Amide herbicides: Analysis of their environmental fate, combined plant-microorganism soil remediation scheme, and risk prevention and control strategies for sensitive populations.

In this study, we predicted the environmental fate of amide herbicides (AHs) using the EQC (EQuilibrium Criterion) model. We found that the soil phase is the main reservoir of AHs in the environment. Second, a toxicokinetic prediction indicated that butachlor have a low human health risk, while the alachlor, acetochlor, metolachlor, napropamide, and propanil are all uncertain. To address the environmental and human-health-related threats posed by AHs, 27 new proteins/enzymes that easily absorb, degrade, and mineralize AHs were designed. Compared with the target protein/enzyme, the comprehensive evaluation value of the new proteins/enzymes increased significantly: the absorption protein increased by 20.29-113.49%; the degradation enzyme increased by 151.26-425.22%; and the mineralization enzyme increased by 23.70-52.16%. Further experiments revealed that the remediating effect of 13 new proteins/enzymes could be significantly enhanced to facilitate their applicability under real environmental conditions. The hydrophobic interactions, van der Waals forces, and polar solvation are the key factors influencing plant-microorganism remediation. Finally, the simulations revealed that appropriate consumption of kiwifruit or simultaneous consumption of ginseng, carrot, and spinach, and avoiding the simultaneous consumption of maize and carrot/spinach are the most effective means reduce the risk of exhibiting AH-linked toxicity.

Pterocarpus mildbraedii leaf extract ebbs propanil-induced oxidative and apoptotic damage in the liver of rats.

Phytochemicals derived from plant sources are well recognized as sources of pharmacologically potent drugs in the treatment of several oxidative stress-related ailments. Dichloromethane/methanol (1:1) leaf extract of Pterocarpus mildbraedii was evaluated for its possible protection against oxidative stress and apoptosis in the liver of male Wistar rats exposed to propanil (PRP). In the experimental design, olive oil served as the vehicle, and rats were grouped into control (2 mL/kg olive oil), PRP (200 mg/kg/day), Pterocarpus mildbraedii extract (200 mg/kg/day), and Pterocarpus mildbraedii extract (200 mg/kg/day)+PRP (200 mg/kg/day), and treated daily, p.o., for seven days. Oxidative stress parameters, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl 2-associated X protein (Bax), p53, caspases (9/3), and terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays were observed in all groups. Propanil significantly elevated superoxide dismutase and lipid peroxidation levels, while concomitantly depleting GSH and p53 levels. Further, PRP enhanced the expressions of caspase-9, caspase-3, Bax, and TUNEL-positive cells in the liver of rats. However, these observed alterations were reversed following treatment with Pterocarpus mildbraedii extract. Our studies suggest that Pterocarpus mildbraedii extract protected against PRP toxicity by reducing oxidative stress and attenuating critical endpoints in the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

Pterocarpus mildbraedii (Harms) extract resolves propanil-induced hepatic injury via repression of inflammatory stress responses in Wistar rats.

Pterocarpus mildbraedii (PME) is a green leafy vegetable from the Papilionaceae family. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of PME in Wistar rats exposed to experimental hepatotoxicity using propanil (PRP), a post-emergent herbicide. Animals were grouped as control, PRP, PME, and PME + PRP. After 7 days, the levels of stress-activated protein kinases/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT-3) were measured in rat liver. Furthermore, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and nitric oxide (NO) levels, as well as protein expressions of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB p65), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) were determined. Compared with PRP-treated rats, PME significantly reduced the hepatic MPO and NO levels. PME also diminished NFκB, iNOS, and COX-2 protein expressions in PRP-treated rats. This study showed that Pterocarpus mildbraedii leaves produce active principles with relevant anti-inflammatory potential. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Previous studies have shown that bioactive principles contained in medicinal plants can offer protection against chemically induced inflammation. Pterocarpus mildbraedii leaves, with rich content of polyphenols, flavonoids, and essential fatty acids, could be exploited as a therapeutic agent against pesticide-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. This current study has also shown that the potential of PME as a functional food is boosted by the presence of α-linolenic acid, an omega-3-fatty acid known to possess anti-inflammatory activity. Here, we elucidated the cellular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory action of PME.

Novel lipophilic analogues from 2,4-D and Propanil herbicides: Biological activity and kinetic studies.

This work describes the synthesis of new lipophilic amides and esters analogues of classical organochlorides herbicides by incorporation of long-chains from fatty acids and derivatives. The new fatty esters and amides were synthesized in 96-99% and 80-89% yields, respectively. In general, all compounds tested showed superior in vitro activity than commercial herbicides against growth L. sativa and A. cepa, in ranges 86-100% of germinative inhibition. The target compounds showed, significantly more susceptible towards acid hydrolysis than 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The kinetic and NMR studies showed that the incorporation of lipophilic chains resulted in a decrease in half-life time of new herbicides compounds (1.5 h) than 2,4-D (3 h). These findings suggest the synthesis of new lipophilic herbicides as potential alternative to traditional formulations, by incorporation of long fatty alkyl chains in the molecular structure of 2,4-D, resulting in superior in vitro herbicidal activity, best degradation behavior and more hydrophobic derivatives.

Cytogenotoxic effect of propanil using the Lens culinaris Med and Allium cepa L test.

Propanil can produce methemoglobinemia, hemolytic anemia, hepatotoxicity, metabolic disorder and nephrotoxicity. It also has a genotoxic effect, although it is not listed as a carcinogen and it continues to be applied excessively throughout the world. Consequently, in this study the cytogenotoxic effect of propanil was evaluated, using apical root cells of Allium cepa and Lens culinaris. In which, L. culinaris seeds and A. cepa bulbs were subjected to 6 treatments with propanil (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 mg L-1) and to distilled water as control treatment. Subsequently, the root growth was measured every 24 h for 3 days. Next, the mitotic index and cellular anomalies were determined. Whereby, decreased root development was observed in all treatments. Likewise, greater inhibition of mitosis was evidenced in L. culinaris compared to A. cepa. In addition, chromosomal abnormalities, such as nucleus absence, sticky chromosomes in metaphase and binucleated cells, were present in most of the treatments. Thus, the presence of micronuclei and the results of L. culinaris, indicate the high cytogenotoxicity of propanil and the feasibility of this species as bioindicator.

Biochemical characterization of a key step involved in 2H4MB production in Decalepis hamiltonii.

Decalepis hamiltonii is widely known for its flavour molecule 2-Hydroxy-4-Methoxy Benzaldehyde (2H4MB), a structural isomer of vanillin. As the biosynthetic pathway of 2H4MB is not known, we hypothesised 2H4MB origins could be from phenylpropanoid pathway (PPP). Accordingly, a study was conducted using PPP inhibitors (viz. piperonylic acid, MDCA and propanil) against in vitro root cultures of D. hamiltonii to find the branch of PPP which catalyses the 2H4MB formation. HPLC analysis was carried out to quantify 2H4MB levels in control and respective inhibitor treated root cultures in vitro. The results obtained revealed that piperonylic acid did not inhibit 2H4MB biosynthesis in the given period, whereas MDCA and propanil had the marked inhibitory effect. The inhibitory effect was evident with 13.2, 33.6 and 37.9% decrease in 2H4MB levels at 50, 100 and 150mM concentration of MDCA respectively in comparison with control roots. Similarly, the inhibitory effect of propanil on 2H4MB biosynthesis was obvious with 23.7, 49.5 and 57.9% decrease in 2H4MB levels at 50, 100 and 150µM concentration of inhibitor respectively when compared with control roots. Propanil showed a greater slow down effect on 2H4MB biosynthesis compared to MDCA. Incorporation of 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0mM ferulic acid as a precursor to in vitro root cultures of D. hamiltonii showed an increase in 2H4MB levels at the rate of 3.1, 107 and 94.1% respectively as quantified by HPLC analysis. However, ferulic acid in conjunction with propanil did not show any increase in 2H4MB levels. This clearly explains that ferulic acid is channelled through the 4-CL (4-coumarate CoA ligase) enzyme, where it would be converted to feruloyl-CoA and could be further converted to 2H4MB in D. hamiltonii.

Propanil and swep inhibit 4-coumarate:CoA ligase activity in vitro.

4-Coumarate:CoA ligase (4CL, EC 6.2.1.12) in the phenylpropanoid pathway in plants has attracted interest as a novel target for developing effective plant growth inhibitors (PGIs). In a previous study in which the 4CL inhibitory activity of 28 existing herbicides was investigated using an optimized in vitro screening assay, 4CL activity was found to be strongly inhibited by propanil and swep at 100 microM. Here, further experimental evidence is provided to substantiate the previous result. Using 4-coumaric acid as substrate, tobacco 4CL activity was inhibited by propanil or swep in a concentration-dependent manner, with 50% inhibition concentrations (I(50)) of 39.6 and 6 microM respectively. These herbicides also exhibited uncompetitive inhibition towards 4-coumaric acid. Furthermore, 4CLs from several plant species were inhibited by the herbicides within a range from 1 to 50 microM. It is proposed that these herbicides have another site of action as a result of the inhibition of 4CL in the phenylpropanoid pathway, and this enzyme represents a new target site for the development of PGI.

Results of dental amalgam removal and mercury detoxification using DMPS and neural therapy.

Sixty consecutive patients who had undergone replacement of dental amalgam fillings and a protocol of nutritional support and heavy metal detoxification using dimercapto-propanyl-sulfate and neural therapy were surveyed. A questionnaire was mailed to the patients and 42 responded, resulting in a response rate of 70%. The reasons for undergoing treatment were many, ranging from a patient's desire to avoid potential health problems in the future to treatment of serious current disease. Although medical diagnoses were made when possible before treatment, this survey studied only the patients' estimations of their most distressing symptoms and their evaluations of response to treatment. The most common complaints were problems with memory and/or concentration; muscle and/or joint pain; anxiety and insomnia; stomach, bowel, and bladder complaints; depression; food or chemical sensitivities; numbness or tingling; and eye symptoms, in descending order of frequency. The most distressing symptoms were headache and backache, fatigue, and memory and concentration problems. Headache and backache responded best to treatment, but all symptoms showed considerable improvement on average. Of the respondents, 78% reported that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the results of treatment, and 9.5% reported that they were disappointed.

A Case of Pendipronil(R) Poisoning Treated by Hemoperfusion and Methylene Blue / 대한신장학회잡지

Pendipronil(R) overdose is uncommon in Korea. Pendipronil(R) is a selective herbicide used to control most annual grasses and certain broadleaf weeds in field corn, potatoes, rice, etc. and is the substance including pendimethalin and propanil. Pendimethalin is slightly to practically nontoxic by ingestion but may be mildly to moderately irritating to the linings of the mouth, nose, throat, and lungs. Propanil toxicity is evidenced by varying clinical pictures ranging from deep cyanosis in an otherwise alert normal appearing individual to restlessness, dyspnea, extensive hemolytic anemia, methemoglobinemia, sulfhemoglobinemia and serious central nervous system dysfunction. For the treatment of methemoglobinemia, gastric lavage, activated charcoal, methylene blue and exchange transfusion should be used. We experienced a case of acute massive Pendipronil(R) intoxication in 31 years old woman due to voluntary ingestion of 48g of this drug as a suicide attempt. A moderate methemoglobinemia developed, accompanied by drowsy mental status, nausea, vomiting, headache, intensive cyanosis. The patient recovered completely after intravenous methylene blue injection and cellulose coated hemoperfusion charcoal (Adsorba 300C(R)) and conservative treatment.