatively named "thevetia white spot virus" (ThWSV), were determined and found to be 9,912 (isolate 1) and 9,904 (isolate 2) nucleotides (nt) in length, each encoding a polyprotein of 363 kDa. Sequence comparisons between the two isolates showed 80 and 87% identity at the nt and amino acid (aa) level, respectively, whereas the overall sequence identity between ThWSV and its closest relative was 69% and 71% at the nt and aa level, respectively.

Thevetia peruviana is a medicinal plant that has valuable secondary terpenoid-type metabolites and phenolic compounds. Some flavonoid compounds of pharmaceutical interest stand out in the latter group. The concentration of these bioactive compounds in natural conditions is limited by environmental; therefore, it has been considered necessary to make in vitro plant cell suspension cultures that admit the use of elicitors to increase the content of active principles. Accordingly, in this study, for the optimization of flavonoid production in cell suspension culture of T. peruviana, different parameters related to elicitation with methyl jasmonate (MeJa), and salicylic acid (SA) were evaluated, at stirred flask scale. Firstly, 3 μM MeJa and 300 μM SA were added separately in cell cultures of T. peruviana, to assess their potential effects. Secondly, several experimental conditions were evaluated, for optimization purpose. In the first part, MeJa and SA increased the total flavonoid content, in 1.07 and 1.3 times, respectively, compared to the control culture; in the second part, total flavonoid content produced in MeJa mediated cell suspension cultures were 4.14 mg QE/g DW (milligrams of quercetin equivalent per gram of dry biomass) with: concentration 0.3 μM, addition time day 5 and harvest time 90 h. On the other hand, total flavonoid content produced in SA mediated cell suspension cultures were 3.75 mg QE/g DW with: concentration 100 μM, addition time day 0 and harvest time 96 h. Elicitation of cell suspension cultures of T. peruviana with MeJa and SA under their ideal parameter values increased flavonoid content.

An in vitro spermicidal effect of aqua-methanolic (2:3) extract of Thevetia peruviana leaves on human spermatozoa was evaluated in a dose-dependent manner (20, 40, 80 and 160 mg/ml) at a 1:1 ratio. Sperm motility, viability, hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) and acrosomal status and function tests were performed immediately (20 s), and after 5 and 10 min of exposure of the spermatozoa to the extract of Thevetia peruviana leaves at different dose concentrations. Nuclear chromatin decondensation (NCD) test, DNA fragmentation test and sperm revival test were also evaluated. The sperm motility was affected immediately at a dose of 20 mg/ml and reduced gradually at doses of 40 and 80 mg/ml of Thevetia peruviana extract. Complete immobilisation of spermatozoa was observed at 160 mg /ml dose of this extract treatment within 5 min. 50% immobilisation of spermatozoa (EC50) was observed at 28 mg/ml dose of Thevetia peruviana extract within 20 s. The sperm viability decreased significantly at a higher concentration of extract, and all spermatozoa were found to be non-viable after 10 min when treated with 160 mg/ml dose of Thevetia peruviana extract. HOS and NCD of spermatozoa also reduced gradually at a higher concentration of extract administration. The percentage of DNA damage in spermatozoa was four times greater than in the control group. The findings indicate that the hydro-methanolic extract of Thevetia peruviana leaves possesses appreciably potent spermicidal activity through an in vitro model, which may explore an effective vaginal contraceptive.

Cascabela thevetia (Thevetia peruviana) giant milkweed, is known for its pharmacological importance for centuries. The chemical constituents of Thevetia peruviana leaves are amyrin, amyrin acetate, ?-sitosterol, urosolic acid, cardenolides, calotropin. The anti-arthritic activity of Thevetia peruviana leaves in comparison with Diclofenac was evaluated through in-vitro studies. In-vitro studies revealed anti-arthritic effects (p< 0.05) of crude extracts of aqueous, methanolic, ethanolic and chloroform of Thevetia peruviana leaves on bovine serum albumin as evident for % inhibition protein denaturation. Different extracts of Thevetia peruviana leaves were found to possess in-vitro antiarthritic activity against BSA, using diclofenac as the reference standard which are Dose-dependent (100µg/ml, 250µg/ml, 500µg/ml). Chloroform extract has shown better activity comparing the other extracts.

Biodiesel has been accepted as a clean and an eco-friendly green diesel fuel by the entire world. In India, various non-edible oils have been tested for exploring their suitability as a fuel in diesel engines. In the north eastern states of India, many oil bearing seeds such as Koroch (a variety of Pongamia glabra), Nahar (Mesua ferrea), Terminalia (Terminalia belerica Robx), Kutkura (Meyna spinosa Roxb), Amari (Amoora Wallichii King), Yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana) and others are found in abundance. In this article, the Yellow oleander seed oil (YOSO) has been investigated for biodiesel production and characterization. The oil content in Yellow oleander seed is found to be 63.87%. The free fatty acid (FFA) content in YOSO is measured, and is found to be 32.0%; hence the two-step acid-base catalysis transesterification process has been adopted for producing biodiesel from the YOSO. YOSO contains 5.03% palmitic, 6.92% stearic, 48.14% oleic and 31.37% linoleic acid. The density, calorific value and kinematic viscosity of Yellow oleander fatty acid methyl ester (YO-FAME) are 879.7 kg/m3, 40.159 MJ/kg and 4.63 mm2/s respectively. Most of the fuel properties of YO-FAME meet ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 biodiesel standards. The YO-FAME exhibits a low sulphur content of 13.0 ppm and a high cetane number of 58.3. Fire point and pour point of YO-FAME were found to be 158°C and 5°C respectively. The physio-chemical properties of YO-FAME has been compared with FAME of Yellow oleander, Ratanjot (Jatropha curcus), Terminalia (Terminalia belerica Robx.) and Nahar (Mesua ferrea).

The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei, is one of the most important coffee berry borer pests in the world, reaching attack rates of 10-100% in Cameroon. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of crop control and the effects of aqueous extracts of Thevetia peruviana kernel powder and aqueous extracts, and oil of Azadirachta indica kernel powder against this insect. Crop control was firstly achieved by sanitary harvesting of bark beetle-infested berries and, secondly, by the installation of a network of home-made pheromone traps. The bark beetles were breeding in the laboratory and tests were also carried out on substitute foodstuffs such as maize and groundnuts. The efficacy of pesticidal plant extracts at four concentrations each was evaluated by direct applications of these on bark beetles and berries. The results showed that the reproduction rate of the borer was 11 times higher with coffee berries than with maize and groundnuts. After the direct treatment of the bark beetles, the aqueous extracts of T. peruviana showed a significantly average efficiency on the mortality of the bark beetles ranging from 0% to 94.9% of bark beetles killed. Oil extracts of A. indica and chlorpyrifos-ethyl (Pyriforce) were more effective against bark beetles with average mortality rates ranging from 78.7 to 100%. After direct treatment of the berries, oil and aqueous extracts of A. indica and chlorpyrifos-ethyl were the most effective treatments causing more than 50% mortality of the bark beetles. Oil of A. indica and aqueous extracts of T. peruviana can therefore be used in the same way as pyriforce in the protection of coffee plants against H. hampei.

Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K.Schum. (Apocynaceae) seeds are known to possess cardioactive glycosides such as thevetin A, thevetin B, nerifolin etc. They are also used locally for general pain relief for which there is no scientific evidence to our knowledge. Arthralgia is regarded generally as pain without inflammation. It is endemic in the society and sufferers continue to imbibe pain relieving drugs in their tons all over the world. Analgesic activity test was carried out using the formalin-induced pain models, at 0.1g, 0.2g and 0.3g/kg doses of n-hexane extracts of Thevetia peruviana seeds (HTp) in Wistar mice. Diclofenac was used as positive control. Acute toxicity test was carried out at doses of 1000, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg weight of test subject. It was observed that HTp at concentrations of 0.1g, 0.2g and 0.3g/kg showed significant analgesic effect at compared to the control. The percentage inhibition observed was 29.60%, 44.80% and 50.72% for the early pain phase and 100% for the late pain phase respectively, indicating HTp’s NSAID-like property. HTp showed the highest percentage inhibition at 300 mg/kg (50.72 %) and significant (P

This review aims at studying the phytochemistry and biological activities of some selected Apocynaceae plants. Eleven members of this family were reviewed for their phytochemistry and biological activities. Interestingly, the commonly isolated compounds reported from Mondia whitei (Hook.f.) Skeels, Secondatia floribunda A. DC, Carissa carandas, Tabernaemontana divaricate, Nerium oleander, Wrightia tinctoria, Tabernaemontana divaricate, Alstonia scholaris, Carrisa spinarum Linn, Thevetia peruviana and Caralluma lasiantha were triterpenoids, flavonoids, phytosterols, cardiac glycosides and lignans. All of them exhibited remarkable biological activities, mostly similar to each other. This review provides a detailed insight into the pharmacological activities of these selected members of this family.