Patch testing with expired Indian patch test kits: Results of a pilot study

Background: The reliability of patch testing with expired Indian standard patch test kits has been not evaluated before. Methods: Thirty adults (men:women 25:5) with allergic contact dermatitis were divided into three groups of ten patients each for patch testing by Finn chamber® method using Indian standard patch test kits having expiry in 2016, 2015 and 2014. The results were compared with those from a new kit with 2018 expiry. Results: Ten patients in group-1, eight patients in group-2 and seven patients in group-3 developed positive reactions of identical intensities and mostly from identical allergens from all four kits. The major contact allergens eliciting positive reactions of identical intensities were parthenium in nine, five and three patients, colophony in four, one and zero patients, fragrance mix in three, three and one patients, thiuram mix in three, one and one patients, and paraphenylene diamine in two, one and three patients from group-1,-2, and -3, respectively. Limitations: Small number of patients in each group remains the major limitation of the study. Whether or not these results can be extrapolated with patch test results from other similar patch test kits available across countries also needs confirmation. Conclusion: The patch test allergens can be used beyond labeled expiry dates but needs confirmation by a few large studies and using other available patch test kits. This is important as the relevance of patch test results for individual allergen in this scenario may remain debatable requiring careful interpretation

Biosynthesis of Graphene and Investigation of Antibacterial Activity of Graphene-parthenium hysterophorous Nanocomposite

Abstract There is a great interest to use carbon-based material like graphene and graphene oxide in biomedical applications due to its flexibility to be functionalized with bio-active molecules. Herein, graphene and graphene-based nanocomposites were biosynthesized by liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite using aqueous extract of Parthenium hysterophorous (P-H) as a surfactant. A set of five thin film samples of graphene was prepared from graphene suspension by vacuum filtration method. Samples were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, and XRD, which revealed successful synthesis of graphene. Graphene/P-H(G/P-H) nanocomposites comprising varied ratios of graphene and P-H were prepared and their antibacterial activity was investigated by agar well diffusion method. The experimental results indicated that G/P-H nanocomposite have higher antibacterial activity than graphene alone, and bioactivity of G/P-H nanocomposite was found to be controlled by the fraction of graphene in the composite.

A Case Of Parthenium Dermatits In A Middle Aged Female

Parthenium dermatitis is an immuno-inflammatory disease caused by Partheniumhysterophorus and is the most common cause of plant dermatitis in India. Contact sensitivity to parthenium is everlasting, and hence the disease runs a chronic course with exacerbation during summers. Patch testing with acetone or aqueous plant extract is the simplest way of confirming parthenium contact allergy. We report a case of 40yr old female who presented with generalised erythematous and lichenified plaques and was managed effectively with topical corticosteroid and avoidance of allergens

Comparison of anti-inflammatory efficacy of lercanidipine and Tanacetum parthenium with indomethacin in rats

Background: Inflammation can be classified as either acute or chronic. NSAIDs are the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide, and mostly have adverse effects. Lercanidipine a CCB of (DHPs) blocks the mediators of inflammation and has additional anti-inflammatory potential. Tanacetum parthenium (Feverfew) extracts have also shown its anti-inflammatory effects in experimental studies. It was decided to study anti-inflammatory effects of Lercanidipine and Tanacetum parthenium which was compared with Indomethacin. The present study was aimed to evaluate and compare the anti-inflammatory effect of lercanidipine and Tanacetum parthenium with Indomethacin in rats.Methods: The study was conducted in the department of Pharmacology UPUMS, Saifai after getting approval from IAEC.A total of 24 animals divided into 4 groups of six (n=6) animals each group were used, and the anti-inflammatory effects of both drugs were evaluated by Carrageenan-induced Paw Edema Model by digital Plethysmometer in rats, drug administration was with the same frequency.Results: The result of the present study had shown that lercanidipine produced anti-inflammatory effect compared to Indomethacin, while its efficacy in reducing paw edema was better at 1st hour, 48 and 72 hours while at 2nd hour and 3rd hour Indomethacin had better efficacy. Tanacetum parthenium also decreased paw edema at 2nd, 3rd, 48 and 72 hour while at 1st hour no effect was seen. However, at 72 hours, shown good efficacy compared to lercanidipine and Indomethacin.Conclusions: Lercanidipine could be a promising anti-inflammatory drug in reducing the inflammation and edema. However, herbal drug (Tanacetum parthenium) has shown anti- inflammatory efficacy when compared with Indomethacin. Both drugs were found safe during our study.

Concentraciones de alcaloides, glucósidos cianogénicos, polifenoles y saponinas en plantas medicinales seleccionadas en Ecuador y su relación con la toxicidad aguda contra Artemia salina / Concentrations of alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, polyphenols and saponins in selected medicinal plants from Ecuador and their relationship with acute toxicity against Artemia salina

ResumenEntre los principales compuestos químicos sintetizados por las plantas, pero considerados no esenciales para su metabolismo básico, están los alcaloides, los polifenoles, los glucósidos cianogénicos y las saponinas que tienen diversas funciones en las plantas y reconocidas propiedades medicinales y farmacológicas. En esta investigación se determinaron las concentraciones de los mencionados metabolitos secundarios en los extractos de las hojas de las plantas medicinales Taraxacum officinale, Parthenium hysterophorus, Artemisia absinthium, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius y Piper carpunya y se relacionaron con la toxicidad aguda contra Artemia salina. En cada bioensayo con A. salina se usaron los extractos alcohólicos de las hojas de las plantas seleccionadas a diferentes concentraciones, calculándose la proporción de organismos muertos y los CL50. Las concentraciones de alcaloides, fenoles totales, taninos, glucósidos cianogénicos y saponinas fueron determinadas mediante métodos espectrofotométricos. Este es el primer reporte de cuantificación de metabolitos secundarios en las plantas analizadas provenientes de Ecuador. T. officinale presentó las mayores concentraciones de fenoles (22.30 ± 0.23 mg/g) y taninos (11.70 ± 0.10 mg/g), C aconitifolius de glucósidos cianogénicos (5.02 ± 0.37 µg/g) y P. hysterophorus de saponinas (6.12 ± 0.02 mg/g). Las plantas evaluadas presentaron actividades hemolíticas dependiendo de las concentraciones de saponinas. Los valores de taninos determinados estuvieron entre 0.20 ± 0.01 y 11.70 ± 0.10 mg/g, por lo que no son adversos para su consumo. Aunque los valores de glucósidos cianogénicos son permisibles, es necesario monitorear la presencia de estos compuestos químicos en las plantas para minimizar problemas de salud. Los CL50 obtenidos oscilaron entre los valores 3.37 µg/mL, extremadamente letal o tóxica, para P. carpunya y 274.34 µg/mL, altamente tóxica, para T. officinale. De los análisis de correlaciones realizados a los resultados, se observó que los alcaloides favorecen de manera significativa (p<0.001) a la toxicidad aguda contra A. salina, mientras que a mayor contenido de polifenoles dicha toxicidad disminuye significativamente (p<0.001) el nivel de toxicidad de las plantas. Del análisis de componentes principales, se demuestra que las saponinas están en sinergia con los polifenoles para disminuir la toxicidad, pero tienen un efecto antagónico con los alcaloides y los glucósidos cianogénicos, lo cual evidencia que estos metabolitos secundarios presentan variabilidades en los mecanismos de acción contra A. salina, como compuestos citotóxicos. Estos resultados demuestran que las saponinas y los polifenoles pueden ser letales para A. salina a bajas concentraciones, evidenciando que este bioensayo permite evaluar extractos vegetales que contengan bajas concentraciones de compuestos con altas polaridades. La correspondencia significativamente positiva entre citoxicidad y concentración de los alcaloides, confirmada con el bioensayo de Artemia salina, puede ser útil para hallar fuentes promisorias de compuestos antitumorales y para evaluar los límites tolerables que no afecten otras células benignas. El contenido de metabolitos secundarios hallados en las plantas analizadas les atribuye un gran valor farmacológico.

Abstract:Alkaloids, polyphenols, cyanogenic glycosides and saponins are among the main chemical compounds synthesized by plants but not considered essential for their basic metabolism. These compounds have different functions in plants, and have been recognized with medicinal and pharmacological properties. In this research, concentrations of the mentioned secondary metabolites were determined in the medicinal plants Artemisia absinthium, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, Parthenium hysterophorus, Piper carpunya and Taraxacum officinale, from Ecuador, and related with cytotoxic effects against Artemia salina. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts from leaves of these selected plants were prepared at different concentrations. To assess cytotoxicity of these extracts, different bioassays with A. salina were undertaken, and the mortality rates and LC50 were obtained. Besides, concentrations of alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, phenols, tannins and saponins were determined by spectrophotometric methods; this constituted the first report of quantification of secondary metabolites in the selected plants from Ecuador. T. officinale had the highest concentration of total phenols (22.30 ± 0.23 mg/g) and tannins (11.70 ± 0.10 mg/g), C. aconitifolius of cyanogenic glycosides (5.02 ± 0.37 µg/g) and P. hysterophorus of saponins (6.12 ± 0.02 mg/g). Tannins values obtained were not adverse to their consumption. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts of selected plants had hemolytic activity depending on the concentration of saponins. Although the values of cyanogenic glycosides were permissible, it was necessary to monitor the presence of this metabolite in plants to minimize health problems. LC50 values ranged from extremely toxic (3.37 µg/mL) to highly toxic (274.34 μg/mL), in P. carpunya and T. officinale, respectively. From correlation analysis, it was observed that increase values of alkaloids concentrations had highly significant (p<0.001) acute toxicity against A. salina, while at a higher polyphenol concentration the level of plants cytotoxicity decreased significantly (p<0.001). The results of principal component analysis showed that saponins apparently were in synergy with polyphenols to decrease cytotoxicity, but antagonize with alkaloids and cyanogenic glycosides, indicating that these secondary metabolites present variability in the mechanisms of action against A. salina, as cytotoxic compounds. These results also demonstrate that polyphenols and saponins can be lethal at low concentrations, demonstrating the potential of brine shrimp bioassay as a model to evaluate plant extracts containing low concentrations of chemical compounds with high polarities. The significant positive correlation between cytotoxicity and concentration of alkaloids confirmed by the bioassay of brine shrimp can be useful to identify promising sources of antitumor compounds, and to evaluate tolerable limits not affecting other benign cells. Contents of secondary metabolites found in the selected plants confer them great pharmacologic values. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (3): 1171-1184. Epub 2016 September 01.

Study of Antipyretic Activity of Parthenium Hysterophorus in Rats

Introduction: Parthenium hysterophorus is an aggressive ubiquitous annual herbaceous weed with no economic importance unravelled till now. The decoction of P. Hysterophorus has been used in traditional medicine to treat fever, diarrhoea, neurologic disorders, urinary tract infections, dysentery, malaria and as emmenagogue. Objective: The study was conducted to screen the antipyretic activity of hydro-alcoholic extracts of Parthenium Hysterophorus. Materials and Methods: Thirty healthy rats weighing between 200-250gms were divided into five groups of six animals each, with 50% sex ratio. The initial rectal temperature of each animal was recorded by digital thermometer. The pyrexia was induced by injecting 20ml/kg (s.c.) of 20 per cent aqueous suspension of Brewer’s yeast in normal saline below the nape of the neck and rectal temperature was recorded by clinical thermometer immediately before (18 h) and 18 h after (0 h) Brewer’s yeast injection .The difference in temperature between 0 hour and respective time interval was found out by statistical method. The potency of extract to bring down the temperature was compared with that of the control group. Results: PH extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg produced significant antipyretic activity at 1 h after drug administration, whereas PH extract (800 mg/kg) and aspirin(300 mg/kg) showed significant antipyretic activity throughout the observation period up to 6 h. The extract showed marked antipyretic activity in a dose dependent manner. Conclusion: Parthenium hysterophorus has marked antipyretic activity.

Performance of a commercially available plant allergen series in the assessment of suspected occupational contact dermatitis to plants in north Indian patients.

Background: Parthenium hysterophorus is the leading cause of phytogenic allergic contact dermatitis in India. The Indian Standard Series currently supplied by Systopic Laboratories Ltd and manufactured by Chemotechnique Diagnostics® contains parthenolide as the only allergen representing plant allergens. Aim: The study was conducted to assess the performance of the Chemotechnique plant series (PL-1000), consisting of 14 allergens, in patients with clinically suspected occupational contact dermatitis to plant allergens. Methods: Ninety patients were patch tested with the Chemotechnique plant series from 2011 to 2013. Demographic details, clinical diagnosis and patch test results were recorded in the contact dermatitis clinic proforma. Results: Of 90 patients, 24 (26.7%) showed positive reactions to one or more allergens in the plant series. Positive patch tests were elicited most commonly by sesquiterpene lactone mix in 19 (78.6%) patients, followed by parthenolide in 14 (57.1%), Achillea millefolium in 10 (42.9%) and others in decreasing order. Conclusion: The plant allergen series prepared by Chemotechnique Diagnostics® is possibly not optimal for diagnosing suspected allergic contact dermatitis to plants in north Indians. Sesquiterpene lactone mix should replace parthenolide as the plant allergen in the Indian Standard Series until relevant native plant extracts are commercially available for patch testing.

Weekly azathioprine pulse versus daily azathioprinein the treatment of Parthenium dermatitis: A non-inferiority randomized controlled study.

Background: Azathioprine in daily doses has been shown to be effective and safe in the treatment of Parthenium dermatitis. Weekly pulses of azathioprine (WAP) are also effective, but there are no reports comparing the effectiveness and safety of these two regimens in this condition. Aims: To study the effi cacy and safety of WAP and daily azathioprine in Parthenium dermatitis. Methods: Sixty patients with Parthenium dermatitis were randomly assigned to treatment with azathioprine 300 mg weekly pulse or azathioprine 100 mg daily for 6 months. Patients were evaluated every month to assess the response to treatment and side effects. Results: The study included 32 patients in the weekly azathioprine group and 28 in the daily azathioprine group, of whom 25 and 22 patients respectively completed the study. Twenty-three (92%) patients on WAP and 21 (96%) on daily azathioprine had a good or excellent response. The mean pretreatment clinical severity score decreased from 26.4 ± 14.5 to 4.7 ± 5.1 in the WAP group, and from 36.1 ± 18.1 to 5.7 ± 6.0 in the daily azathioprine group, which was statistically signifi cant and comparable (P = 0.366). Patients on WAP had a higher incidence of adverse effects (P = 0.02). Limitations: The study had a small sample size and the amount of clobetasol propionate used in each patient was not determined, though it may not have affected the study outcome due to its comparable use in both groups. Conclusions: Azathioprine 300 mg weekly pulse and 100 mg daily dose are equally effective and safe in the treatment of Parthenium dermatitis.

Actividad antioxidante y antiinflamatoria del extracto hidroalcohólico de las flores de Tanacetum parthenium L. Sch. Bip. "Santa María". Ayacucho, 2014 / Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of the flowers of Tanacetum parthenium L. Sch. Beep. "Santa Maria". Ayacucho, 2014

Los procesos inflamatorios no controlados producen daño celular donde los radicales libres están presentes y representan un peligro para la vida del paciente, en este contexto la búsqueda de moléculas de origen vegetal son incesantes por su aceptación cultural, una mejor compatibilidad con el cuerpo humano y menos efectos secundarios. El objetivo fue determinar la actividad antioxidante y antiinflamatoria del extracto hidroalcohólico de las flores de Tanacetum parthenium L. Sch. Bip. "santa maria", empleando la técnica in vitro del DPPH y el modelo in vivo de edema plantar inducida por carragenina en ratas Wistar. Se llevó a cabo en los laboratorios de la Escuela de Farmacia y Bioquímica de la Universidad Nacional de San Cristóbal de Huamanga, Ayacucho, Perú. La muestra fue recolectada en la ciudad de Huancayo, región Junin. Se ensayó concentraciones de 1, 2 y 3% en ungüentos base como vehículo semisólido usando el estándar de referencia diclofenaco gel 1%. El extracto hidroalcohólico contiene fenoles y taninos, flavonoides, faetonas y/o cumarinas, triterpenos y/o esteroides y aminoácidos. La concentración de extracto hidroalcohólico de las flores de Tanacetum parthenium L. Sch. Bip. "santa maria" con mayor actividad antiinflamatoria fue al 3%, con un porcentaje de desinflamación del84.6% {porcentaje de inflamación de 15.4%) y con un ABC de 6,214 mllt2. La concentración de extracto hidroalcohólico de las flores de Tanacetum parthenium L. Sch. Bip. "santa maria" con mayor actividad antioxidante fue a 100 ¡Jg/ml, con un porcentaje de 63,9%. Se concluye que el extracto hidroalcohólico de las flores de Tanacetum parthenium L. Sch. Bip. "santa maría" tiene poca actividad antioxidante in vitro pero buena actividad antiinflamatoria in vivo estadísticamente similar al diclofenaco por lo que constituyen una fuente potencial para el tratamiento antiinflamatorio tópico.

Parthenium dermatitis in India: Past, present and future.

Parthenium dermatitis is an immuno-inflammatory disease caused by Parthenium hysterophorus and is the commonest cause of plant dermatitis in India. It is caused by airborne dry and friable plant particles including trichomes, and the most important allergens responsible for allergic contact dermatitis are sesquiterpene lactones. The combined type IV and type I hypersensitivity to parthenium has been recently postulated. In sensitized individuals, it can cause a spectrum of clinical patterns, such as classical airborne pattern, chronic actinic dermatitis-like presentation, mixed pattern dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis, widespread dermatitis, and other rare patterns. There is definite trend towards change from airborne pattern to chronic actinic pattern in natural history of parthenium dermatitis. Contact sensitivity to parthenium is everlasting, and hence the disease runs a chronic course with exacerbation during summers. Patch testing with acetone or aqueous plant extract is the simplest way of confirming parthenium contact allergy. Management includes avoiding contact with allergen, managing dermatitis with topical corticosteroids/tacrolimus, and other immunosupressives like azathioprine. In future, we expect parthenium dermatitis to become less prevalent due to rapid urbanization and possible development of new biological methods to eradicate the parthenium. Genetic factors associated with susceptibility to parthenium dermatitis need to be studied.

Production and extraction of phytotoxins from Colletotrichum dematium FGCC# 20 effective against Parthenium hysterophorus L

The aim of this work was to study the herbicidal potential of Cell free culture filtrate of Colletotrichum dematium FGCC#20 against Parthenium by employing different bioassays i.e. shoot-cut, seedling, detached leaf and seed germination. On solvent extraction of the Cell free culture filtrate, Ethyl acetate extracted fraction showed the presence of phytotoxic moiety.

Especificidad de la cromatografía líquida de alta eficacia para evaluar estabilidad química basada en partenina del follaje seco pulverizado de Parthenium hysterophorus L (escoba amarga) / Specificity of HPLC to assess the chemical stability based on partenine from Parthenium hysterophorus L powdered dry foliage (escoba amarga)

INTRODUCCIÓN: se requiere una técnica de análisis específica que permita dar seguimiento al estudio de la estabilidad intrínseca del follaje seco pulverizado de Parthenium hysterophorus L. (escoba amarga), para la obtención de una forma farmacéutica de utilidad antiparasitaria con los requisitos de calidad, seguridad y eficacia exigidos. OBJETIVO: demostrar la especificidad de la técnica analítica de cromatografía líquida de alta eficacia para la cuantificación de partenina en el polvo de P. hysterophorus para su aplicación en estudios de estabilidad. MÉTODOS: se aplicó cromatografía líquida de alta eficacia a muestras degradadas de P. hysterophorus, bajo condiciones degradativas en medio ácido, básico y oxidativo. Se evaluó la especificidad de la técnica de análisis para detectar el componente de interés sin interferencias de sus productos de degradación y su posible utilidad en estudios de estabilidad del polvo de la planta. RESULTADOS: la cromatografía líquida de alta eficacia para cuantificar partenina en el polvo de P. hysterophorus resultó específica en las condiciones de trabajo establecidas y puede emplearse en estudios de estabilidad del sólido en el polvo de la planta. CONCLUSIONES: la técnica de cromatografía líquida de alta eficacia propuesta es específica y se recomienda su utilización en los estudios de estabilidad del sólido en polvo de la planta.

INTRODUCTION: it is required a specific analysis technique allowing the follow-up to stability study intrinsic of Parthenium hysterophorus L. (escoba amarga) powdered dry foliage to achieve in a pharmaceutical way a antiparasitic usefulness with the quality, safety and effectiveness demanded requirements. OBJECTIVE: to demonstrate the specificity of analytical technique of high-performance liquid chromatography for quantization of partenine in the powder of P. hysterophorus for its application in stability studies. METHODS: high performance liquid chromatography was applied to P. hysterophorus degraded samples under degradation conditions in an oxidative, basic and acid medium.The analysis technique specificity was assessed to detect the interest component without interferences of its degradation products and its possible usefulness in studies on solid stability in the plant powder. RESULTS: high-performance liquid chromatography to quantify the presence of partenine in the P. hysterophorus powder was specific in established work conditions and may be used in solid stability studies of plant powder. CONCLUSIONS: the high-performance proposed is specific and it is recommended in solid stability studies of solids in plant powder.

Development of enteric coated tablets from spray dried extract of feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L) / Desenvolvimento de comprimidos de revestimento entérico de extrato de produto seco por aspersão de matricária (Tanacetum parthenium L)

Tanacetum parthenium (feverfew) is an herb that is commercialized worldwide as a therapeutic treatment for migraine. Its pharmacological effect is mainly due to the presence of the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide as well as of flavonoids. So far, there are no studies on standardization of pre-formulations or phytomedicines containing this herb. The present study aimed at developing a pre-formulation using a standardized spray-dried extract of feverfew and further designing and standardizing enteric coated tablets. In this work, the spray-dried extract of feverfew was evaluated for its parthenolide, santin and total flavonoid content, parthenolide solubility, particle size, tapped density, hygroscopicity, angle of repose and moisture content. Tablets containing the spray-dried extract were tested for their average weight, friability, hardness, and disintegration time. The total flavonoid and parthenolide contents in the spray-dried extract were 1.31 percent and 0.76 percent w/w, respectively. The spray-dried extract presented consistent pharmacotechnical properties and allowed its tableting by direct compression. Tablet properties were in accordance with the proposed specifications. The procedures described herein can be used to prepare and evaluate pre-formulations of feverfew with adequate properties for the development of a high-quality phytomedicine.

Tanacetum parthenium (tanaceto) é uma planta medicinal comercializada no mundo todo para tratamento de enxaqueca. Seu efeito farmacológico é creditado principalmente à lactona sesquiterpênica partenolídeo e flavonóides. Até o momento não existem estudos sobre a padronização de pré-formulações ou o desenvolvimento de fitoterápicos com tanaceto. Logo, o objetivo deste trabalho foi obter comprimidos de revestimento entérico a partir de extrato seco e padronizado de tanaceto. Neste trabalho, o extrato seco do tanaceto obtido pelo método de spray drying foi avaliado quanto ao teor de partenolídeo, presença da santina, teor de flavonóides totais, solubilidade do partenolídeo, tamanho de partícula, ângulo de repouso, densidade, análise higroscópica e teor de umidade. A partir do extrato seco obtiveram-se comprimidos que foram revestidos em leito de jorro. Os comprimidos revestidos foram avaliados com relação ao peso médio, friabilidade, dureza e desintegração. O teor de flavonóides totais e de partenolídeo no extrato seco foram 1,31 por cento e 0,76 por cento (p/p), respectivamente. O extrato seco apresentou características farmacotécnicas satisfatórias permitindo a obtenção de comprimidos pelo método de compressão direta. As propriedades dos comprimidos revestidos estão de acordo com as especificações da literatura. Os procedimentos utilizados nesse trabalho podem ser utilizados para obter extrato seco e fitoterápicos de T. parthenium com alto padrão de qualidade.

Estabilidad del polvo de Parthenium hysterophorus L (escoba amarga) basado en el contenido de partenina mediante cromatografía líquida de alta eficacia / Parthenium hysterophorus L. (escoba amarga) powder stability on the basis of parthenin contents by using high-performance liquid chromatography

INTRODUCCIÓN: Parthenium hysterophorus L. (escoba amarga) es una planta de reconocida acción antiparasitaria, carece de investigaciones analíticas y tecnológicas que permitan dar seguimiento a la estabilidad intrínseca del sólido en polvo de la planta, para la futura obtención de una forma farmacéutica de utilidad antiparasitaria científicamente fundamentada. OBJETIVO: establecer la estabilidad integral del polvo obtenido de follaje de P. hysterophorus en condiciones reales de almacenamiento basado en partenina. MÉTODOS: se desarrolló un estudio de la estabilidad intrínseca del sólido en polvo de P. hysterophorus frente a factores externos (humedad, temperatura y luz). RESULTADOS: la cromatografía líquida de alta eficacia (CLAE) para la cuantificación de partenina en el sólido en polvo del P. hysterophorus es específica y puede emplearse en los estudios de estabilidad. Se demostró que la humedad y la luz son factores que influyen negativamente en la estabilidad química de la partenina. CONCLUSIONES: la estabilidad química del sólido en polvo, conservado en frascos de vidrio ámbar cubiertos con papel de aluminio y tapón de goma, evaluada según las normativas ICH (2005), es insuficiente para su comercialización como materia prima para la elaboración de formas de dosificación.

INTRODUCTION: Parthenium hysterophorus (escoba amarga) is a well-known antiparasitic plant, but the lack of analytical and technological research studies does not allow following-up the intrinsic stability of the plant solid powder for obtaining a scientifically-proved pharmaceutical form with antiparasitic action. OBJECTIVE: to ascertain the integral stability of the powder from P. hysterophorus foliage under actual storage conditions, taking the parthenin content as a basis. METHODS: the intrinsic P. hysterophorus solid powder stability was determined against external factors such as humidity, temperature and light. RESULTS: the high-performance liquid chromatography is a specific technique to quantify the parthenin contents in P. hysterophorus powder and may be used in the stability studies. It was proved that humidity and light had a negative impact on the chemical stability of the parthenin. CONCLUSIONS: the chemical stability of the solid powder, preserved in amber glass flasks covered with aluminium paper and rubber cap and evaluated according to ICH standards (2005), is not adequate for this substance to be marketed as raw material for dosage form preparations.

Bio-control potential of Cladosporium sp. (MCPL - 461), against a noxious weed Parthenium hysterophorus L.

The phenological survey of Parthenium hysterophorus L., in and around the campus of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) was done for about two years (2004-06). During Nov. 2004, a few Parthenium plants were found diseased, and symptoms were restricted to the flowers, buds, and inflorescences. The disease causes sterility and reduces seed viability, which was observed with seed germination test from infected and healthy plants. The fungal pathogen was isolated and identified as Cladosporium sp. (MCPL-461). The severity of pathogen to the reproductive organs led to serious damages of the Parthenium plants. Thus in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to determine the bio-control potential of Cladosporium sp. (MCPL 461) against Parthenium weed. A combinatorial effort of Cladosporium sp. (MCPL 461) bio-control potential was evaluated with different culture media, incubation periods and spores strength. Spore suspension of 105 to 1012 spores ml-1 were used to spray on healthy Parthenium plants, and it was found that severe infection symptoms were appeared at 1010 to 1012 spores ml-1 suspension. LD50 was found at 107spores ml-1. To enhance the myco-herbicide activity 3% sucrose was added to the spore suspension, which further resolute the bio-control efficacy of the isolates. Only 20-30 % seeds of infected plants could germinate. However the safety of non-targeted and wild plants was also tested with Lantana camera, Chromolaena odorata and found that suspension up to 1012 spores ml-1 were not sufficient for disease outbreak in them.

A proposal for the quality control of Tanacetum parthenium (feverfew) and its hydroalcoholic extract / Uma proposta para o controle de qualidade de Tanacetum parthenium (tanaceto) e seu extrato hidroalcoólico

Neste trabalho, é apresentada uma proposta para o controle de qualidade físico e químico do pó de T. parthenium (tanaceto) e do seu extrato hidroalcoólico obtido por percolação. A lactona sesquiterpênica partenolídeo, o principal componente ativo da espécie, foi quantificada por CLAE e seu teor foi de 0,49 por cento no pó e 1,06 por cento no extrato. O teor de flavonóides totais foi determinado por espectroscopia no UV e foi de 0,54 por cento no pó e 1,05 por cento no extrato hidroalcoólico. A santina, principal flavonóide da espécie, foi isolada e posteriormente identificada no extrato por CLAE. Uma vez que o partenolídeo também pode ser encontrado em outras espécies de Asteraceae, a análise da santina é importante para certificar a autenticidade do material vegetal. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho confirmam a autenticidade do material e a eficiência do processo extrativo.

In this study, we present a proposal for the physical and chemical quality control of the powder of the species T. parthenium (feverfew) and its hydroalcoholic extract obtained by percolation. The sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide, the main active compound of this plant, was quantified by HPLC and its content was found to be 0.49 percent in the powder and 1.06 percent in the extract. The total content of flavonoids, determined by UV spectroscopy, was found to be 0.54 percent in the powder and 1.05 percent in the hydroalcoholic extract. Santin, the main flavonoid of this species, was isolated and further identified in the extract by HPLC. Since parthenolide can also be found in other Asteraceae species, the analysis of santin is important to certify the authenticity of the plant material. The results confirmed the authenticity of the plant material and the efficiency of the extraction procedure.

Effect of neem seed oil aqueous solutions on survival and development of the predator Cycloneda sanguinea (L. ) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) / Efeito de soluções aquosas de óleo de sementes de nim, Azadirachta indica, na sobrevivência e desenvolvimento do predador Cycloneda sanguinea (L. ) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

The effects of the neem seed oil aqueous solutions on survival and performance of egg, larva and adult stage of the Coccinelid predator Cycloneda sanguinea (L.) were evaluated under laboratory conditions. In a first trial, eggs and 2nd-instar larvae were sprayed with the neem solutions at 0; 0.5 and 2.25 ml/l and kept at 25 ± 1°C, 70 percent RH and 14h photoperiod. Egg viability and duration and larvae and pupae survival were evaluated as well as the predatory capacity of the larvae, adult longevity and reproduction. Egg spraying did not affect egg hatch or larvae survival and development. When the larvae were sprayed, significant mortality was observed only at the higher concentration (P < 0.05) and larval development and predatory capacity were not affected. Also, adults originated from treated larvae showed no alterations on sex rate, fecundity, fertility and longevity, thus indicating that at the tested concentrations the neem oil do not reduce the reproductive potential of the species. In a second experiment, adults collected in the field were sprayed with neem oil or kept on Parthenium sp. twigs sprayed with the neem oil aqueous solution at 5 ml/l, to evaluate survival. The neem oil at this concentration caused no mortality to the adults, since all of them, sprayed or kept on sprayed twigs, presented a longevity curve similar to untreated ones. The results indicate that the neem oil presents potential to be used in association with biological control of pests, when C. sanguinea is present.

Os efeitos de soluções aquosas do óleo de sementes de nim sobre o predador Cycloneda sanguinea (L.), nos estágios de ovo, larva e adulto, foram avaliados em laboratório. Em um primeiro experimento, ovos e larvas de 2° ínstar foram pulverizados com as soluções de nim nas concentrações de 0; 0, 5 e 2,25 ml/l de água apresentaram mortalidade significativa (P < 0,05) somente na maior concentração e o desenvolvimento larval e a capacidade predatória não foram afetados. Os adultos originados de larvas tratadas não apresentaram alterações da razão sexual, fecundidade, fertilidade e longevidade, indicando que nas concentrações testadas o óleo de nim não reduz o potencial reprodutivo da espécie. Em um segundo experimento, adultos da joaninha coletados no campo foram pulverizados com a solução aquosa de óleo de nim ou mantidos sobre ramos de losna-branca pulverizados na concentração de 5 ml/l de água, para avaliação da sobrevivência. A pulverização do óleo de nim nesta concentração não causou mortalidade nos adultos de C. sanguinea, uma vez que os insetos de ambos tratamentos apresentaram curva de longevidade semelhante à da testemunha. Os resultados demonstram que o nim apresenta potencial para ser utilizado em associação com o controle biológico de pragas, quando C. sanguinea for empregada.