Management of collar rot disease in chili by farmyard manure and commercial biofertilizers

Collar rot of chili (Capsicum annuum L.) is a very destructive disease caused by a soil-borne fungal pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. Generally, chemical fungicides are used to combat the menace but this practice is being discouraged because of health and environmental concerns. In the present study, an alternative environment friendly strategy was used to manage this disease by using farmyard manure (FYM) and two commercial biofertilizers namely Biopower and Feng Shou. S. rolfsii inoculated pot soil was amended with 1% and 2% FYM and the two commercial biofertilizers. Inoculation of soil with S. rolfsii only (positive control) resulted in the highest disease incidence (73%) and plant mortality (60%). Biopower and Feng Shou application reduced disease incidence to 20% and 7%, respectively and plant mortality to 0%. Likewise, 1% and 2% FYM amendment reduced disease incidence to 33% and plant mortality to 26% and 7%, respectively. Under biotic stress of S. rolfsii, FYM and biofertilizers applications, either alone or in combination, significantly enhanced root and shoot growth over positive control. S. rolfsii inoculation significantly increased peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities in chili plants which were further increased by application of either of the two biofertilizers. The present study concludes that biofertilizers Biopower and Feng Shou alone or in combination with 2% FYM can be effectively utilized to manage southern blight of chili

Oleanolic acid (pentacyclic triterpenes) as a potential candidate for α-glycosidase inhibition activity

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a common health dilemma worldwide and is characterized by hyperglycemia. Inhibition in the activity of one of the digestive tract enzymes α-glucosidase is one of the therapeutic approaches to hydrolyze carbohydrates into glucose using natural agents. Many natural compounds with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity have transpired to be secondary metabolites. Monotheca buxifolia, native to Pakistan is a major medicinal tree, which has been known for its extensive pharmacological activities.Methods: α-glucosidase activity of ten isolated compounds (lupeol, lupeol acetate, betulin, β-sitosterol, β-amyrin, oleanolic acid, vanillic acid, protocatechuic acid, kaempferol and quercetin) from lipophilic hexane fraction of M. buxifolia (stem and leaves) was assessed against α-glucosidase enzyme using acarbose as a control.Results: All ten compounds hold α-glucosidase inhibition potential (91-99%). However, IC50 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) values of oleanolic acid (5 µM) were 8-fold lower than that of acarbose. Moreover, inhibition potencies of lupeol (15.87 µM), β-amyrin (18.14 µM) betulin (21.49 µM), quercetin (23.47 µM), and lupeol acetate (29.45 µM) were much stronger than the inhibitory effect obtained from acarbose (38.25 µM).Conclusion: Oleanolic acid of M. buxifolia exhibited a potent inhibitory effect against α-glucosidase, therefore, oleanolic acid may be utilized in medicinal formulations against diabetic disorders.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Enzyme inhibition; Medicinal plants; Pentacyclic triterpenes

ANTIFUNGAL POTENTIAL OF LEAF EXTRACTS OF LEGUMINOUS TREES AGAINST SCLEROTIUM ROLFSII

Background: Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. is a destructive soil-borne plant pathogen that infects over 500 plant species and causes significant yield losses in many economically important plant species. Synthetic fungicides used to combat the menace also pollute the environment and cause health hazards. In order to search environmental friendly alternatives from natural resources, in the present study, methanolic extracts of three leguminous tree species namely Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Delile subsp. indica (Benth.) Brenan, Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. and Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. were evaluated for their antifungal activity against S. rolfsii. Materials and Methods: Two hundred grams dried leaf material of each of the three test plant species were extracted with methanol for two weeks. After filtration, methanol was evaporated on a rotary evaporator. Malt extract broth was used to make various concentrations of the crude methanolic extracts and their antifungal potential was determined by comparing the fungal biomass in various treatments with control. Chemical composition of methanolic leaf extract of A. nilotica subsp. indica was determined through GC-MS analysis. Results: Methanolic leaf extract of A. nilotica subsp. indica showed the highest fungicidal activity. Fungal biomass was decreased by 17-55% due to various concentrations of this extract over control. Different concentrations of P. juliflora reduced fungal biomass by 3-52%. Fourteen compounds were identified in methanolic extract of A. nilotica subsp. indica. 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, methyl ester, (Z,Z,Z,)- (16.59%) was the most abundant compound followed by 1-pentanol, 2 methyl-, acetate (14.80%); hexanedioic acid, dimethyl ester (13.10%) and cyclotriaconta- 1, 7, 16, 22-tetraone (10.28%). Conclusion: This study concludes that methanolic leaf extract of A. nilotica subsp. indica can be used for management of S. rolfsii

In Vitro Antifungal Potential of Vanillic Acid against Sclerotium rolfsii

The worldwide demand for making agriculture greener, safer, and more efficient can be met aptly by the application of biopesticides. Vanillic acid is a naturally occurring versatile phenolic molecule with promising antifungal activity, however, there have been no studies of the possible use of vanillic acid for its antifungal activity against a serious soil-borne fungal plant pathogen namely Sclerotium rolfsii. This study was performed to assess the antifungal potential of vanillic acid by analyzing growth, morphological, and biochemical changes in S. rolfsii under laboratory conditions. The results revealed that vanillic acid (0.003-0.10 %) significantly reduced fungal growth, distorted fungal morphology (hyphae, and sclerotia), altered activity of enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase). However, 0.05 and 0.10 % concentrations caused complete inhibition in the fungal growth. The results explained in this work serve as a basis for further research to formulate fungicides using vanillic acid

Essential oil of Eucalyptus citriodora: Physio-Chemical analysis, Formulation with Hand Sanitizer Gel and Antibacterial Activity

Background: The essential oil-bearing plants are extensively being used in traditional systems of medicine due to the occurrence of the diversity of phytochemical constituents. The emerging crisis of developing resistance to conventional drugs has increased public health awareness and reliance on natural compounds as safer alternatives.Methods: The essential oil extracted from Eucalyptus citriodora (Hook.) leaves was characterized for physicochemical attributes, formulated with hand sanitizer gel, tested for organoleptic parameters, and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis.Results: E. citriodora essential oil (EEO) had a camphorous scent, and dark yellow coloration, while exhibiting 0.60% yield (v/w, 97% pure), 0.94 density, 1.47 refractive index, 11.10 viscosity, 0.92 specific gravity, 0.0-9.98º optical rotation, 11.20 acid number, 50.60 ester number, which satisfy the standards specified by ISO (The International Organization for Standardization). The chromatographic analysis of oil identified eucalyptol as the most abundant compound (80.08%) followed by α-terpinyl acetate, isopinocarveol, and globulol as the moderately abundant compounds (4.46-4.81%), while viridiflorol and terpinen-4-ol as less abundant compounds (3.06 and 2.69%, respectively). Formulated hand sanitizer with EEO exhibited physical and microbiological properties that were comparable with the market products. It also had a pleasant scent, was compatible with the skin, was easy to apply, and is acceptable to the users.Conclusion: The current study clearly shows that EEO could be utilized as a potential ingredient in alcohol-based gel hand sanitizer formulation for giving a pleasant smell, acceptable physical appearance and microbial quality parameters.Keywords: Essential oil; Eucalyptol; Hand sanitizer; Gel Formulation; Antimicrobial effect

Quantitative analysis of some important metals and metalloids in tobacco products by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

BACKGROUND: Large scale usage of tobacco causes a lot of health troubles in human. Various formulations of tobacco are extensively used by the people particularly in developing world. Besides several toxic tobacco constituents some metals and metalloids are also believed to pose health risks. This paper describes inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometric (ICP-MS) quantification of some important metals and metalloids in various brands of smoked, sniffed, dipped and chewed tobacco products. RESULTS: A microwave-assisted digestion method was used for sample preparation. The method was validated by analyzing a certified reference material. Percentage relative standard deviation (% R.S.D.) between recovered and certified values was < 5.8. Linearity value for calibration curve of each metal was 1 > r > 0.999. Improved limits of detection (LODs) were in range of ng/L for all elements. Fe, Al and Mn were found to be in the highest concentration in all types of tobacco products, while Zn, Cu, Ni and Cr were below the average concentration of 40 μg/g, and Pb, Co, As, Se and Cd were below 5 μg/g. All elements, apart from Pb, were high in concentration in dipping tobacco in comparison to other tobacco products. Generally, the order of all elemental concentration can be expressed in different tobacco products as chewing < smoked < sniffing < dipping. However, smoked and sniffing will interchange their position in the case of Mn, Cu, Se and Cd. Multivariate statistical analyses were also performed to evaluate the correlation and variations among tobacco products. CONCLUSIONS: The present study highlights the quantification of some important metals and metalloids in a wide spectrum of tobacco formulations. The outcome of this study would be beneficial for health authorities and individuals

National guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma

©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

DNA methylation profile of multiple genes involved in bladder cancer among Saudi population – A pilot study

Background: To identify bladder cancer specific methylated DNA sequences for the Saudi population in order to detect and predict bladder cancer progression.Methods: In this study, we analysed DNA methylation levels of 48 tumour suppressor genes loci in 24 bladder tissues (19 bladder cancer samples and 5 control samples taken from histologically normal bladders).  DNA Methylation analysis was done using Human Tumour Suppressor Genes EpiTect Methyl II Complete PCR Array from Qiagen TM.Results: We identified significant difference in DNA hypermethylation levels at APC, BRCA1, CDH1, CDH13, CDKN2A, DAPK1, ESR1, FHIT, MGMT, RASSF1, SOCS1, TIMP3, TP73, VHL, WIF1 between controls and cancerous samples. It was also observed that CADM1 and DKK3 were differentially methylated in non-muscle invasive versus muscle invasive bladder cancer samples. Additionally, DNA hypermethylation of ESR1 was notified as the novel tumour suppressor gene specific for the Saudi population in bladder cancer.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that these aberrant DNA methylation patterns in bladder cancer are disease and population specific and have a potential to develop as distinct DNA methylation-based biomarkers in future.Keywords: Bladder Cancer; DNA methylation; Epigenetics; Hypermethylation; Tumor Markers  

Does green finance matter for environmental safety? empirical evidence from the atomic power states

The heightened risk of global warming has attracted the special attention of researchers and policymakers towards the linkage between economic growth and environmental protection. Thus, this study examines the effects of FDI inflow, GDP, trade openness, urbanisation level, and nuclear energy consumption on environmental pollution factor CO2 emissions by using the STIRPAT model (1997). Furthermore, this study also examines the moderating role of green financing by analysing the data of eight nuclear power states from 2008 to 2019. The results revealed that foreign direct investment, gross domestic product, and urbanisation as increased contributors to CO2 emissions, thus damaging the environment. Whereas trade openness, nuclear energy consumption, and green financing have an inverse relation with CO2 which means they positively contribute to the environment of the nuclear power states. The outcomes also reveal that green financing negatively moderates the relationships and positively contributes toward environmental safety (reduces CO2). The findings have paved the way for the regulators to increase their focus on green finance to play a positive role in environment preservation and conservation alongside economic growth. Not only that, but the results also imply that the policymakers should direct their efforts to promote nuclear energy production and consumption to cater to the surging energy needs