Fumigant Toxicity of Mentha arviensis Leaves Extracts on Coptotermes heimi, Heterotermes indicola and Their Gut fFlagellates

The extract of Mentha arviensis (mint) has been found to have considerable application against microbial diseases. The present study is designed to check the insecticidal properties of Mentha arviensis. Crude extract of the leaves of Mentha arviensis was obtained in benzene-ethanol (2:1) solvent using soxhelt apparatus and dried extract was applied (25mg, 50mg and 100 mg) against termite workers, soldiers and their gut flagellates of Coptotermes heimi and Heterotermes indicola. A significant increase in mortality of termite workers, soldiers and their gut flagellates was observed depending upon a lethal dose over time, in both termite species. It, however, took a relatively longer time period to achieve 100% mortality of flagellates than their respective hosts. The dose dependent death of flagellates over time also indicates the mortality of flagellates was found to be associated with fumes originated from the extract of the plants as in starvation, termites and their associated flagellates can survive for three to four days and also their was no mortality of workers and their flagellates, in control. Thus Mentha arviensis extract can be safely used to control termites and other pests

The Effect of some Protozoacides, on the Survival of Symbiotic Flagellates of Coptotermes heimi and Heterotermes indicola.

Coptotermes heimi and Heterotermes indicola are lower termites which harbor protists flagellates for the digestion of lignocelluloses, a main component of wood. In the present work effect of anti-protozoan chemicals, sulfaquinoxaline, sulfadimidine, diaviridine, entox and resochin was observed on the workers and soldiers of the two selected termite species and their gut flagellates. Filter papers were dipped in 10ml solution of 2% anti-protozoan chemicals, dried at room temperature and termites were forced to feed on these filter papers placed in the petriplates and maintained at 2

Protozoidal activities of Eucalyptus cammeldulensis, Dalbergia sissoo and Acacia arabica woods and their different parts on the entozoic flagellates of Heterotermes indicola and Coptotermes heimi

Different parts of three woods of Eucalyptus cammeldulensis, Dalbergia sissoo and Acacia arabica were analyzed for their toxicity potentials against two species of termites (Heterotermis indicola and Coptotermis heimi). Termite workers were allowed to feed on 2 g complete wood powder of plant species and their parts, including; bark, sapwood and heartwood. Samples of flagellates were collected after each 24 h from the termites’ gut and they showed a significant variation in their mortality rate as per the wood species and their parts used in the experiments. After six days, mortality rates in flagellates were 100% with all wood parts of E. cammeldulensis, whereas it was 87.2, 47.61 and 100% with bark, sapwood and heartwood of D. sissoo respectively. However, in the case of A. Arabica, only bark inflicted 44.5% mortality on the flagellates in termites on the 6th day. It is revealed from the results that different woods or their specific parts have some specific toxic compounds that inflicted varying degree of toxicity on enteric flagellates of termites. Considering the toxigenic nature of different woods and their respective parts, the three woods; E. cammeldulensis, D. sissoo and A. arabica and their parts barks, sapwoods and heartwoods were analyzed for the presence of water soluble constituents such as lignin, benzene-ethanol soluble components and alpha cellulose contents. However, it is highly recommended that such protozoicidal compounds should be isolated, purified and biochemically characterized in order to apply them as commercial products for the control of pest like termites, which cause a huge damage to woody plants, and their products.Keywords: Bark, sapwood, heartwood, Eucalyptus cammeldulensis, Dalbergia sissoo, Acacia arabica, termite flagellate

Morphometric analysis of soldier cast of Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) and Microtermes obesi (Holmgren) (Blattodea: Termitidae; Macrotermitinae) from three localities of Potohar region, Pakistan

A great diversity of termite species is found all over the world, among these 53 species are identified from Pakistan. The knowledge about morphological features in soldier cast of termites is proved to be a technical tool for taxonomy and identification. In the present studies, the morphometric variations of external morphology in soldier caste of Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) and Microtermes obesi (Holmgren) from three different areas i.e. Gujar Khan (A), Rawalpindi (B) and Islamabad (C) were studied. About 36 characters like body, thorax, abdomen, from head to mandible tip, head, pronotum, postmentum, mandible, antenna (scape, pedicle, flagellum), and legs parts were used for morphometric measurements. The data were statistically analyzed for significant differences in their mean, standard deviation, standard error, 95% confidence interval, coefficient of variability and analysis of variance. “Student t-test” was used for the comparison of mean values using Minitab version 16. The results of the present study revealed no significant differences among the population samples collected from various localities. However little variations were observed in a few characters like antennal segments (pedicle, scape) and legs (trochanter, tibia) among the soldier cast which are adaptive in nature to survive in the environment

Biocidal action, characterization, and molecular docking of Mentha piperita (Lamiaceae) leaves extract against Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae.

Mosquitoes are found in tropical and subtropical areas and are the carriers of a variety of diseases that are harmful to people's health. e.g., malaria, filariasis, chikungunya, dengue fever, etc. Although several insecticides are available, however, due to insect resistance and environmental hazards, more eco-friendly chemicals are needed for insect control. So, the current research was planned to explore the prospective of Mentha piperita to be used for the formulation of larvicides against mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. The ethanolic and water extracts of M. piperita leaves were prepared using the soxhlet apparatus. The extracts were dried and subjected to prepare five concentrations multiple of 80 ppm. Each concentration was applied for its larvicidal efficacy setting an experiment (in triplicate) in plastic containers of 1000 ml with extracts, 30 larvae of all four instars separately, and fed with dog biscuits along with controls. Observations were taken after each 12 hrs. till 72 hrs. The antioxidant perspective of M. piperita was determined by DPPH radical scavenging, total antioxidant capacity, and ferric reducing power assays. Using brine shrimp lethality bioactivity, the cytotoxic study was perceived. Standard techniques were used to classify the M. piperita extract using preliminary qualitative and quantitative phytochemicals, UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, and GC-MS analysis. M. piperita ethanolic leaves extract after 24 hrs. of exposure in 400 ppm showed 93% (LC50 = 208.976 ppm) mortality in ethanolic extract and 80% (LC90 = 246.900 ppm) in the water extract. In treated larvae, biochemical examination revealed a substantial (P<0.05) decrease in proteins, carbohydrates, and fat contents. The ethanol extract of M. piperita was the most efficient, killing brine shrimp nauplii in 50% to 90% of cases. TAC (125.4 3.5gAAE/mg DW) and FRP (378.1 1.0gAAE/mg DW) were highest in the ethanolic extract of M. piperita. The presence of medicinally active components such as alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, and others in M. piperita leaves extract in ethanol was discovered. The UV-Vis spectrum showed two peaks at 209.509 and 282.814 nm with the absorption of 2.338 and 0.796 respectively. The FT-IR consequences exhibited the occurrence of alcohols, alkanes, aldehyde, aromatic rings, ether linkage, ester, and halo- compounds. The GC-MS analysis according to peak (%) area and retention time showed ten phytochemicals consisting of six major and four minor compounds. Among all the compounds, 1, 2-benzene dicarboxylic acid, and 3-ethyl-5, 5-dimethyl -6-phenyl bound well to the NS3 protease domain with PDB ID: 2FOM. Hence, for the prevention of health hazards and mosquito control, M. Piperita is a potential source of chemicals for insecticide formulation

Phytochemical analysis, Antioxidant and Antiprotoscolices potential of ethanol extracts of selected plants species against Echinococcus granulosus: In-vitro study

Cystic Echinococossis is a serious zoonotic parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus species complex. The current study was designed to evaluate the in-vitro antiprotoscolices effect of alcoholic extracts of three selected medicinal plants including Buxus Wallichiana, Berberis vulgaris and Euphorbia heliscopia against Echinococcus granulosus. Fertile hydatid cysts were collected from livestock and viability of the protoscolices was confirmed by 0.1% eosin red stain method. Protoscolices were subjected to three different concentrations of alcoholic extracts (10mg/ml, 30mg/ ml and 50mg/ml) for 10, 20 and 30 min. The highest efficacy was shown by B. vulgaris (97.92%) followed by B. wallichiana (65.98%) and E. heliscopia (61.22%) respectively, after exposure of 30 minutes at 50mg/ml concentration, that lead to the significant reduction in the viability of protoscolices. Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponnins were identified qualitatively and weighted quantitatively, that might help in the identification of bioactive compounds involved in selective action on the tegument layer of protoscolices. Alcoholic extracts of all the three selected medicinal plants showed toxic activities against protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus. These findings suggest that all the selected medicinal plants could be a promising source of potent antiprotoscolices effect. However, the mechanism by which plant extracts killed protoscolices and also their safety for living cells are unclear and need to be investigated further

Failure of an Innovative Low-Cost, Noninvasive Thermotherapy Device for Treating Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania tropica in Pakistan

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a neglected parasitic skin disease, is endemic in Pakistan, where Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major are the causative protozoan species. Standard treatment with antimonial injections is long, painful, and costly; has toxic side effects; and is not always available in public hospitals. Small pilot studies have previously evaluated a low-cost and noninvasive hand-held exothermic crystallization thermotherapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis (HECT-CL) device. We aimed to further establish the effectiveness, safety, and feasibility of HECT-CL in L. tropica. In a prospective observational study, patients with parasitological confirmation of CL were treated using the HECT-CL heat pack for 3 minutes with an initial temperature of 52-53°C for 7 consecutive days. Dried blood spot samples were taken for species identification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Effectiveness was assessed by using medical photographs and measurements of the lesion size at baseline and subsequent follow-up visits, for up to 180 days. We intended to enroll 317 patients. The HECT-CL treatment was easy to apply and well tolerated. Species identification demonstrated the presence of L. tropica. Interim analysis of 56 patients showed a failure rate of 91% at follow-up (median 45 days after treatment, interquartile range 30-60 days). Enrollment of patients was prematurely suspended because of futility. This study showed a high failure rate for HECT-CL thermotherapy in this setting. Leishmania tropica is known to be less sensitive to antileishmanial drugs, more temperature-resistant, and spontaneous healing is slower than that in L. major. More research is needed to identify low-cost, effective, and more patient-friendly treatment for L. tropica

Prevalence of clinical malaria and household characteristics of patients in tribal districts of Pakistan.

BackgroundMalaria, disproportionately affects poor people more than any other disease of public health concern in developing countries. In resource-constrained environments, monitoring the occurrence of malaria is essential for the success of national malaria control programs. Militancy and military conflicts have been a major challenge in monitoring the incidence and controlling malaria and other emerging infectious diseases. The conflicts and instability in Afghanistan have resulted in the migration of refugees into the war-torn tribal districts of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province and the possible introduction of many contagious epidemics. Although malaria is very common in all tribal districts, molecular, clinical and epidemiological data are scarce in these high-burden districts. Therefore, for the proper surveillance, detection, and control of malaria, obtaining and analyzing reliable data in these districts is essential.Methodology/principal findingsAll 1,127 malaria-suspected patients were sampled within the transmission season in the tribal districts of KPK province between March 2016 to December 2018. After a detailed demographic and clinical investigation of malaria-suspected patients, the data were recorded. The data of the control group was collected simultaneously at the same site. They were considered as uncomplicated cases for statistical analyses. Blood samples were collected from malaria-suspected patients for the detection of Plasmodium species using microscopy and nested PCR (nPCR). Microscopy and nPCR examination detected 78% (n = 882) and 38% (n = 429) Plasmodium-positive patients, respectively. Among1,127 of 429nPCR detected cases with both species of malaria, the frequency of complications was as follows: anemia (n = 71; 16.5%), decompensated shock (n = 40; 9%), hyperpyrexia (n = 117; 27%), hyperparasitaemia (n = 49; 11%) hypoglycemia (n = 45; 10.5%), jaundice (n = 54; 13%), multiple convulsions (n = 37; 9%), and petechia (n = 16; 4%). We observed that 37% (n = 157 out of 429) of those patients infected by both Plasmodium species were children between the ages of 1 and 15 years old. The results revealed that Bajaur (24%), Kurram (20%), and Khyber (18%) districtshada higher proportion of P. vivax than P. falciparum cases. Most of the malaria cases were males (74%). Patients infected by both Plasmodium species tended to less commonly have received formal education and ownership of wealth indicators (e.g., fridge, TV set) was lower.Conclusions/significanceMalaria in tribal districts of the KPK province largely affects young males. P. vivax is a major contributor to the spread of malaria in the area, including severe malaria. We observed a high prevalence of P. vivax in the Bajaur district. Children were the susceptible population to malaria infections whereas they were the least expected to use satisfactory prevention strategies. A higher level of education, a possession of TV sets, the use of bed nets, the use of repellent fluids, and fridges were all associated with protection from malaria. An increased investment in socio-economic development, a strong health infrastructure, and malaria education are key interventions to reduce malaria in the tribal districts