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PloS One 2022The preference-performance hypothesis explains host specificity in phytophagous insects, positing that host plants chosen by adults confer the greatest larval fitness.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The preference-performance hypothesis explains host specificity in phytophagous insects, positing that host plants chosen by adults confer the greatest larval fitness. However, adults sometimes oviposit on plants supporting low larval success because the components of host specificity (adult preference, plant palatability, and larval survival) are non-binary and not necessarily correlated. Palatability (willingness to eat) is governed by chemical cues and physical barriers such as trichomes, while survival (ability to complete development) depends upon nutrition and toxicity. Absence of a correlation between the components of host specificity results in low-performance hosts supporting limited larval development. Most studies of specificity focus on oviposition behavior leaving the importance and basis of palatability and survival under-explored. We conducted a comprehensive review of 127 plant species that have been claimed or tested to be hosts for the monarch butterfly Danaus plexippus to classify them as non-hosts, low performance, or high performance. We performed a meta-analysis to test if performance status could be explained by properties of neurotoxic cardenolides or trichome density. We also conducted a no-choice larval feeding experiment to identify causes of low performance. We identified 34 high performance, 42 low performance, 33 non-hosts, and 18 species with unsubstantiated claims. Mean cardenolide concentration was greater in high- than low-performance hosts and a significant predictor of host status, suggesting possible evolutionary trade-offs in monarch specialization. Other cardenolide properties and trichome density were not significant predictors of host status. In the experiment, we found, of the 62% of larvae that attempted to eat low-performance hosts, only 3.5% survived to adult compared to 85% of those on the high-performance host, demonstrating that multiple factors affect larval host plant specificity. Our study is the first to classify all known host plants for monarchs and has conservation implications for this threatened species.
Topics: Animals; Asclepias; Butterflies; Cardenolides; Female; Host Specificity; Larva
PubMed: 35700160
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269701 -
Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 2022Gomes is a fruit and medicinal tree species native to South America, which in Brazil is considered of potential economic value and priority for research and... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Gomes is a fruit and medicinal tree species native to South America, which in Brazil is considered of potential economic value and priority for research and development. We present a map of the state-of-art, including articles, patents, and molecular data of the species to identify perspectives for future research. The annual scientific production, intellectual, social, and conceptual structure were evaluated, along with the number of patent deposits, components of the plant used, countries of deposit, international classification and assignees, and the accessibility of available molecular data. Brazil has the most significant publications (306) between 1992 and 2020. Technological products (29) have been developed from different tissues of the plant. Most of the articles and patents were developed by researchers from public universities from different regions of Brazil. The molecular data are sequences of nucleotides (164) and proteins (236) of the chloroplast genome and are described to identify the species as DNA barcodes and proteins involved in photosynthesis. The compilation and report of scientific, technological, and molecular information in the present review allowed the identification of new perspectives of research to be developed based on the gaps in knowledge regarding the species and perspectives for the definition of future research.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10722-021-01319-w.
PubMed: 35068695
DOI: 10.1007/s10722-021-01319-w -
Maturitas Jun 2024Medicinal cannabis might have a role in supporting the mental health of people with cancer. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the efficacy and safety of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Medicinal cannabis might have a role in supporting the mental health of people with cancer. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the efficacy and safety of medicinal cannabis, compared with any control, as an intervention for depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in people living with cancer. A secondary aim was to examine the effect of low versus high Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) dose on these outcomes.
METHODS
Five databases were systematically searched, and complemented with a snowball search from inception to May 2023, for any type of interventional study that included humans of any age with any cancer type. Primary outcomes were incidence and severity of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Secondary outcomes were mood, cognition, quality of life, appetite, nutrition status, gastrointestinal symptoms, and adverse events. Data were pooled using Review Manager. Evidence was appraised using Cochrane risk of bias tools. Confidence in the estimated effect of pooled outcomes was assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).
RESULTS
Fifteen studies (n = 11 randomized trials, n = 4 non-randomized trials) of 18 interventions (N = 1898 total participants; 100 % ≥18 years of age) were included. Ten studies examined THC (70 % synthetic), two synthetic cannabidiol with or without THC, and six whole-plant extracts. No clinically significant effects of medicinal cannabis were found on primary outcomes. The likelihood of anxiety events increased with higher-dose synthetic THC compared with a lower dose (OR: 2.0; 95 % CI: 1.4, 2.9; p < 0.001; Confidence: very low). Medicinal cannabis (THC, cannabidiol, and whole-plant extract) increased the likelihood of improved appetite (OR: 12.3; 95 % CI: 3.5, 45.5; p < 0.001; n = 3 interventions; Confidence: moderate) and reduced severity of appetite loss (SMD: -0.4; 95 % CI: -0.8, -0.1; p = 0.009; Confidence: very low). There was very low confidence that higher doses of synthetic THC increased the likelihood of any adverse event (OR: 0.5; 95 % CI: 0.3, 0.7; p < 0.001). Medicinal cannabis had no effect on emotional functioning, mood changes, confusion, disorientation, quality of life, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Confidence in findings was limited by some studies having high or unclear risk of bias and imprecise pooled estimates.
CONCLUSIONS
There was insufficient evidence to determine the efficacy and safety of medicinal cannabis as a therapeutic intervention for depression, anxiety, or stress in people with active cancer. Further research should explore whether medicinal cannabis might improve and maintain appetite and if high-dose synthetic THC might increase the incidence of side-effects, including anxiety. To inform clinical practice, well-powered and rigorously designed trials are warranted that evaluate the effects of medicinal cannabis prescribed to target anxiety, depression, and stress.
Topics: Humans; Neoplasms; Medical Marijuana; Anxiety; Depression; Stress, Psychological; Dronabinol; Quality of Life
PubMed: 38430618
DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2024.107941 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Apr 2023Pueraria Flos (PF), a traditional herbal medicine, is botanically from the dried flowers of Pueraria lobate (Willd.) Ohwi. (Chinese: ) or Pueraria thomsonii Benth.... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Pueraria Flos (PF), a traditional herbal medicine, is botanically from the dried flowers of Pueraria lobate (Willd.) Ohwi. (Chinese: ) or Pueraria thomsonii Benth. (Chinese: ). It has a long history of thousands of years in China for awakening the spleen, clearing the lungs, relieving alcohol.
AIM OF THE REVIEW
This review aims to report the up-to-date research progress in ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology, metabolism and therapeutic application of PF, so as to provide a strong basis for future clinical treatment and scientific research.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Relevant information on PF was collected from scientific literature databases including PubMed, CNKI and other literature sources (Ph.D. and M.Sc. dissertations and Chinese herbal classic books) by using the keyword "Puerariae".
RESULTS
Briefly, phytochemical research report has isolated 39 flavonoids, 19 saponins and 25 volatile oils from PF. Flavonoids and saponins are the most important bioactive compounds, and most of the quality control studies focus on these two types of compounds. Modern pharmacological studies have revealed their significant biological activities in relieving alcoholism, hepatoprotective, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidation, which provides theoretical support for the traditional use.
CONCLUSIONS
Comprehensive analysis showed that pharmacological activity of most purified compounds from PF had not been reported. Kakkalide, tectoridin and their deglycosylated metabolites (irisolidone and tectorigenin) has been focused on excessively due to their higher content and better activities. This leads to low development and resources waste. Interestingly, PF made a breakthrough in the field of food. Many kinds of fat-lowering foods such as PILLBOX Onaka have been popular in Japan market, which received extensive attention. Therefore, we suggest that future research can be paid attention on the development of the plant's function in the field of food and medicine, as well as the transformation from experimental to clinical.
Topics: Pueraria; Ethnopharmacology; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Flavonoids; Flowers; Saponins; Phytochemicals; Medicine, Chinese Traditional
PubMed: 36621660
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.116089 -
Phytotherapy Research : PTR Jul 2022Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has a high mortality rate and transmissibility. In... (Review)
Review
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has a high mortality rate and transmissibility. In this context, medicinal plants have attracted attention due to the wide availability and variety of therapeutic compounds, such as alkaloids, a vast class with several proven pharmacological effects, like the antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to summarize the current knowledge of the potential applicability of alkaloids for treating COVID-19. A systematic search was performed on PubMed and Scopus, from database inception to August 2021. Among the 63 eligible studies, 65.07% were in silico model, 20.63% in vitro and 14.28% clinical trials and observational studies. According to the in silico assessments, the alkaloids 10-hydroxyusambarensine, cryptospirolepine, crambescidin 826, deoxynortryptoquivaline, ergotamine, michellamine B, nigellidine, norboldine and quinadoline B showed higher binding energy with more than two target proteins. The remaining studies showed potential use of berberine, cephaeline, emetine, homoharringtonine, lycorine, narciclasine, quinine, papaverine and colchicine. The possible ability of alkaloids to inhibit protein targets and to reduce inflammatory markers show the potential for development of new treatment strategies against COVID-19. However, more high quality analyses/reviews in this field are necessary to firmly establish the effectiveness/safety of the alkaloids here described.
Topics: Alkaloids; Antiviral Agents; Humans; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 35355337
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7442 -
The Science of the Total Environment Dec 2022Growing demand for plastic and increasing plastic waste pollution have led to significant environmental challenges and concerns in today's world. Bioplastics offer... (Review)
Review
Growing demand for plastic and increasing plastic waste pollution have led to significant environmental challenges and concerns in today's world. Bioplastics offer exciting new opportunities and possibilities where biodegradable and bio-based plastics are expected to be more eco-friendly and rely on renewable resources. With all its promises, evaluating its real impact and fate on the geoenvironment is paramount for promoting bioplastic use. This paper presents a systematic literature review to understand current bioplastic-soil research and the effects of its residues on the geoenvironment. 632 studies related to bioplastic research in soil since 1973 were identified and categorized into different relevant topics. Publication trend showed bioplastic-soil research grew exponentially after 2010 wherein field studies accounted to 33.1 % of the total studies and only about 9.7 % studied the effects of bioplastic residues on the geoenvironment. Majority of the lab studies were on development and subsequent stability of bioplastics in soil. Short-term studies (in months) dominated the longer-term studies and studies over 4 years were almost non-existent. Lab and field experiments often gave inconsistent results with seasonal, climatic and bio-geographical factors strongly influencing the field results and bioplastic stability in soil. Most existing studies reported significant effects for microbioplastic concentrations at or above 1 % w/w. Bioplastic residues were found to substantially affect soil C/N ratio, impact soil microbial diversity by favouring certain microbial taxa and alter soil physical structure by influencing soil aggregates formation. At higher concentrations, plant health and germination success were also negatively affected. Conclusively, the review found it important to focus more on long-term field experiments to better understand the degree and extent of bioplastic residue impact on soil physico-chemical properties, mechanical properties, soil biology, soil-bioplastic-plant response, nutrients and toxicity. There are also very few studies investigating contaminant transport and migration of micro or nano-bioplastics in soil.
Topics: Soil; Plastics; Environmental Pollution
PubMed: 36037904
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158311 -
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2021Today, the occurrence and recurrence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis strains and comorbidities are the main reasons for long-term morbidity and mortality from...
BACKGROUND
Today, the occurrence and recurrence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis strains and comorbidities are the main reasons for long-term morbidity and mortality from tuberculosis from the nasty acid-fast pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Therefore, discovering and developing well-tolerated and non-toxic antituberculosis regimens are directly needed to defend the variants strains of M. tuberculosis and, alternatively, support WHO's 'END-TB' campaign.
OBJECTIVE
Alternatively, phytochemicals from various common and medicinal plants have always been vital therapeutic agents since the primitive era. Thus, proper scientific documentation as diversity, potency, structure, drug-chemistry and overall critical analysis are essential tools to accelerate the phytochemical-based anti-TB drug development.
METHODS
In the present review, we have used some specific keywords such as 'antituberculosis phytochemicals', &; antituberculosis phytochemicals from plant source&; 'natural products against tuberculosis' in Google, PubMed, ScienceDirect sites to get more appropriate research publications. Further, based on lower minimum inhibitory concentration within fifty μ g/mL, a total of twohundred- twenty-one bioactive anti-TB phytochemicals were selected for critical drug-chemistry and structural activity relationship analyses to select most potential 'lead candidate' for anti-TB drug development.
RESULTS
Based on lower concentration, abietane, ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate, ergosterol peroxide, mono-O-methyl curcumin isoxazole, 7-methyljuglone, 12-demethylmulticaulin, 12-methyl-5- dehydroacetylhorminone, tryptanthrin, etc. are some of the potential anti-TB phytochemicals. Interestingly, existing and clinical drug pipelines for TB contain several active phytochemical pharmacophores illustrated from the structural analysis.
CONCLUSION
Therefore, updated experimental documentation and structural-cum-critical drugchemistry analysis on isolated antituberculosis phytochemicals at the primary level are more beneficial for drug developers, R&D centres, and pharmaceutical companies to accelerate anti-TB drug development using phytochemicals.
Topics: Humans; Phytochemicals; Tuberculosis
PubMed: 34225624
DOI: 10.2174/1568026621666210705170510 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2023Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a class of natural drugs with multiple components and significant therapeutic effects through multiple targets. It also originates... (Review)
Review
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a class of natural drugs with multiple components and significant therapeutic effects through multiple targets. It also originates from a wide range of sources containing plants, animals and minerals, and among them, plant-based Chinese medicine also includes fungi. Fungal traditional Chinese medicine is a medicinal resource with a long history and widespread application in China. Accumulating evidence confirms that polysaccharide is the main pharmacodynamic material on which fungal TCM is based. The purpose of the current systematic review is to summarize the extraction, isolation, structural identification, biological functions, quality control and medicinal and edible applications of polysaccharides from fungal TCM in the past three years. This paper will supplement and deepen the understanding and application of polysaccharides from fungal TCM, and propose some valuable insights for further research and development of drugs and functional foods.
Topics: Animals; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Polysaccharides; Quality Control; China
PubMed: 37836659
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28196816 -
Contact Dermatitis Nov 2023Parthenium dermatitis is the commonest form of plant dermatitis in India, caused by the plant Parthenium hysterophorus. Systemic immunosuppressives are commonly employed... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Parthenium dermatitis is the commonest form of plant dermatitis in India, caused by the plant Parthenium hysterophorus. Systemic immunosuppressives are commonly employed in its treatment. However, there is a relative lack of comparative head-to-head trials. This study was done to assess the relative efficacy and safety of systemic treatments in Parthenium dermatitis. We systematically reviewed all the published studies investigating the safety and efficacy of systemic treatments for Parthenium dermatitis in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Embase, and clinical trial registries. Treatment benefit data were tabulated based on outcome measures of scoring systems. The quality of evidence for each outcome was assessed by Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria for meta-analysis. The pooled Standardized mean difference (SMD) for case series and comparative studies based on clinical severity score (CSS) for azathioprine was 4.007 (95% CI (Confidence interval): 3.141, 4.873) and 0.746 (95% CI: 0.139, 1.352), respectively. About 88.8% (95% CI: 76.8%, 100.8%, p = 0.076) of the patients had excellent or a good response to azathioprine. Our meta-analysis shows that azathioprine has the highest level of evidence in the treatment of Parthenium dermatitis.
Topics: Humans; Azathioprine; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Immunosuppressive Agents; Asteraceae; India
PubMed: 37634936
DOI: 10.1111/cod.14406 -
Environmental Research Oct 2023Synthetic pesticides (e.g. herbicides, fungicides and insecticides) are used widely in agriculture to protect crops from pests, weeds and disease. However, their use... (Review)
Review
Synthetic pesticides (e.g. herbicides, fungicides and insecticides) are used widely in agriculture to protect crops from pests, weeds and disease. However, their use also comes with a range of environmental concerns. One key concern is the effect of insecticides on non-target organisms such as bees, who provide pollination services for crops and wild plants. This systematic literature review quantifies the existing research on bees and insecticides broadly, and then focuses more specifically on non-neonicotinoid insecticides and non-honeybees. We find that articles on honeybees (Apis sp.) and insecticides account for 80% of all research, with all other bees combined making up 20%. Neonicotinoids were studied in 34% of articles across all bees and were the most widely studied insecticide class for non-honeybees overall, with almost three times as many studies than the second most studied class. Of non-neonicotinoid insecticide classes and non-honeybees, the most studied were pyrethroids and organophosphates followed by carbamates, and the most widely represented bee taxa were bumblebees (Bombus), followed by leaf-cutter bees (Megachile) and mason bees (Osmia). Research has taken place across several countries, with the highest numbers of articles from Brazil and the US, and with notable gaps from countries in Asia, Africa and Oceania. Mortality was the most studied effect type, while sub-lethal effects such as on behaviour were less studied. Few studies tested how the effect of insecticides were influenced by multiple pressures, such as climate change and co-occurring pesticides (cocktail effects). As anthropogenic pressures do not occur in isolation, we suggest that future research also addresses these knowledge gaps. Given the changing global patterns in insecticide use, and the increasing inclusion of both non-honeybees and sub-lethal effects in pesticide risk assessment, there is a need for expanding research beyond its current state to ensure a strong scientific evidence base for the development of risk assessment and associated policy.
Topics: Bees; Animals; Insecticides; Neonicotinoids; Pesticides; Pyrethrins; Fungicides, Industrial; Crops, Agricultural
PubMed: 37454798
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116612