Evaluation of indigenous plants’ extracts for mosquitocidal activity against different stages of Culex quinquefasciatus say (Diptera: Culicidae)

Being vector of West Nile Virus and falariasis the control of Culex quinquefasciatus is likely to be essential. Synthetic insecticide treatment is looking most effective for vectors mosquito control. However, these products are toxic to the environment and non-target organisms. Consequently, ecofriendly control of vectors mosquito is needed. In this regard botanical insecticide is looking more fruitful. Therefore, the present research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of methanolic extract and various fractions, including, n-hexane, ethyl-acetate, chloroform, and aqueous fraction, obtained from methanolic extract of Ailanthus altissima, Artemisia scoparia, and Justicia adhatoda using separating funnel against larval, pupal, and adult stages of Culex quinquefasciatus. The larvae and pupae of Culex quinquefasciatus were exposed to various concentrations (31.25-1000 ppm) of methanolic extract and its fractions for 24 hours of exposure period. For knock-down bioassay (filter paper impregnation bioassay) different concentration of the methanolic extract and its various fractions (i.e. 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1mg/mL) were applied for 1 hour exposure period. The results were statistically analysed using standard deviation, probit analysis, and linear regression. The R2 values of larvae, pupae, and adult range from 0.4 to 0.99. The values of LC50 (concentration causing 50% mortality) for late 3rd instar larvae after 24 hours exposure period range from 93-1856.7 ppm, while LC90 values range from 424 -7635.5ppm. The values of LC50for pupae range form 1326.7-6818.4ppm and and values of LC90 range from 3667.3-17427.9ppm, respectively. The KDT50 range from 0.30 to 2.8% and KDT90 values range from1.2 to 110.8%, respectively. In conclusion, Justicia adhatoda may be effective for controlling populations of vector mosquito.

Comprehensive Analysis and Assessment of the Role of Major Bioactive Compounds Isolated from Justicia Adhatoda Leaves as Potent Antimycobacterial Agents

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be one of the world's leading causes of death by the infectious pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which infects one-third of the global population. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic made its spread rapid and the treatment task more daunting. With the havoc of infectious disease expansion, traditional medicines have triggered tremendous interest worldwide. However, less availability of scientific evidence still hinders its practical use. In the present study, we evaluated the potential of the traditional medicinal plant, Justicia adhatoda, which has been used to treat respiratory ailments since ancient times. We have successfully isolated and characterized several bioactive compounds viz- Vasicoline, Vasicolinone, Adhatodine, Adhavasine, Aniflorine, and Vasicinone from J. adhatoda plant leaves, including Vasicine as the principal compound, and showed their anti-tubercular activity on nutrient-starved Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium bovis. The study also directs their in-vitro and ex-vivo antimycobacterial potential on THP1 macrophages with internalized Mycobacterium. Our study is one of its first kind, where we assessed the synergistic antimycobacterial effect of the isolated compounds with the first-line drug Isoniazid (INH). Their potential role in promoting phagolysosome fusion and apoptosis of M. bovis infected THP1 macrophages is further evaluated.

Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Activity Comparison in Various Plant Parts of Justicia adhatoda L.

There are many medicinal plants that have various medicinal properties in their different parts. The medicinal plants are major backbone of pharmaceutical industries. In this article we compare the antioxidants properties from various plants parts (root, stem, leaf, flower and bark) of the most important medicinal plant, Justicia adhatoda L. Various plant parts showed the good amount of antioxidant properties. These results enhance the medicinal properties of this plant due to the presence of good amount of antioxidants; among all the plant parts leaves and flowers showed maximum natural antioxidants, hence the study could be saying that this plant has good efficacy of antioxidants.

Recent Advances of the Medicinal Plant Compound for Combating Pneumonia Disease: A Review

Bacteria, influenza, parasites and fungi are pathogenic microorganisms that cause infectious diseases. Diseases can spread from one individual to another, either directly or indirectly. Infectious diseases are world’s second most common cause of death. Rainforest plants provide about quarter of drugs we need. Scientific research has been carried out on few medicinal plants, but only to small degree. Bacterial susceptibility to currently active antibiotics has necessitated discovery of new antibacterial agents. Several plants are widely used as herbal medicine for treatment of infectious diseases in rural and backward areas of India. This chapter looks over the publications on medicinal plants that are used to cure diseases like malaria, pneumonia. Traditional medicine is preferred primary health care system in many rural areas for variety of reasons, including its affordability and efficacy. The current study focused on existing medicinal plant literature, with ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology details being highlighted. All of examined plants showed potent action, supporting their conventional uses as well as their ability to cure common diseases. Curcuma longa L., Punica granatum L. and Justicia adhatoda L. were most widely used plant families for pneumonia therapy in research area (each with seven plants); of these, Curcuma longa L., Punica granatum L. and Justicia adhatoda L. had most inhibiting ability against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Ascorbic acid, curcumin, vasicine, piperine, quercetin, myricetin and gallic acid have all been derived from these plants and are said to have antibacterial properties. Although Himalayan region has wide range of ethnomedicinal plants used to treat pneumonia, research on in-vivo activity, toxicology, and mechanism of action is minimal. As result, in order to produce novel antibacterial drugs from studied plant species, thorough study of these aspects is needed.

Phytochemical Screening of Selected Botanicals and their Effectiveness Against Maize Weevil (Sitophilus Zeamais Motsch.) at Paklihawa, Rupandehi, Nepal

Laboratory experiment was done to perform the phytochemical screening of six locally available botanicals (Azadirachta indica Juss, Artemisia dubia Wall, Lantana camara L, Parthenium hysterophorus L, Justicia adhatoda Linn. and Moringa oleifera L.) and their effectiveness to control the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motsch.) at Agriecology lab of Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Paklihawa Campus, Rupandehi, Nepal. Seven treatments (leaf extract of A. indica, A. dubia, L. camara, P. hysterophorus. J. adhatoda and M. oleifera and distilled water as control) applied at 3 different doses (0.5, 1 & 2g/50g seeds) were arranged in CRD design with 3 replications. Result of mortality test of maize weevil revealed that, at highest concentration of L. camara powder (T17- 2g/50 gm seeds) mortality of maize weevil was observed up to 85% at 45 DAT. Whereas number of damaged grain was lowest in T17 (L. camara powder- 2g/50 gm seeds). The effectiveness of botanicals was found to increase with increasing the concentration. Besides that, Justicia adhatoda (2g/50g seeds) and Artemisia dubia (1g/50g seeds) were also found as good candidates to use for the control of Sitophilus zeamais. Qualitative tests done for the presence of various phytochemicals showed that Azadirachta indica Juss and Artemisia dubia Wall. were found to contain most of the tested metabolites among all botanicals. Most of those phytochemicals were extracted by the aqueous solution rather than other 3 menstrums used (acetone, methanol and petroleum ether). Similarly, quantitative test revealed that percentage of alkaloid was found 18.01%, 17.78%, 17.75%, 11.58%, 8.20%, 6.78% and flavonoid15.32%, 13.63%, 12.86%, 11.36%, 7. 51% 2.85% respectively in L. camara L. P. hysterophorus L., J. adhatoda Linn., M. oleifera L., A. indica Juss. and A. dubia Wall. Leaf extract of L. camera found to contain highest botanicals extract reach in alkaloid and flavonoid mayhave insecticidal property and could be use as grain protectant percentage of alkaloid (18.01%) as well as flavonoid (15.32%) So, it was concluded that the locally available against the maize weevil at storage condition in cost effective and eco-friendly manner; however, application at proper dose is necessary to maintain the efficacy at higher level.

Antibacterial Activity of CuO Nanoparticles Synthesized by Justicia adhatoda Leaf Extract

Aims: To determine the antibacterial activity of CuO nanoparticles (CuO NPs) synthesized by Justicia adhatoda leaf extract. Study Design: Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity determination of CuO NPs. Place and Duration of Study: PG and Research Department of Chemistry, V.O.Chidambaram College, Tuticorin, Tamilnadu, India, between April 2019 and April 2020. Methodology: CuO NPs were synthesised using Justicia adhatoda leaf extract. UV-Visible spectroscopy was used to characterize CuO NPs. The role of biomolecules in plant extract in the formation of the CuO NPs was identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The particle size and lattice properties of CuO NPs were determined using XRD. The surface morphology of CuO NPs was studied using SEM. The presence of Cu and O in CuO NPs was confirmed using EDAX analysis. Bacterial antimicrobial activity was investigated. Results: An absorbance band at 285 nm in the UV–visible spectrum clearly revealed the formation of CuO NPs. In the FTIR, CuO NPs had a distinct absorption peak at 608 cm-1, confirming metal–oxygen stretching in Cu-O nanostructures. The presence of crystalline CuO NPs was confirmed by XRD patterns, and they were found to be spherical in shape with a size range of 23.21–37.57 nm, as evidenced by FESEM. The biosynthesized CuO NPs exhibited a strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus cereus bacteria. Conclusion: Justicia adhatoda leaf extract mediated CuO NPs have shown significant antibacterial activity and they are considered potent antibacterial agents.

Comprehensive Analysis and Assessment of the Role of Major Bioactive Compounds Isolated from Justicia Adhatoda Leaves as Potent Antimycobacterial Agents

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be one of the world's leading causes of death by the infectious pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which infects one-third of the global population. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic made its spread rapid and the treatment task more daunting. With the havoc of infectious disease expansion, traditional medicines have triggered tremendous interest worldwide. However, less availability of scientific evidence still hinders its practical use. In the present study, we evaluated the potential of the traditional medicinal plant, Justicia adhatoda, which has been used to treat respiratory ailments since ancient times. We have successfully isolated and characterized several bioactive compounds viz- Vasicoline, Vasicolinone, Adhatodine, Adhavasine, Aniflorine, and Vasicinone from J. adhatoda plant leaves, including Vasicine as the principal compound, and showed their anti-tubercular activity on nutrient-starved Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium bovis. The study also directs their in-vitro and ex-vivo antimycobacterial potential on THP1 macrophages with internalized Mycobacterium. Our study is one of its first kind, where we assessed the synergistic antimycobacterial effect of the isolated compounds with the first-line drug Isoniazid (INH). Their potential role in promoting phagolysosome fusion and apoptosis of M. bovis infected THP1 macrophages is further evaluated.

Identification of Potential Scaffolds From the Shrub Justicia Adhatoda Against SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Target

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly infectious and pathogenic virus. To date, there is a lack of proper medication against this virus, which has triggered the scientific community to find therapeutics. Searching of SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors from anti-viral natural products based on traditional knowledge may be an effective approach. In this work, structure-based virtual screening of the compounds of Justicia adhatoda was performed against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, followed by ADME filtration, molecular dynamics, and MMGBSA-based binding free energy calculation. On the basis of docking score, crucial interacting amino acid residues, molecular dynamics, and binding energy profile, three novel phenolic compounds JA_38b, JA_38c, and JA_39 were selected as potential binders against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. This information may be used to develop potential therapeutics countermeasures against SARS-CoV-2 infection after in vitro and detailed pharmacological study.