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In this study, relative toxicity of Spilanthes acmella and Calotropis procera wasevaluated against adults and larvae of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. The aerial part ofboth plants materials were collected from Eastern Himalayan Region (West Bengal) of India.Plant materials were washed, shade dried, coarsely ground, methanol extracted and dried byrotary evaporator and collected proper yield of extracts. The crude methanolic extracts werefurther fractionated using solvents (hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform) of different polarity andfinally aqueous fraction was collected and dried. Methanolic crude extracts and their fractions(hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform and aqueous) concentrations of both the plants weretested against the engorged adult females and cultured larvae of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus)microplus. The bioefficacy observations are shown in table 3 and mentioned LC50, LC90 andtheir related statistics. Adult and larval stages were significantly affected by the chloroformextract of both the plants selected and observed the most potent with LC50 50.22 and 13.86mg/ml of Calotropis procera and LC50 60.94 and 25.82 mg/ml of Spilanthes acmella.
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Abstract Species of the Carapa spp. complex, occurring in the Neotropics, Africa and India, have multiple uses, including timber, with the seed oil being used in phyto-pharmaceutical products and cosmetics. This study aimed to determine the thermal ranges of the germination process, comparing germination criteria used by seed physiologists and seed technologists, and to suggest recommendations for seed quality assessment. Germination was assessed at constant temperatures between 10 ─ 40 °C using three germination criteria: (1) radicle length ≥ 0.5 cm (physiological criterion); (2) epicotyl length ≥ 1 cm; and (3) epicotyl length ≥ 5 cm (criterion for seed quality tests). The base temperature was similar for the three criteria and ranged between 10 ─ 2 °C. The Maguire's Speed Index indicated 30 °C as most adequate. However, the upper temperature limit differed: for radicle protrusion it was above 40 ºC; and for both epicotyl lengths, it was between 35 ─ 40 °C. Seed coat removal accelerated the germination process of these recalcitrant seeds, and is recommended for seed quality assessment, which allows completion of the germination trial in approximately one month.
Resumo As espécies do complexo Carapa spp. ocorrem na região Neotropical, na África e na Índia, têm usos múltiplos, fornece madeira de valor comercial e o óleo extraído das sementes tem uso fitoterápico e cosmético. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a faixa térmica tolerável do processo germinativo, comparando os critérios de germinação utilizados pelos fisiologistas e os tecnólogos de sementes, e sugerir recomendações para a avaliação da qualidade das sementes. A germinação foi avaliada em temperaturas constantes entre 10 e 40 °C utilizando três critérios de germinação: (1) formação da radícula ≥ 0,5 cm (critério fisiológico); (2) alongamento de epicótilo ≥ 1 cm; e (3) alongamento de epicótilo ≥ 5 cm (critério para testes de qualidade de sementes). A temperatura de base foi semelhante para os três critérios entre 10 e 12 °C. O índice de velocidade de Maguire indicou 30 °C como a temperatura mais adequada. O limite superior de temperatura diferiu entre os critérios, sendo acima de 40 ºC para protrusão da radícula e para ambos os alongamentos de epicótilo entre 35 e 40 °C. A remoção do tegumento de semente acelerou o processo de germinação dessas sementes recalcitrantes sendo recomendada para a avaliação da qualidade da semente, o que permite concluir o teste de germinação em aproximadamente um mês.
Subject(s)
Germination/radiation effects , Germination/physiology , Meliaceae/growth & development , Meliaceae/radiation effects , Meliaceae/physiology , Agriculture , Seeds/physiology , Hot TemperatureABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the toxicological and psychotropic properties of Calotropis (C.) procera. Methods: C. procera leaves and root-bark aqueous extracts were evaluated for their toxic and behavioral effects using adult mice. Toxicity studies were carried out using Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines 423 and 407 for acute and subacute evaluation. Behavioral studies were performed using traction test, fireplace test, hole-board test and forced-swimming test to evaluate the sedative, anxiety and depressive-like activities of the extracts. Results: Very low acute toxicity was observed in mice that received both leaves and root-bark extracts. The subacute test showed some morphological, biochemical and hematological changes in the treated groups. Behavioral assessment demonstrated anxiety effects on mice for C. procera leaf extract (400 mg/kg of body weight). Conclusions: The acute use of C. procera (leaves and root-barks) aqueous extracts could be considered as low toxic. However, their repeated uses could have harmful effect on some organs. Likewise, a single dose up to 400 mg/kg body weight of these extracts produce no sedative or depressive-like effect, but they possess possible dose dependent anxiety effect. Yet, more studies are necessary to relate these results to the chemical profile of the plant extracts.
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Objective: To evaluate the toxicological and psychotropic properties of Calotropis (C.) procera. Methods: C. procera leaves and root-bark aqueous extracts were evaluated for their toxic and behavioral effects using adult mice. Toxicity studies were carried out using Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines 423 and 407 for acute and subacute evaluation. Behavioral studies were performed using traction test, fireplace test, hole-board test and forced-swimming test to evaluate the sedative, anxiety and depressive-like activities of the extracts. Results: Very low acute toxicity was observed in mice that received both leaves and root-bark extracts. The subacute test showed some morphological, biochemical and hematological changes in the treated groups. Behavioral assessment demonstrated anxiety effects on mice for C. procera leaf extract (400 mg/kg of body weight). Conclusions: The acute use of C. procera (leaves and root-barks) aqueous extracts could be considered as low toxic. However, their repeated uses could have harmful effect on some organs. Likewise, a single dose up to 400 mg/kg body weight of these extracts produce no sedative or depressive-like effect, but they possess possible dose dependent anxiety effect. Yet, more studies are necessary to relate these results to the chemical profile of the plant extracts.
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Background: Free radicals generated as by-products of metabolism can cause damage to lipids, proteins and DNA. They are scavenged by endogenous antioxidant mechanisms. But when these mechanisms are overwhelmed, free radicals can cause toxicity. There is a need to identify new antioxidant compounds. Hence the current study was undertaken to assess the antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Calotropis procera roots in Wistar rats.Methods: Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 (control) were administered vehicle. Group 2 received DMBA (30mg/kg BW, single dose) intraperitoneally on day 5. Group 3 was pre-treated with Calotropis procera root extract (500mg/kg BW) orally for 5 days. On day 5, they were given DMBA injection 2 hrs after the extract. Group 4 rats received only root extract for 5 days. All rats were sacrificed on day 6 and samples were analysed for TBARS, conjugated dienes and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx) levels.Results: The levels of TBARS, conjugated dienes were significantly increased, and antioxidant enzymes were decreased in group 2 both in plasma and erythrocytes. Pretreatment with C. procera root extract (group 3) has normalized the TBARS and conjugated dienes levels in plasma but in erythrocytes, TBARS levels are elevated. GPx activity was significantly decreased in both plasma and erythrocytes and SOD activity was decreased in erythrocytes. CAT activity was comparable to control group. Group 4 rats showed TBARS, conjugated dienes and antioxidant enzymes levels comparable to control.Conclusions: The present study establishes that Calotropis procera root extract has antioxidant activity in wistar rats.
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The proximate composition and time killing kinetics of the leaf and stem extracts of Calotropis procera were carried out. The proximate composition showed moisture content of (10.45 and 9.78%), protein (16.20 and 8.15%), fat (1.99 and 0.96%), ash (14.32 and 6.39%), crude fibre (6.73 and 23.23%) and carbohydrate (49.49 and 51.49%) for leaf and the stem respectively. Twelve pathogenic bacteria and five fungi species were obtained from the Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo-State and typed cultures of the organisms were collected from National Institute of Medical Research (American type culture collection centre (ATCC), USA). The time-kill studies are important because comprehensive information about pharmacodynamics of a putative antibacterial agent may not be gained simply through endpoints such as Minimum Inhibitory Concentration. This study is done to examine the time-frame required for the microbes to be killed. It was determined on each isolates with the extracts taken at their Minimum Inhibition Concentration values. The study was evaluated in hours of 0 hr, 6 hrs, 12 hrs, 24 hrs, 48 hrs, 72 hrs and 96 hrs, the methanol leaf extract kill most of the organisms within 24 hrs while aqueous leaf extract was unable to kill most of the organisms under 48 hrs.
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Objective:To examine three plant extracts [Lumnitzera racemosa (Combretaceae)(L.racemosa),Albizia procera (Fabaceae) (A.procera) and Cananga odorata (Annonaceae)] tor their potential as source of photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy.Methods:Human mammary adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells were treated with the plant extracts,which were irradiated with 5.53 mW and 0.553 mW broadband light.Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay and induction of apoptosis was determined using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-dUTP nick end labeling assay.Results:The crude ethanolic extracts,independently,were nontoxic against cancer and non-cancer cells but when irradiated with 5.53 mW broadband light,L.racemosa and A.procera extracts were cytotoxic against MCF-7 with IC50 of 1 1.63 μg/mL and 10.73 μg/mL,respectively.With 0.553 mW broadband light,the IC50 values were higher at 17.14 μg/mL and 19.59 μg/mL,respectively.Photoactivated L.racemosa and A.procera extracts were found to be more cytotoxic against MCF-7 than the non-cancer cell line,human dermal fibroblast-neonatal.Moreover,the cytotoxicity of the cxtracts was mediated by apoptosis.Conclusions:Two of the plant extracts used,L.race mosa and A.procera were toxic and induced apoptosis to mammary cell adenocarcinoma,MCF-7 when photoactivated.These extracts were also more toxic to human cancer than non-cancer cell lines.
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Objective To examine three plant extracts [Lumnitzera racemosa (Combretaceae) (L. racemosa), Albizia procera (Fabaceae) (A. procera) and Cananga odorata (Annonaceae)] for their potential as source of photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy. Methods Human mammary adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells were treated with the plant extracts, which were irradiated with 5.53 mW and 0.553 mW broadband light. Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay and induction of apoptosis was determined using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-dUTP nick end labeling assay. Results The crude ethanolic extracts, independently, were nontoxic against cancer and non-cancer cells but when irradiated with 5.53 mW broadband light, L. racemosa and A. procera extracts were cytotoxic against MCF-7 with IC
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Abstract Species of the Carapa spp. complex, occurring in the Neotropics, Africa and India, have multiple uses, including timber, with the seed oil being used in phyto-pharmaceutical products and cosmetics. This study aimed to determine the thermal ranges of the germination process, comparing germination criteria used by seed physiologists and seed technologists, and to suggest recommendations for seed quality assessment. Germination was assessed at constant temperatures between 10 40 °C using three germination criteria: (1) radicle length 0.5 cm (physiological criterion); (2) epicotyl length 1 cm; and (3) epicotyl length 5 cm (criterion for seed quality tests). The base temperature was similar for the three criteria and ranged between 10 2 °C. The Maguires Speed Index indicated 30 °C as most adequate. However, the upper temperature limit differed: for radicle protrusion it was above 40 ºC; and for both epicotyl lengths, it was between 35 40 °C. Seed coat removal accelerated the germination process of these recalcitrant seeds, and is recommended for seed quality assessment, which allows completion of the germination trial in approximately one month.
Resumo As espécies do complexo Carapa spp. ocorrem na região Neotropical, na África e na Índia, têm usos múltiplos, fornece madeira de valor comercial e o óleo extraído das sementes tem uso fitoterápico e cosmético. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a faixa térmica tolerável do processo germinativo, comparando os critérios de germinação utilizados pelos fisiologistas e os tecnólogos de sementes, e sugerir recomendações para a avaliação da qualidade das sementes. A germinação foi avaliada em temperaturas constantes entre 10 e 40 °C utilizando três critérios de germinação: (1) formação da radícula 0,5 cm (critério fisiológico); (2) alongamento de epicótilo 1 cm; e (3) alongamento de epicótilo 5 cm (critério para testes de qualidade de sementes). A temperatura de base foi semelhante para os três critérios entre 10 e 12 °C. O índice de velocidade de Maguire indicou 30 °C como a temperatura mais adequada. O limite superior de temperatura diferiu entre os critérios, sendo acima de 40 ºC para protrusão da radícula e para ambos os alongamentos de epicótilo entre 35 e 40 °C. A remoção do tegumento de semente acelerou o processo de germinação dessas sementes recalcitrantes sendo recomendada para a avaliação da qualidade da semente, o que permite concluir o teste de germinação em aproximadamente um mês.
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Con el objetivo de aislar y caracterizar parcialmente las enzimas ribonucleasas (RNasas) contenidas en el látex de Calotropis procera y Pedilanthus tithymaloides, se colectaron muestras de plantas adultas. Las proteínas solubles fueron extraídas con acetato de sodio y centrifugación a 16.000 x g durante 15 min y fraccionadas por cromatografía de intercambio iónico. Se estimó la masa molecular a través de ecuaciones de regresión lineal. Se realizaron pruebas de glicosilación. En ambas especies, las proteínas con actividad RNasa presentaron una masa molecular entre 28 y 30 kDa. No existe evidencia de proteínas glicosiladas en el látex de C. procera. En P. tithymaloides la RNasa es una proteína glicosilada.
In order to isolate and characterize partially ribonucleases (RNases) enzymes contained in the latex from Calotropis procera and Pedilanthus tithymaloides, samples were collected from mature plants. Soluble proteins were extracted with sodium acetate and centrifugation at 16,000 xg for 15 min and fractionated by ion exchange chromatography. Molecular mass was estimated by linear regression equations. Glycosylation tests were conducted. In both species, proteins with RNase activity showed a molecular mass between 28 and 30 kDa. No evidence of glycosylated proteins in latex from C. procera. In P. tithymaloides, RNase may be a glycosylated protein.
Subject(s)
Calotropis/enzymology , Euphorbiaceae/enzymology , Latex/chemistry , Ribonucleases/isolation & purification , Ribonucleases/metabolism , Calotropis/chemistry , Euphorbiaceae/chemistry , GlycosylationABSTRACT
The use of gold nanoparticle in drug delivery has emerged as a promising avenue to reduced toxicity and frequency of dosage while maintaining therapeutic effects and biocompatibility. Therefore, the possibility of developing eco-friendly metallic gold nanoparticles is evaluated. To achieve this, aqueous leave extracts of Calotropis procera was used to synthesis gold nanoparticles and its cytotoxic effect was investigated. The gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) produced were characterized using Ultra Violet–Visible spectroscopy, Zeta-sizer nano, High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HRSEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDAX) spectroscopy and Fourier Transmission Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The cytotoxic ability of the synthesized gold nanoparticles was evaluated on MCF-7 cell using MTT assay. The result of Ultra Violet–Visible spectroscopy showed development of gold nanoparticle reaction at 550 nm of Surface Plasmon Resonance and average particle size of 45 nm was confirmed using nano Zeta-sizer. EDAX profile result suggested the presence of gold at 2.30ke while FTIR result confirms the presence of biomolecules serving as reducing and capping agents on the synthesized gold nanoparticle with a strong signal at 3426 cm of the hydroxyl group of alcohol or phenol. The cytotoxic effect of the synthesis gold nanoparticles shows cell viability decreased as the concentration of AuNPs increased from 0.156 mg to 5 mg with an IC50 of 0.312 mg/l. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the bioreductive capability of aqueous leaf extract of Calotropis procera to produced gold nanoparticle and its cytotoxicity effect on MCF-7cell line.
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The present study aimed to develop pharmacognostical and phytochemical descriptors (HPTLC) of Calotropis procera and Calotropis gigantea. β-sitosterol which is one of the common terpene content and a potent antioxidant, purgative, antispasmodic and expectorant, has also been studied through a simple and high-precision method using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). This may be utilized by pharmaceutical industries for quality evaluation, ensuring successful commercial exploitation of this drug. From the present study it has been observed that both Calotropis procera and C. gigantea have similar microscopic characteristics, physico-chemical parameters showed a little variation as total ash components and extractive values are little less in C. gigantea. HPTLC studies also showed similar qualitative profile with some quantitative variations in total β-sitosterol, which was higher in C. gigantea (2.79%).
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Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br (Asclepiadaceae) is a species widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as sickle cell disease, asthma and cancer. In Burkina Faso, it enter in the composition of FACA® in combination with Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Lam (Rutaceae), drug used in sickle cell disease treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity of aqueous extract of root barks of the plant on cell lines to increase the safe use of FACA®. MTT and Neutral Red assays performed on Caco-2 and Neuro-2a cell lines revealed that aqueous extract from root barks of Calotropis procera are cytotoxic on these cell lines. DNA fragmentation assay on Caco-2 cell showed DNA smearing reflecting a degradation of nuclear material that indicates a possible genotoxicity. Altogether, it comes out that the most sensitive cell line is the human colorectal carcinoma Caco-2 cells. Comparatively the active compounds of Calotropis procera do not affect the mice nervous system cells in the same dramatic extent. Our results strongly suggest that patients under treatment of FACA® must respect doses prescribed in order to avoid adverse side effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
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Objective: To ascertain analgesic, antibacterial and central nervous system (CNS) depressant activities of ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and carbon tetrachloride fractions of methanol extract of Albizia procera (A. procera) leaves. Methods: Leaves extracts of A. procera were tested for analgesic activity by acetic acid induced and formalin test method in mice. The in vitro antibacterial activity was performed by agar well diffusion method. CNS depressant activity was evaluated by hole cross and open field tests. Results: All the extracts at 200 mg/kg exhibited significant (P Conclusions: It is concluded that all the extracts possess potential analgesic and CNS depressants activity. This study also showed that different fractions of methanol extract could be potential sources of new antimicrobial agents.
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Objective: To synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by green methods using serum latex of Calotropis procera at 80 °C and evaluate them against bacteria, dermatophytes and phytopathogenic fungi comparing with the activity of untreated latex.Methods:The synthesis of AgNPs was performed by mixing 3% latex serum extract with the same volume of silver nitrate (2 mmol/L) solution in round flask and heating in water bath at 80 °C. Characterization of silver particles were determined using UV-vis spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activity of the green synthesized AgNPs was determined against bacteria, dermatophytes and phytopathogenic fungi and compared to the crude untreated latex by agar-well diffusion methods.Results:Biosynthesis of latex silver nanoparticles was successfully obtained by green method. The formation of AgNPs has been confirmed by UV-vis, TEM microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. TEM analysis showed that synthesized AgNPs are highly stable spherical shaped particles, well dispersed with a diameter ranged from 4 nm up to 25 nm and an average size of 12.33 nm. AgNPs showed strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia sp.) and antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum, Candida albicans and Aspergillus terreus.Conclusions:It can be concluded that serum latex of Calotropis procera was found to display strong potential for the synthesis of AgNPs as antimicrobial agents through rapid reduction of silver ions (Ag+ to Ag0). The green synthesized AgNPs were found to show higher antimicrobial efficacy than crude latex.
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Objective: To synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by green methods using serum latex of Calotropis procera at 80 °C and evaluate them against bacteria, dermatophytes and phytopathogenic fungi comparing with the activity of untreated latex. Methods: The synthesis of AgNPs was performed by mixing 3% latex serum extract with the same volume of silver nitrate (2 mmol/L) solution in round flask and heating in water bath at 80°C. Characterization of silver particles were determined using UV-vis spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activity of the green synthesized AgNPs was determined against bacteria, dermatophytes and phytopathogenic fungi and compared to the crude untreated latex by agar-well diffusion methods. Results: Biosynthesis of latex silver nanoparticles was successfully obtained by green method. The formation of AgNPs has been confirmed by UV-vis, TEM microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. TEM analysis showed that synthesized AgNPs are highly stable spherical shaped particles, well dispersed with a diameter ranged from 4 nm up to 25 nm and an average size of 12.33 nm. AgNPs showed strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia sp.) and antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum, Candida albicans and Aspergillus terreus. Conclusions: It can be concluded that serum latex of Calotropis procera was found to display strong potential for the synthesis of AgNPs as antimicrobial agents through rapid reduction of silver ions (Ag
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To ascertain analgesic, antibacterial and central nervous system (CNS) depressant activities of ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and carbon tetrachloride fractions of methanol extract of Albizia procera (A. procera) leaves.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Leaves extracts of A. procera were tested for analgesic activity by acetic acid induced and formalin test method in mice. The in vitro antibacterial activity was performed by agar well diffusion method. CNS depressant activity was evaluated by hole cross and open field tests.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the extracts at 200 mg/kg exhibited significant (P<0.01) analgesic activity in acetic acid induced and formalin tests method in mice. Analgesic activity of the ethyl acetate fraction was almost same like as standard drug indomethacin in acetic acid induced method. The CNS depressant activity of the extracts at 500 mg/kg was comparable to the positive control diazepam as determined by hole cross and open field test method. The extracts exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity against all the tested microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Esherichia coli, Shigella soneii, Shigella boydii) at concentration of 0.8 mg/disc. The measured diameter of zone of inhibition for the extracts was within the range of 7 to 12 mm which was less than the standard kanamycin (16-24 mm).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is concluded that all the extracts possess potential analgesic and CNS depressants activity. This study also showed that different fractions of methanol extract could be potential sources of new antimicrobial agents.</p>
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen the essential oil of Juniperus procera (J. procera) (Cupressaceae) for larvicidal activity against late third instar larvae of Anopheles arabiensis (An. arabiensis) Patton, the principle malaria vector in Ethiopia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The essential oil of J. procera was evaluated against the larvae of An. arabiensis under the laboratory and semi-field conditions by adopting the World Health Organization standard protocols. The larval mortality was observed for 24 h of post exposure.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The essential oil of J. procera has demonstrated varying degrees of larvicidal activity against An. arabiensis. The LC50 and LC90 values of J. procera were 14.42 and 24.65 mg/L, respectively under the laboratory conditions, and from this data, a Chi-square value 6.662 was observed to be significant at the P=0.05 level. However, under the semi-field conditions the LC50 and LC90 values of J. procera were 24.51 and 34.21 mg/L, respectively and a Chi-square value 4.615 was significant at the P=0.05 level. The observations clearly showed that larval mortality rate is completely time and dose-dependent as compared with the control.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This investigation indicates that J. procera could serve as a potential larvicidal agent against insect vector of diseases, particularly An. arabiensis. However further studies are strongly recommended for the identification of the chemical constituents and the mode of action towards the rational design of alternative promising insecticidal agents in the near future.</p>
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Objective: To screen the essential oil of Juniperus procera (J. procera) (Cupressaceae) for larvicidal activity against late third instar larvae of Anopheles arabiensis (An. arabiensis) Patton, the principle malaria vector in Ethiopia.Methods:the laboratory and semi-field conditions by adopting the World Health Organization standard protocols. The larval mortality was observed for 24 h of post exposure.Results:The essential oil of J. procera has demonstrated varying degrees of larvicidal activity The essential oil of J. procera was evaluated against the larvae of An. arabiensis under against An. arabiensis. The LC50 and LC90 values of J. procera were 14.42 and 24.65 mg/L, respectively under the laboratory conditions, and from this data, a Chi-square value 6.662 was observed to be significant at the P=0.05 level. However, under the semi-field conditions the LC50 and LC90 values of J. procera were 24.51 and 34.21 mg/L, respectively and a Chi-square value 4.615 was significant at the P=0.05 level. The observations clearly showed that larval mortality rate is completely time and dose-dependent as compared with the control.Conclusions:This investigation indicates that J. procera could serve as a potential larvicidal agent against insect vector of diseases, particularly An. arabiensis. However further studies are strongly recommended for the identification of the chemical constituents and the mode of action towards the rational design of alternative promising insecticidal agents in the near future.
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Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton,Apocynaceae, popularly known as "algodão-de-seda", is a wild African bush, rich in bioactive substances that determine the medicinal potential of this species. Diabetes mellitus is a disease that affects about 10% of the population. This study aimed to evaluate the antihyperglycaemic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves of C. procera of occurrence in coast of Pernambuco, Brazil. The hydroalcholic extract of the leaves of C. procera (300 and 600 mg/kg/day), vehicle, insulin (6U, s.c.) or metformin (500 mg/ kg/day) were administered orally to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (n = 7/group) for four weeks. Changes in body weight, food and water intake, biochemical markers, fasting glucose levels and oral glucose tolerance test were evaluated. The results showed that the C. procera dried extract (300 and 600 mg/kg) reduced significantly the level of blood glucose throughout the evaluation period and improved metabolic status of the animals and ameliorate the oral tolerance glucose test. The phytochemical screening revealed and quantified the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in a percentage of 29.1 and 2.9%, respectively. Thus, we conclude that the extract of the leaves of C. procera has antihyperglycemic activity.