Conifers have long been recognized for their therapeutic potential in different disorders. Alkaloids, terpenes and polyphenols are the most abundant naturally occurring phytochemicals in these plants. Here, we provide an overview of the phytochemistry and related commercial products obtained from conifers. The pharmacological actions of different phytochemicals present in conifers against bacterial and fungal infections, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are also reviewed. Data obtained from experimental and clinical studies performed to date clearly underline that such compounds exert promising antioxidant effects, being able to inhibit cell damage, cancer growth, inflammation and the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, an attempt has been made with the intent to highlight the importance of conifer-derived extracts for pharmacological purposes, with the support of relevant in vitro and in vivo experimental data. In short, this review comprehends the information published to date related to conifers' phytochemicals and illustrates their potential role as drugs.
- MeSH
- cévnaté rostliny chemie MeSH
- fytonutrienty chemie terapeutické užití MeSH
- klinické zkoušky jako téma MeSH
- lesy * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- neuroprotekce účinky léků MeSH
- rostlinné extrakty terapeutické užití MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The use of Hazomalania voyronii, popularly known as hazomalana, to repel mosquitoes and resist against insect attacks is handed down from generation to generation in Madagascar. In the present study, we investigated the ability of the essential oils (EOs) obtained from the stem wood, fresh and dry bark of H. voyronii to keep important mosquito vectors (Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus) away, as well as their toxicity on three insect species of agricultural and public health importance (Cx. quinquefasciatus, Musca domestica and Spodoptera littoralis). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hydrodistillation was used to obtain EOs from stem wood, fresh and dry bark. The chemical compositions were achieved by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Toxicity assays using stem wood and bark EOs were performed on larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus and S. littoralis, and adults of M. domestica by WHO and topical application methods, respectively. Mosquito repellent activity of the most effective EO, i.e. the bark one, was determined on human volunteers by arm-in-cage tests, and results were compared with that of the commercial repellent N,N-ddiethyl-m-toluamide (DEET). RESULTS: The H. voyronii EOs were characterized by oxygenated monoterpenes with perilla aldehyde (30.9-47.9%) and 1,8-cineole (19.7-33.2%) as the main constituents. The fresh and dry bark EOs were the most active on Cx. quinquefasciatus and S. littoralis larvae, respectively, with LC50/LD50 of 65.5 mg L-1, and 50.5 μg larva-1; the EOs from wood and fresh bark displayed the highest toxicity on M. domestica (LD50 values 60.8 and 65.8 μg adult-1, respectively). Repellence assay revealed an almost complete protection (>80%) from both mosquito species for 30 min when pure fresh bark EO was applied on the volunteers' arm, while DEET 10% repelled >80% of the mosquitoes up to 120 min from application. CONCLUSION: The traditional use of the bark EO to repel insects has been demonstrated although an extended-release formulation based on H. voyronii EOs is needed to increase the repellent effect over time. A wide spectrum of insecticidal activity has been provided as well, suggesting a possible use of H. voyronii EOs in the fabrication of green repellents and insecticides useful to control mosquito vectors and agricultural pests.
- MeSH
- Aedes účinky léků růst a vývoj MeSH
- časové faktory MeSH
- Culex účinky léků embryologie MeSH
- diethyltoluamid farmakologie MeSH
- dřevo * chemie MeSH
- Hernandiaceae * chemie MeSH
- kůra rostlin * chemie MeSH
- larva účinky léků růst a vývoj MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- moskyti - kontrola * MeSH
- moucha domácí účinky léků růst a vývoj MeSH
- oleje prchavé izolace a purifikace farmakologie MeSH
- oleje rostlin izolace a purifikace farmakologie MeSH
- repelenty proti hmyzu izolace a purifikace farmakologie MeSH
- Spodoptera účinky léků embryologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- srovnávací studie MeSH
Helichrysum faradifani (Asteraceae) is a perennial shrub growing in rocky and sandy places of Madagascar. The plant is used in the Malagasy traditional medicine as a wound-healing agent, disinfectant and for the treatment of syphilis, diarrhea, cough and headache. In the present work, we analysed the chemical composition of the essential oil distilled from the aerial parts of H. faradifani by GC-MS and evaluated its insecticidal activity against 2nd, 3rd and 4th instar larvae of the lymphatic filariasis vector Culex quinquefasciatus by acute toxicity assays. The most sensitive were 2nd instar (LC50 = 85.7 μL L-1) larvae. For the 3rd and 4th instar larvae, the estimated LC50 were 156.8 and 134.1 μL L-1, respectively. Monoterpene hydrocarbons (51.6%) were the major fraction of the essential oil, with the bicyclic α-fenchene (35.6%) as the predominant component. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (34.0%) were the second major group characterising the oil, with γ-curcumene (17.7%) as the most abundant component.
- MeSH
- Culex účinky léků MeSH
- Helichrysum chemie MeSH
- insekticidy chemie farmakologie MeSH
- komáří přenašeči účinky léků MeSH
- larva účinky léků MeSH
- monoterpeny analýza chemie MeSH
- nadzemní části rostlin chemie MeSH
- oleje prchavé chemie farmakologie MeSH
- plynová chromatografie s hmotnostně spektrometrickou detekcí MeSH
- rostlinné extrakty chemie MeSH
- seskviterpeny analýza chemie MeSH
- testy akutní toxicity MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Madagaskar MeSH
Pesticide resistance is going to change rapidly our antibiotics and insecticides arsenal. In this scenario, plant-derived natural products are considered valuable candidates to reverse this negative trend. Growing research attention is focused on neem (Azadirachta indica, Meliaceae), exploring the utility of its products as insecticides and antibiotics. In this review, we summarised the knowledge on neem oil and neem cake by-products in arthropod pest control, with special reference to mosquito vectors of public health importance. To the best of our knowledge, neem-borne products currently showed effective and eco-friendly features, including little non-target effects, multiple mechanisms of action, low cost, easy production in countries with limited industrial facilities. In particular, the potentiality of neem cake as ideal and affordable source of mosquitocidal compounds in anopheline and aedine control programmes is outlined. Overall, we propose the employ of neem-based products as an advantageous alternative to build newer and safer arthropod control tools.
- MeSH
- Azadirachta * MeSH
- etnobotanika MeSH
- glyceridy farmakologie MeSH
- insekticidy farmakologie MeSH
- kontrola škůdců MeSH
- terpeny farmakologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Mosquito vector control is facing a number of important and timely challenges, mainly due to the rapid development of pesticide resistance and environmental concerns. In this scenario, screening of botanical resources for their mosquitocidal activity may offer effective and eco-friendly tools against Culicidae vectors. Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) is a vector of lymphatic filariasis and of dangerous arboviral diseases, such as West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis. In this study, the chemical composition of five essential oils obtained from different plants, namely Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold var. italica (Pinaceae), Hyssopus officinalis L. subsp. aristatus (Lamiaceae), Satureja montana L. subsp. montana (Lamiaceae), Aloysia citriodora Palau (Verbenaceae) and Pelargonium graveolens L'Hér (Geraniaceae), was investigated by GC-MS analysis. Furthermore, it was evaluated their acute toxicity on larvae of C. quinquefasciatus. Then, the most effective oils were selected, in order to focus on the potential synergistic and antagonistic effects, testing them in binary mixtures on C. quinquefasciatus larvae. Results showed that the higher effectiveness was obtained by S. montana subsp. montana essential oil (LC50=25.6μL·L(-1)), followed by P. nigra var. italica (LC50=49.8μL·L(-1)) and A. citriodora (LC50=65.6μL·L(-1)), while the other essential oils showed LC50 values higher than 90μL·L(-1). The larvicidal effectiveness can be enhanced by preparing simple binary mixtures of essential oils, such as S. montana+A. citriodora (ratio 1:1), which showed higher larvicidal toxicity (LC50=18.3μL·L(-1)). On the other hand, testing S. montana+P. nigra (1:1) an antagonistic effect was detected, leading to a LC50 (72.5μL·L(-1)) higher than the LC50 values calculated for the two oils tested separately. Overall, our results add useful knowledge to allow the employ of synergistic essential oil blends as effective, cheap and eco-friendly mosquito larvicides.
- MeSH
- antagonismus léků MeSH
- borovice chemie MeSH
- Culex účinky léků MeSH
- elefantiáza filariová prevence a kontrola přenos MeSH
- encefalitida St. Louis prevence a kontrola přenos MeSH
- insekticidy chemie farmakologie MeSH
- komáří přenašeči účinky léků MeSH
- larva účinky léků MeSH
- listy rostlin chemie MeSH
- oleje prchavé chemie farmakologie MeSH
- oleje rostlin chemie farmakologie MeSH
- Pelargonium chemie MeSH
- plynová chromatografie s hmotnostně spektrometrickou detekcí MeSH
- Satureja chemie MeSH
- synergismus léků MeSH
- Verbenaceae chemie MeSH
- yzop chemie MeSH
- západonilská horečka prevence a kontrola přenos MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
In Cameroon, many dietary spices are used by traditional healers to cure several diseases such as cancer and microbial infections. Aframomum daniellii, Dichrostachys cinerea and Echinops giganteus are Cameroonian spices widely used as flavourings and as food additives. Moreover, they are traditionally herbal remedies employed to treat several diseases, as well as to control populations of insect pests. In this research, we analysed the chemical composition of A. daniellii, D. cinerea and E. giganteus essential oils and we evaluated their larvicidal potential against larvae of the filariasis and West Nile virus vector Culex quinquefasciatus. The essential oils were obtained from different plant parts by hydrodistillation and their composition was analysed by GC-MS. The three spices exhibited different volatile chemical profiles, being characterized by 1,8-cineole, sabinene and β-pinene (A. daniellii), geraniol and terpinen-4-ol (D. cinerea), and silphiperfol-6-ene and presilphiperfolan-8-ol (E. giganteus). Results showed that the highest larvicidal toxicity on Cx. quinquefasciatus was exerted by D. cinerea essential oil (LC50 = 39.1 μL L(-1)), followed by A. daniellii (pericarp essential oil: LC50 = 65.5 μL L(-1); leaves: LC50 = 65.5μL L(-1); seeds: LC50 = 106.5μL L(-1)) and E. giganteus (LC50 = 227.4 μL L(-1)). Overall, the chance to use the D. cinerea essential oil against Cx. quinquefasciatus young instars seems promising, since it is effective at moderate doses and could be an advantageous alternative to build newer mosquito control tools.
- MeSH
- Anopheles účinky léků růst a vývoj MeSH
- Culex účinky léků růst a vývoj MeSH
- filarióza přenos MeSH
- hmyz - vektory účinky léků růst a vývoj MeSH
- insekticidy chemie farmakologie MeSH
- koření analýza MeSH
- larva účinky léků růst a vývoj MeSH
- listy rostlin chemie MeSH
- moskyti - kontrola metody MeSH
- oleje prchavé chemie farmakologie MeSH
- rostlinné extrakty farmakologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Kamerun MeSH
Malaria transmission is a serious emergence in urban and semiurban areas worldwide, becoming a major international public health concern. Malaria is transmitted through the bites of Anopheles mosquitoes. The extensive employ of synthetic pesticides leads to negative effects on human health and the environment. Recently, plant-synthesized nanoparticles have been proposed as highly effective mosquitocides. In this research, we synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using the Azadirachta indica seed kernel extract as reducing and stabilizing agent. AgNP were characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometry, SEM, EDX, XRD and FTIR spectroscopy. The A. indica seed kernel extract was toxic against Anopheles stephensi larvae and pupae, LC50 were 232.8ppm (larva I), 260.6ppm (II), 290.3ppm (III), 323.4ppm (IV), and 348.4ppm (pupa). AgNP LC50 were 3.9ppm (I), 4.9ppm (II), 5.6ppm (III), 6.5ppm (IV), and 8.2ppm (pupa). The antiplasmodial activity of A. indica seed kernel extract and AgNP was evaluated against CQ-resistant (CQ-r) and CQ-sensitive (CQ-s) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. IC50 of A. indica seed kernel extract were 63.18μg/ml (CQ-s) and 69.24μg/ml (CQ-r). A. indica seed kernel-synthesized AgNP achieved IC50, of 82.41μg/ml (CQ-s) and 86.12μg/ml (CQ-r). However, in vivo anti-plasmodial experiments conducted on Plasmodium berghei infecting albino mice showed moderate activity of the A. indica extract and AgNP. Overall, this study showed that the A. indica-mediated fabrication of AgNP is of interest for a wide array of purposes, ranging from IPM of mosquito vectors to the development of novel and cheap antimalarial drugs.
- MeSH
- Anopheles účinky léků růst a vývoj parazitologie MeSH
- antimalarika farmakologie MeSH
- Azadirachta chemie metabolismus MeSH
- kovové nanočástice chemie MeSH
- kukla účinky léků parazitologie MeSH
- larva účinky léků parazitologie MeSH
- malárie parazitologie prevence a kontrola MeSH
- Plasmodium berghei účinky léků MeSH
- Plasmodium falciparum účinky léků MeSH
- stříbro farmakologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
