Azadirachta indica induced suppression of Mycobacterium tuberculosis secreted proteins in human monocyte

The H37Rv strain of MTB was grown in modified Sauton’s medium till mid-log phase. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated by density gradient sedimentation on Ficoll-Paque separation medium. Adherent monocytes obtained from PBMC’s were infected with H37Rv for 90 min. in the ratio of 1:1 (1 bug: 1 cell). Thereafter, after washing, infected cells were co-cultured with varying doses of neem extract for 24 hrs, and harvested subsequently. Modulation of secreted TNF-[alpha], iNOS and MTB Ag85 complex expressions in culture supernatants was estimated by ELISA.
We report the high basal expression of secreted tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] (TNF-[alpha]), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and MTB Ag85 complex in MTB-infected monocytes was suppressed by neem extract in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.001 for all). A concentration of 1ug/ml of neem extract showed a suppression by ~ 2.5-fold (P<0.001), 1.7-fold (P<0.001) and 1.8-fold (P<0.001) in the expressions of
secreted TNF-[alpha], iNOS and MTB Ag85 respectively in 24 hr culture supernatants of MTB-infected monocytes.
Thus, neem extract seems to be a potential future adjunct for in-depth studies in the management of tuberculosis

Biopesticidal effect of leaf extract of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) on growth parameters and diseases of tomato

This paper investigates the potential use of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) aqueous leaf extract on the growth, yield and disease control of a common vegetable plant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The neem extract increased shoot height, number of branches, number of leaves, number of buds, number of flowers and number of fruits of tomato plant over controls in different treatments. Numbers of diseases were calculated as percentage and disease/plant. The percentage of reduction of disease was calculated after the spray of neem extract on plants. Neem extract was found effectively in controlling canker (50.32%), early blight (55.12%), wilt (59.45%), leaf spot (55.48%), fruit spot (41.93%), blossom end rot (40.86%) and sun scald (25.61%) in comparison to controls under field condition. Thus, biopesticides can contribute in reducing use of chemical pesticides and subsequently minimize its hazards to the environment and human health

Efikasi Campuran Minyak Cengkeh Dan Ekstrak Biji Mimba Untuk Pengendalian Penyakit Karat (Phakopsora Pachyrhizi) Pada Kedelai (Glycine Max)

Efficacy of clove oil and neem extract control rust (Phakopsora rapachyrhizi) disease on soybean (Glycine max). Rust is the major disease on soybean. It was widely spread in almost all soybean production areas in the world. Yield losses can reach 85%. One of the control measured was sprayed with a mixture of clove oil and neem extract. The objective of the research was found the information of the clove oil and neem extract effectivity control soybean rust. The research consisted of two phases as followed: 1) the efficacy of clove oil and neem extract dilution control soybean rust disease. 2) the efficacy of clove oil, neem extract and soap berry (Sapindus rarak) extract control soybean rust disease. The research was conducted at Kendalpayak Experimental Station and the green house of Indonesian Legumes and Tuber Crops Research Institute, Malang District, in dry season of 2012 and 2013 respectively. The research was arranged in randomized block design. Treatments were various comparison between clove oil, neem extract and soap berry. Parameters observed were rust disease intensity and yield components. Results showed that a mixture of clove oil and neem extract with ratio of 60:40 (v:v) can inhibit rust disease intensity by 45% compared with control, increase the number of pods by 60% and preventing the yieldloss of 20%. Furthermore, a mixture of clove oil, neem extract and berry soap (Sapindus rarak) with a 50:30:20 ratio (v:v:v) can inhibit rust disease intensity up to 28% and 24% in the field and green house respectively and prevent yield loss by 12%

Repellant effect of neem formulation and aqeuous extract of Melia azedarach on greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood, Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The present study assessed the repellence activities of two biopesticides viz. a formulation of neem, neem baan and aqueous extract of Melia azedarach (Dharek) kernels against crawlers of greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). The maximum repellency (22.07%) was recorded at 10 % concentration of dharek extract followed by Neem Baan at 0.0025 % concentration (18.33%). The minimum repellency (4.71%) was observed at 0.0005 % concentration of Neem baan. These results indicate a potential use of neem baan and aqueous dharek kernel extracts in management of greenhouse whitefly

Efektivitas Ekstrak Daun Mimba (Azadirachta Indica a. Juss) Terhadap Pertumbuhan Koloni Alternaria Porri Penyebab Penyakit Bercak Ungu Pada Bawang Wakegi (Allium X Wakegi Araki) Secara in Vitro

Purple blotch disease ( A. porri ) is to known as a main disease on onions it has becomes and has become endemic in central planting and it creates a lot of financial lose to farmer. Using neem leaf as a potential alternative pesticide can control the purple blotch on onion. The aim of this research was to determine the inhibition of neem leaf extract toward of fungal pathogens A. porri. This research was conducted in Laboratory of Plant Diseases Faculty of Agriculture, Tadulako University Central Sulawesi Palu. This research was conducted on August until November 2015. Method of this research was mixing neem leaf extract concentrate of 0.4% , 0.6% , 0,8% and 1% into the PDA. Results of this research show that neem leaf extract which is concentrate 1% more effective to press the inhibitory growth of A. porri was 43.33%

Present and future potential of plant-derived products to control arthropods of veterinary and medical significance

The use of synthetic pesticides and repellents to target pests of veterinary and medical significance is becoming increasingly problematic. One alternative approach employs the bioactive attributes of plant-derived products (PDPs). These are particularly attractive on the grounds of low mammalian toxicity, short environmental persistence and complex chemistries that should limit development of pest resistance against them. Several pesticides and repellents based on PDPs are already available, and in some cases widely utilised, in modern pest management. Many more have a long history of traditional use in poorer areas of the globe where access to synthetic pesticides is often limited. Preliminary studies support that PDPs could be more widely used to target numerous medical and veterinary pests, with modes of action often specific to invertebrates. Though their current and future potential appears significant, development and deployment of PDPs to target veterinary and medical pests is not without issue. Variable efficacy is widely recognised as a restraint to PDPs for pest control. Identifying and developing natural bioactive PDP components in place of chemically less-stable raw or 'whole’ products seems to be the most popular solution to this problem. A limited residual activity, often due to photosensitivity or high volatility, is a further drawback in some cases (though potentially advantageous in others). Nevertheless, encapsulation technologies and other slow-release mechanisms offer strong potential to improve residual activity where needed. The current review provides a summary of existing use and future potential of PDPs against ectoparasites of veterinary and medical significance. Four main types of PDP are considered (pyrethrum, neem, essential oils and plant extracts) for their pesticidal, growth regulating and repellent or deterrent properties. An overview of existing use and research for each is provided, with direction to more extensive reviews given in many sections. Sections to highlight potential issues, modes of action and emerging and future potential are also included

Deterrent effect of plant extracts against Callosobruchus maculatus on stored cowpea in Saurashtra (Gujarat, India)

A laboratory study was conducted at the JAU, Junagadh (Gujarat) during 2013-14 on the deterrent effect of different aqueous plant extracts against pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in stored seeds of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.). Among different aqueous extracts of plants materials, maximum percentage of oviposition deterrence was observed in custard apple seed extract (67.19%), custard apple leaf extract (65.95%), neem seed extract (65.44%), mustard seed extract (64.65%) and jatropha leaf extract (64.16%) at 5 per cent concentration. The maximum adult emergence reduction was seen in custard apple seed extract (78.45%), custard apple leaf extract (77.14%) and neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) (77.09%) at 5 per cent dose level. Minimum weight loss percentage was observed in the cowpea seeds treated with custard apple seed extract at 5% dose level, which recorded 79.20%. The results revealed that all of the tested materials with some variations had deterrent and toxic effects against the pest

Physiological Response Of Laying Birds To Neem (Azadirachta Indica) Leaf Meal-Based Diets: Body Weight Organ Characteristics And Haematology

A 12-weeks feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leafmeal (NLM) on body weight gain, carcass and organ characteristics and haematological values of laying hens. The leaves were harvested, chopped to facilitate drying in the sun until they became crispy but still greenish in coloration. The Sun-dried leaves were milled using a hammer mill to produce the leaf meal. Four layers diets were formulated to contain the NLM at 0%,5%, 10% and 15% dietary levels respectively and were used to feed 120 Shikka brown layers already 10 months in lay. The birds were divided into 4 groups of 30 each and randomly assigned to the 4 treatment diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). NLM did not show any appreciable difference in weight gain between the birds at 0% and those at 5%, 10% dietary levels. Carcass weight, dressed weight, liver, heart and gizzard weights were significantly (P<0.05) increased at 5% dietary level of NLM. There were no significant difference in Hb and PCV between birds on O% and 5% treatment diets. However, these differed significantly (P<0.05%) from those of birds on 10% and 15% treatment diets. There were variations in the differential WB count , marked lymphocytopenia adversely affected the total leucocyte counts in the birds on 5%, 10% and 15% treatment diets. The results of this study suggest that laying birds could tolerate 5%- 15% dietary levels of NLM without deleterious effects

Development of disease control strategies for organically grown field vegetables (DOVE) (OF0168)

This is the final report of Defra project OF0168 (DOVE). The attached main report starts with a more detailed and comprehensive Executive Summary, from which this text has been extracted. This project aimed to improve understanding and awareness of diseases in organic field vegetables. Diseases pose a threat to both quality and yield, and both must be managed if organic production is to expand and remain sustainable. Objective 1. To review the significance of diseases in organically grown field vegetables and the potential effectiveness of current control strategies when the scale of production is increased. Objective 2. To evaluate novel techniques and strategies for control of diseases in organically grown field vegetables Objective 3. To monitor disease development in organic crops in relation to rotation and size of enterprise. Objective 4. To update, produce and publicise advisory literature for disease control in organic field vegetables. Literature review The philosophy of disease control in organic systems was reviewed together with recent literature on diseases and disease control in organic field vegetables. A wider literature on disease control in conventional agriculture and horticulture was also considered in order to provide novel approaches for organic producers. Novel approaches The benefits of using wider plant spacing and mulches of paper or black, red or blue polythene for control of lettuce diseases was investigated in two replicated field experiments on cv. Saladin in 1999. Lettuce variety mixtures were used to investigate their value for control of downy mildew. Mixtures often have positive effects in addition against pests, weeds and abiotic stress. Glasshouse experiments with foliar spray treatments were carried out to determine the spectrum of activity of a range of organic treatments against lettuce downy mildew, grey mould of lettuce and dark leaf spot of brassicas. All treatments gave significant control of lettuce downy mildew and dark leaf spot, but none (except the conventional standard) showed activity against grey mould. Field evaluation of foliar treatments was carried out in 2000 and 2001. It would appear that some organic treatments can provide effective control of foliar diseases, but they need to be used as protectant sprays with a short interval between treatments. Soil amendments with green crop residues, composts, manures and other treatments were evaluated in glasshouse pot experiments against various soil-borne diseases with mixed results. Disease monitoring Disease observations were made on 5 organic farms selected to provide different scales of production and contrasting regional differences. The results provide new information to suggest that larger scale production is more prone to disease problems. This observation is consistent with other epidemiological studies, including the mixture effect, which suggest that increasing the diversity of potential disease hosts per unit area tends to reduce the probability of infection. The presence of the weed parasite spores and of semiochemicals released from the weeds could have some influence in restricting disease development in crops through induction of resistance. Growers reported that potato blight was the most frequent problem each year during 1999-2001, followed by downy mildews on onions, brassica seedlings and lettuce, celery leaf spot and leek rust. Conclusions Diseases are common in organic vegetable crops, but severe infection leading to significant losses of yield or quality affected few crops (11%). Seed-borne diseases are important and availability of healthy seed would reduce losses in vegetables. Soil-borne diseases continue to trouble organic growers and can be managed through rotation or avoiding badly infested areas. Organic growers can exploit genetic diversity through cultivar and species mixtures, but development and guidance is required to develop practical systems. Disease management using organic conditioners, biological control agents and soil amendments merit investigation in farm-scale experiments. Key components of disease management strategies for organic vegetables have been made available to growers in a booklet produced as part of this project