https://jcp.bmj.com/content/jclinpath/12/2/193.1.full.pdf

Practical Clinical Biochemistry

Contrary to NAFTA’s stated objectives, the Mexican economy has failed in its promise to create quality jobs and to address the erratic and feeble growth of workers’ income. Mexico’s global trade deficit is growing despite its increasing trade surplus with the United States, and the race to the bottom set off by NAFTA has meant nothing better than low-wage work for most Mexican workers, while benefiting large companies, the financial sector, and a thin layer of administrative and professional workers who are earning high salaries. Employment has become increasingly precarious overall, the agricultural sector has suffered a large and steady loss of employment, and real salaries remain below the levels of the early 1990s, as Mexico’s dependence on global imports grows.

Facts from figures

THAT Egypt is 'the gift of the Nile' may be true from the point of view of human civilization but such a phrase would be misleading if applied to the plant-life of the country. Even the weed flora of the canals and cultivated land is not uniform, and to this must be added the ephemeral flora of the deserts, and the mountains and mountain valleys of Sinai and the Elba mountains. Many botanists have explored Egypt and much has been published regarding both the wild and cultivated flora. However, the need for an accurate and up-to-date taxonomic account cannot be gainsaid, and the present work* by Mrs. Tackholm and the late Prof. G. Tackholm is intended to meet this need.

Flora of egypt

In ongoing screening research for edible plants, Petroselinum crispum essential oil was considered as a potential bioinsecticide with proven antimosquito activity against both the pyrethroid susceptible and resistant strains of Aedes aegypti. Due to the comparative mosquitocidal efficacy on these mosquitoes, this plant essential oil is promoted as an attractive candidate for further study in monitoring resistance of mosquito vectors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of P. crispum essential oil on the biochemical characteristics of the target mosquito larvae of Ae. aegypti, by determining quantitative changes of key enzymes responsible for xenobiotic detoxification, including glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), α- and β-esterases (α-/β-ESTs), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), acid and alkaline phosphatases (ACP and ALP) and mixed-function oxidases (MFO). Three populations of Ae. aegypti, comprising the pyrethroid susceptible Muang Chiang Mai-susceptible (MCM-S) strain and the pyrethroid resistant Pang Mai Dang-resistant (PMD-R) and Upakut-resistant (UPK-R) strains, were used as test organisms. Biochemical study of Ae. aegypti larvae prior to treatment with P. crispum essential oil revealed that apart from AChE, the baseline activity of most defensive enzymes, such as GSTs, α-/β-ESTs, ACP, ALP and MFO, in resistant UPK-R or PMD-R, was higher than that determined in susceptible MCM-S. However, after 24-h exposure to P. crispum essential oil, the pyrethroid susceptible and resistant Ae. aegypti showed similarity in biochemical features, with alterations of enzyme activity in the treated larvae, as compared to the controls. An increase in the activity levels of GSTs, α-/β-ESTs, ACP and ALP was recorded in all strains of P. crispum oil-treated Ae. aegypti larvae, whereas MFO and AChE activity in these mosquitoes was decreased. The recognizable larvicidal capability on pyrethroid resistant Ae. aegypti, and the inhibitory effect on AChE and MFO, emphasized the potential of P. crispum essential oil as an attractive alternative application for management of mosquito resistance in current and future control programs.

https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/10/1/1/pdf

Biochemical Effects of Petroselinum crispum (Umbellifereae) Essential Oil on the Pyrethroid Resistant Strains of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

Facts from Figures. By M. J. Moroney. Pp. viii, 472. 5s. 1951. (Penguin Books)

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of fruit extracts from toothpick weed Ammi visnaga on the acid (ACP) and alkaline (ALP) phosphatases in haemolymph and fat bodies of Schistocerca gregaria. LC50s of ethanol, petroleum ether and n-butanol extracts (21.0, 12.0 and 22.5%, respectively) were applied for penultimate instar nymphs. The enzyme activity was determined in the last instar nymphs (of three ages) and newly emerged adult females. Both ethanol and petroleum ether extracts promoted the ACP activity in haemolymph throughout nymphal life and newly emerged adults. In contrast, n-butanol extract caused a drastic reduction in the enzyme activity in haemolymph of nymphs and adults. With regard to ACP activity in fat bodies, a considerable induction in both early- and lateaged nymphs was achieved by each of ethanol and petroleum ether extracts and vice versa for n-butanol extract. Enhanced enzyme activity was estimated in newly emerged adults, regardless the extract. ALP activity in haemolymph was significantly reduced throughout the nymphal life after treatment with petroleum ether extract or n-butanol extract. The n-butanol extract exhibited an inhibitory effect on the enzyme activity in only earlyaged nymphs. Increasing ALP was measured in the newly emerged adults, irrespective of the extract. Ethanol extract suppressed ALP in fat bodies of early- and mid-aged nymphs and n-butanol extract prohibited it only in earlyaged nymphs. The newly emerged adults had significantly stimulated ALP activity by all extracts.

Disturbed acid and alkaline phosphatase activities in desert locust Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) by extracts from the khella plant Ammi visnaga L. (Apiaceae).

The current work was carried out to investigate the effects of methanolic, petroleum ether and nbutanol extracts (30.0, 15.0, 7.5, 3.7 and 1.8%) of Nigella sativa seeds on several parameters of the adult performance and phase transition of Schistocerca gregaria. The n-butanol extract exhibited the most potent adulticidal activity followed with petroleum ether and methanolic extract, respectively, after treatment of penultimate (4) instar nymphs. After treatment of last (5) instar nymphs, methanolic extract exhibited the least adulticidal activity. Also, treatment of penultimate instar nymphs with N. sativa extracts resulted in blocked adult emergence in a dose-dependent course. Whereas no effect was exhibited by n-butanol extract on adult emergence after treatment of last instar nymphs, various degrees of restrained process was determined at some concentrations of other extracts. All N. sativa extracts (only at the higher two concentrations) caused adult deformities after treatment of the penultimate instar nymphs. After treatment of the last instar nymphs, nbutanol extract halted the adult morphogenesis only at the higher two concentrations but other extracts impaired it at all concentrations. In connection with the phase transition, treatment of penultimate instar nymphs with n-butanol extract (at 15.0 %) resulted in a solitarious tendency of S. gregaria adults as appeared with deeply green colour. The ovarian maturation in adult females was pronouncedly or slightly prohibited by N. sativa extracts during prolonged duration, depending on the concentration. Also, the reproductive life-time (oviposition period) was affected. Total adult longevity was shortened or prolonged, i.e. adult aging was accelerated or delayed, depending on extracts, concentration level and time of treatment.

/pdf/efficacy-of-nigella-sativa-ranunculaceae-extracts-on-adult-4c0vmhs2q9.pdf

Efficacy of Nigella Sativa (Ranunculaceae) Extracts on Adult Performance and Phase Transition of the Desert Locust Schistocerca gregaria (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

The desert locust Schistocerca gregaria is an economically dangerous pest invading several countries in North Africa and West Asia. The present work aims at assessing the effects of Nigella sativa extracts, compared to Azadirachta indica extract Neemazal, on survival and development of this pest. Treatment of the newly moulted penultimate instar or the newly moulted last instar nymphs with Neemazal leads to the decrease in gained somatic weight. It, also, exhibiteds an inhibitory effect on the development of penultimate instar nymphs and intervenes with the metamorphosis program because that some nymphal-adult intermediates were formed. After treatment of the newly moulted penultimate instar nymphs with N. sativa extracts, the lethal effects of both the methanolic and petroleum ether extracts were exerted early in the same treated nymphs but no mortality rats were detected among the treated last instar nymphs by methanolic extract. Treatments of the same nymphs with N. sativa extracts led to the decrease in the body weight gain.  The methanolic or petroleum ether extract significantly inhibited the nymphal development. Treatment with n-butanolic extract resulted in disrupted metamorphosis because some nymphal-adult intermediates appeared proportionally to the concentration level. Treatments of the newly moulted last instar nymphs with N. sativa extracts deprived the nymphs to obtain normal somatic weight. Methanolic extract caused a slightly suppressed developmental rate. The n-butanolic extract exhibited a reverse action because significantly accelerated developmental rates, were recorded.

https://eajbsa.journals.ekb.eg/article_13246_8931ded7407f84935d9b1ed3fe62d546.pdf

Disturbed Survival, Growth and Development of the Desert Locust Schistocerca gregaria by Different Extracts of Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae) and Nigella sativa (Ranunculaceae).

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of peel extracts from pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn.) on the glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) activities in haemolymph and fat bodies of Schistocerca gregaria. LC50s of ethanol, petroleum ether and n-butanol extracts (36.7, 22.2 and 40.7%, respectively) were applied for penultimate instar nymphs. The enzyme activity was determined in the last instar nymphs (of three ages) and newly emerged adult females. A predominant enhancing effect on the GOT activity in haemolymph of nymphs and adults was exhibited by all extracts, with few exceptions. Both ethanol extract and n-butanol extract exhibited a remarkable reducing effect on GOT activity in fat bodies of nymphs. In fat body of adults, ethanol extract promoted the enzyme activity but petroleum ether extract and n-butanol extract prohibited it. Petroleum ether extract exhibited a considerable inducing effect on the GPT activity in haemolymph of nymphs and adults. Ethanol extract promoted the enzyme activity in early- and midaged nymphs but prohibited it in late-aged nymphs and adults. The n-butanol extract significantly induced the enzyme activity in mid-aged nymphs and adults but slightly or seriously suppressed it in early- and late-aged nymphs. GPT activity was elaborately promoted in fat bodies of earl-aged nymphs, regardless the extract. On the contrary, the enzyme level was dramatically dropped in mid-aged nymphs. The GPT activity in fat body of adults was drastically suppressed, regardless the extract.

http://www.ijcrar.com/vol-2-6/K.Ghoneim,%20et%20al.pdf

Transaminase perturbation in certain tissues of Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) by Punica granatum Linn. (Lythraceae) extracts

The present work was carried out aiming to assess the Nigella sativa extracts on some hematological parameters of nymphs and adults of the dangerous pest Schistocerca gregaria . Only three haemocyte types were recognized in haemolymph of nymphs and adults, viz ., plasmatocytes (PLs), granulocytes (GRs) and coagulocytes (CGs). In the haemolymph, total haemocyte count increased or decreased depending on the developmental stage, nymphal age and extract. All N. sativa extracts exhibited prevalent inhibitory effects on PLs in nymphs and adults. In contrast, GRs was generally enhanced in nymphs and adults by both methanol and petroleum ether extracts while promoted by n-butanol extract in nymphs and inhibited adults. Also, enhanced or inhibited CGs depended on the developmental stage, nymphal age, extract and concentration level. The majority of N. sativa extracts caused several morphological and intracellular disorders in some hemocytes. The cytopathological symptoms could be described as: cell lysis, destroyed plasma membranes, extruded cytoplasmic contents and vacuolated cytoplasm and nuclei.

Qualitative and quantitative changes in the haemogram of desert locust Schistocerca gregaria (Orthoptera: Acrididae) by extracts of Nigella sativa (Ranunculaceae).

A. Mohammad

Papers

Disturbed acid and alkaline phosphatase activities in desert locust Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) by extracts from the khella plant Ammi visnaga L. (Apiaceae).

Efficacy of Nigella Sativa (Ranunculaceae) Extracts on Adult Performance and Phase Transition of the Desert Locust Schistocerca gregaria (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Disturbed Survival, Growth and Development of the Desert Locust Schistocerca gregaria by Different Extracts of Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae) and Nigella sativa (Ranunculaceae).

Transaminase perturbation in certain tissues of Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) by Punica granatum Linn. (Lythraceae) extracts

Qualitative and quantitative changes in the haemogram of desert locust Schistocerca gregaria (Orthoptera: Acrididae) by extracts of Nigella sativa (Ranunculaceae).