Bacillus cereus AR156-induced resistance to Colletotrichum acutatum is associated with priming of defense responses in loquat fruit.

The effectiveness of a biocontrol agent Bacillus cereus AR156 for control of anthracnose rot caused by Colletotrichum acutatum in harvested loquat fruit and the possible mechanisms of its action have been investigated. Treatment of fruit with B. cereus AR156 resulted in lower disease incidence and smaller lesion diameters compared with that of untreated fruit. The treatment enhanced activities of defense-related enzymes including chitinase, ß-1, 3-glucanase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase, and promoted accumulation of H2O2. Total phenolic content and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity were also increased by treatment. Transcripts of three defense-related genes were enhanced only in fruit undergoing both B. cereus AR156 treatment and C. acutatum inoculation compared with those receiving either intervention alone. These results suggest that the disease resistance against C. acutatum in loquat fruit is enhanced by B. cereus AR156 and that the induced resistance is associated with induction and priming of defense responses in the fruit.

Effect of leaves of Eriobotrya japonica on anaphylactic allergic reaction and production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Leaves of Eriobotrya japonica Lindl. (Rosaceae) (LEJL) have been used as traditional medicines for inflammatory diseases and chronic bronchitis. However, its effect on mast cell-mediated anaphylactic reaction is not known. The anaphylactic allergic reaction is involved in many allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. In this report, we investigate the effect of LEJL on the anaphylactic allergic reaction and studied its possible mechanisms of action. LEJL inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic reactions and serum histamine release in mice. LEJL dose-dependently decreased the IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and histamine release from mast cells. Furthermore, LEJL decreased the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and A23187-stimulated human mast cells. These findings provide evidence that LEJL could be a candidate as an anti-allergic agent.