In Vitro Nematocidal Properties from Two Extracts: Lippia graveolens Leaves and Delonix regia Flowers Against Eggs and Infective Larvae of Haemonchus contortus.

The objective of this study was to assay the ovicidal and larvicidal effects of two hydroalcoholic extracts (HA-E) and their aqueous fractions (Aq-F) and organic fractions (EtOAc-F) from Lippia graveolens (leaves) and Delonix regia (flowers) against the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus. The egg hatching inhibition test (% EHI) and mortality of infective larvae (% mortality) were used as biological models. The treatments of each plant (mg/mL, % EHI, and % mortality) were assigned as follows: HA-E (12.5-50, EHI; 25-200, mortality), Aq-F (6.25-25.00, EHI; 12.5-50, mortality), EtOAc-F (0.37-25, EHI; 3.12-50, mortality), negative controls (distilled water and methanol at 2% and 4%), and positive control (ivermectin at 5 mg/mL). Data were analyzed using a completely randomized design through an analysis of variance, considering the EHI and mortality percentages as the response variables. To identify the secondary metabolites, both plants were subjected to qualitative chemical analysis and HPLC. The results showed that both plants exhibited highly ovicidal and larvicidal effects. The bipartition in each HA extract allowed the increase of the anthelmintic effect in EtOAc-F, achieving a total ovicidal activity at 1.56 mg/mL and a larvicidal effect higher than 90% at 25 mg/mL. The qualitative chemical profile of both vegetal species identified alkaloids, flavonoids, condensed tannins, terpenes, and saponins. These results suggest that either L. graveolens leaves or D. regia flowers could be potential candidates for the control of parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes in small ruminants. However, in vivo studies with experimental animals to evaluate their possible toxicity and anthelmintic effect are necessary.

Bioactivity of a Linoleic Acid-Rich Fraction of Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae) Leaves against the Yellow Sugarcane Aphid, Sipha flava (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

ABSTRACT: The insecticidal activity of a Ricinus communis leaf hexane extract and its fractions against adult yellow sugarcane aphids (Sipha flava) was evaluated using a contact bioassay after fumigation. The n-hexane extract at 10,000 ppm achieved the highest mortality (80%); the positive control had 100% mortality and the negative control had only 4% mortality over the 72-h experiment time. Chemical fractionation of the hexane extract of R. communis leaves produced multiple fractions, and 10,000 ppm of the F4 fraction resulted in 92% aphid mortality at 72 h. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the F4 fraction revealed linoleic acid as the major compound (84.5%). The R. communis n-hexane extract and linoleic acid could be used for integrated pest control as an ecologically friendly alternative to synthetic chemical insecticides.

Physical environmental conditions determine ubiquitous spatial differentiation of standing plants and seedbanks in Neotropical riparian dry forests.

Mexican tropical dry forests are remarkably extensive and floristically diverse despite manifesting alarming rates of deforestation. Riparian habitats within dry forests provide critical ecological benefits that may mitigate negative impacts, but processes underlying riparian functions are still not well understood. We identified physical environmental conditions affecting the composition and abundance of standing vegetation assemblages and woody and herbaceous components in soil seedbank assemblages of riparian corridors in central Mexico using mainly NMDS ordination techniques, permuted analysis of variance (PERMANOVA), permuted analysis of multivariate dispersions and constrained ordination (CAP). We then determined representative species associated with particular environmental conditions using an indicator species analysis and assessed the effects of physical environmental variables/factors on total seed abundances by fitting a mixed-effect model. For the standing vegetation study, we assessed the effects of the type of the river condition (differing in surface flow permanence), location, and height above river level on the community composition based on three species importance criteria (abundance, coverage and DBH). For the soil seedbank study, we assessed the effects of these variables/factors plus season and land use. Spatial heterogeneity was a prevailing feature in riparian vegetation, in the standing vegetation and soil seedbank of both woody and herbaceous components. Height above river level had a significant effect on the three species importance criteria of standing vegetation and so did the interaction between surface flow permanence and height on coverage. The soil seedbank of woody and herbaceous plants showed significant differences between seasons; Taxodium mucronatum was an indicator tree species in dry seasons. Land use, height, surface flow permanence and the interaction between land use and surface flow permanence had significant effects on the soil seedbank of herbaceous plants. Total seed abundances in the soil varied between years and were higher at lower height values, during the dry seasons, and when rivers were permanent. Tree communities, commonly the most important elements in riparian ecosystems, were preserved in the soil seedbank of cultivated areas for >30 years. Seeds of herbaceous communities were predominant and ecologically relevant as indicator species because of their high sensitivity to several key environmental factors, constituting a critical component of Mexican tropical dry forests riparian corridors.

Plantas medicinales utilizadas para enfermedades del sistema digestivo en Tetela del Volcán, Estado de Morelos, México / Medicinal plants used for diseases of the digestive system in Tetela del Volcan, State of Morelos, Mexico

The medicinal plants has been used since Prehispanic times by Mexican people to treat digestive diseases. Nowadays their use is a common practice in the poor communities. This work describes the traditional use of medicinal plants to cure these type of ailment in the community of Tetela del Volcán. Guided collect of botanical material and a total of 92 semi-structured interviews to 58 people were carried out. A total of 78 species, 70 genus and 36 families were registered. The families Asteracea and Lamiaceae predominanted culturally. Most of the species were cultivated and branches were preferably utilized. Of the total of 24 diseases, stomach pain and diarrhea were the most important. The species Matricaria chamomilla L., Mentha x piperita L., Artemisia absinthium L. y Psidium guajava L had the highest modified Friedman Fidelity Indexes. This biocultural heritage contributes to health, thus to the well-bearing of inhabitants of Tetela del Volcán.

Los mexicanos han utilizado las plantas medicinales para las enfermedades del sistema digestivo desde la época prehispánica, actualmente son particularmente empleadas en las comunidades pobres. Se describe el uso de las plantas medicinales para curar dicho tipo de padecimientos en la comunidad de Tetela del Volcán. Se realizaron colectas guiadas de material botánico y 92 entrevistas semi- estructuradas a 59 informantes. Se registraron 78 especies pertenecientes a 70 géneros y 36 familias. Las familias Asteracea y Lamiaceae dominan culturalmente. La mayoría de las especies son cultivadas y se usan preferentemente las ramas. De 24 enfermedades, el dolor de estómago y la diarrea fueron las más importantes. Las especies Matricaria chamomilla L., Mentha x piperita L., Artemisia absinthium L. y Psidium guajava L. tuvieron los mayores Índices de Fidelidad de Friedman modificados. Este patrimonio biocultural contribuye en la salud y, por lo tanto, al bienestar de los habitantes de Tetela del Volcán.