Viral Infection Induces Changes to the Metabolome, Immune Response and Development of a Generalist Insect Herbivore.

Host plant consumption and pathogen infection commonly influence insect traits related to development and immunity, which are ultimately reflected in the behavior and physiology of the insect. Herein, we explored changes in the metabolome of a generalist insect herbivore, Vanessa cardui (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), in response to both dietary variation and pathogen infection in order to gain insight into tritrophic interactions for insect metabolism and immunity. Caterpillars were reared on two different host plants, Plantago lanceolata (Plantaginaceae) and Taraxacum officinale (Asteraceae) and subjected to a viral infection by Junonia coenia densovirus (JcDV), along with assays to determine the insect immune response and development. Richness and diversity of plant and caterpillar metabolites were evaluated using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry approach and showed that viral infection induced changes to the chemical content of V. cardui hemolymph and frass dependent upon host plant consumption. Overall, the immune response as measured by phenoloxidase (PO) enzymatic activity was higher in individuals feeding on P. lanceolata compared with those feeding on T. officinale. Additionally, infection with JcDV caused suppression of PO activity, which was not host plant dependent. We conclude that viral infection combined with host plant consumption creates a unique chemical environment, particularly within the insect hemolymph. Whether and how these metabolites contribute to defense against viral infection is an open question in chemical ecology.

Effects of replacing of alfalfa hay with Plantago lanceolata hay on digestibility, methane production and microbial protein production of total mixed diet.

The aim of current experiment was to determine the effect of replacement of alfalfa hay with ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) hay in ruminant diets on the fermentation parameters such as gas production, methane (CH4) production, true digestible dry matter (TDDM), true digestibility (TD), partitioning factor, microbial protein, and efficiency of microbial protein using in vitro gas production technique. The alfalfa hay was replaced with P. lanceolata hay in a diets isocaloric (2650 kcal/kg DM) and nitrogenic (17% CP kg DM) at the ratio of 0, 5, 10 and 15%. Partial substitution of alfalfa hay with P. lanceolata hay had no significant effect on gas and methane (ml/incubated substrate or %) production whereas the partial substitution had a significant effect on TDDM, TD, gas (ml/digested DM), CH4 (ml ml/digested DM) and microbial MP of diets. The replacement of alfalfa hay with ribwort plantain hay shifted the fermentation pattern from gas and methane production to microbial protein production. Therefore alfalfa hay can be replaced with ribwort plantain hay with high digestibility and anti-methanogenic potential in ruminant diets up to 15% to decrease methane production and improve microbial protein production. However further in vivo experiments are required to determine the effect of replacement on feed intake and animal production.

The seeds of Plantago lanceolata comprise a stable core microbiome along a plant richness gradient.

BACKGROUND: Seed endophytic bacteria are beneficial to plants. They improve seedling growth by enhancing plant nutrient uptake, modulating stress-related phytohormone production, and targeting pests and pathogens with antibiotics. Seed endophyte composition can be influenced by pollination, plant cultivar, and soil physicochemical conditions. However, the effects of plant community richness on seed endophytes are unknown. To investigate the effects of increasing plant species richness on the diversity and composition of the seed microbiome, we made use of a well-established long-term biodiversity experiment in Germany (The Jena Experiment). We sampled seeds from different Plantago lanceolata blossoms in a plant diversity gradient ranging from monoculture to 16 species mixtures. The seeds were surface sterilized to remove seed surface-associated bacteria and subjected to a metabarcoding approach to assess bacterial community structure. RESULTS: Our data indicate a very stable core microbiome, which accounted for more than 90% of the reads and was present in all seeds independent of the plant richness level the seeds originated from. It consisted mainly of reads linked to Pseudomonas rhizosphaerae, Sphingomonas faeni and Pirellulla spp. 9% of the obtained reads were not part of the core microbiome and were only present in plots of specific diversity levels. The number of unique ASVs was positively correlated with plant richness. Interestingly, most reads described as non-core members belonged to the same genera described as the core microbiome, indicating the presence of different strains or species with possibly different functional properties important for seed performance. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that Plantago lanceolata maintains a large seeds core microbiome across the plant richness gradient. However, the number of unique ASVs increases alongside the plant community richness, indicating that ecosystem biodiversity also mitigates diversity loss in seed endophytes.

Host plant-mediation of viral transmission and its consequences for a native butterfly.

Pathogens play a key role in insect population dynamics, contributing to short-term fluctuations in abundance as well as long-term demographic trends. Two key factors that influence the effects of entomopathogens on herbivorous insect populations are modes of pathogen transmission and larval host plants. In this study, we examined tritrophic interactions between a sequestering specialist lepidopteran, Euphydryas phaeton, and a viral pathogen, Junonia coenia densovirus, on its native host plant, Chelone glabra, and a novel host plant, Plantago lanceolata, to explore whether host plant mediates viral transmission, survival, and viral loads. A two-factor factorial experiment was conducted in the laboratory with natal larval clusters randomly assigned to either the native or novel host plant and crossed with either uninoculated controls or viral inoculation (20% of individuals in the cluster inoculated). Diapausing clusters were overwintered in the laboratory and checked weekly for mortality. At the end of diapause, all surviving individuals were reared to adulthood to estimate survivorship. All individuals were screened to quantify viral loads, and estimate horizontal transmission postmortem. To test for vertical transmission, adults were mated, and the progeny were screened for viral presence. Within virus-treated groups, we found evidence for both horizontal and vertical transmission. Larval clusters reared on the native host plant had slightly higher horizontal transmission. Survival probability was lower in clusters feeding on the native host plant, with inoculated groups reared on the native host plant experiencing complete mortality. Viral loads did not differ by the host plant, although viral loads decreased with increased sequestration of secondary compounds on both host plants. Our results indicate that the use of a novel host plant may confer fitness benefits in terms of survival and reduced viral transmission when larvae feeding on it are infected with this pathogen, supporting hypotheses of potential evolutionary advantages of a host range expansion in the context of tritrophic interactions.

Efficacy and tolerability of SEDIFLÙ in treating dry or productive cough in the pediatric population (SEPEDIA): A pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial.

The aim of this trial was to assess the effectiveness of Sediflù, a medical device containing active herbal ingredients, on nocturnal and diurnal persistent coughs in children, with a duration of 3 to 7 days. Children with a dry and/or productive cough were enrolled in this prospective, interventional, multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical study. Clinical efficacy was assessed through the evaluation of the soothing action of Sediflù against dry and/or productive coughing, both at night and during the day, and other effects of coughing associated with quality of sleep: frequency, child's quality of sleep, parental quality of sleep and severity. Treatment with Sediflù improved both night-time and day-time cough scores from day 2. The diurnal score also improved significantly in the Sediflù group at days 3 and 7. Sediflù syrup can be considered a valid treatment for cough management in younger children with upper respiratory tract infections, shortening the cough duration.

Evaluation of two Brazilian indigenous plants for phytostabilization and phytoremediation of copper-contaminated soils / Avaliação de duas plantas nativas brasileiras para fitoestabilização e fitorremediação de solos contaminados com cobre

Abstract Indigenous plants have been grown naturally and vigorously in copper contaminated soils. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the phytoremediation ability of two indigenous plants naturally grown in two vineyard soils copper contaminated, and in a copper mining waste. However, it was evaluated the macro and micronutrient uptake and the potential of phytoremediation. So, a greenhouse study was carried out with Bidens pilosa and Plantago lanceolata in samples of vineyard soils (Inceptisol and Mollisol) copper contaminated, and in a copper mining waste. Plant growth, macro and micronutrient up take, tolerance index (TI), translocation factor (TF), metal extraction ratio (MER), bioaccumulation factor (BCF), plant effective number of the shoots (PENs), and plant effective number of the total plant (PENt) were analyzed. Both plants grown in vineyard soils showed high phytomass production and TI. P. lanceolata plants cultivated in the Inceptisol showed the highest copper concentrations in the shoots (142 mg kg–1), roots (964 mg kg–1) and entire plants (1,106 mg kg–1). High levels of copper were phytoaccumulated from the Inceptisol by B. pilosa and P. lanceolata with 3,500 and 2,200 g ha–1 respectively. Both B. pilosa and P. lanceolata plants showed characteristics of high copper hyperaccumulator. Results showed that both species play an important role in the natural copper phytoaccumulation in both vineyard soils contaminated with copper, being important to its phytoremediation.

Resumo Plantas nativas crescem naturalmente e vigorosamente em solos contaminados com cobre. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a capacidade de fitorremediação de duas plantas nativas, naturalmente encontradas em dois solos de vitivinicultura contaminados com cobre, e em rejeito de mineração de cobre. Foram avaliados os teores de macro e micronutrientes nos tecidos das plantas, e o potencial de fitorremediação. Assim, um estudo em casa de vegetação foi realizado com plantas de Bidens pilosa e Plantago lanceolata, com amostras de dois solos de vitivinicultura (Neossolos e Cambissolos) contaminados com cobre, e com rejeito de mineração de cobre. O crescimento das plantas, teores de macro e micronutrientes nos tecidos, índice de tolerância (TI), fator de translocação (TF), taxa de extração do metal (MER), fator de bioacumulação (BCF), número efetivo dos plantas da parte aérea (PENs) e número efetivo de plantas inteiras (PENt) foram analisados. Ambas as espécies cultivadas em solos vitivinicultura mostraram elevada produção de fitomassa e os TI. P. lanceolata cultivadas no Neossolo mostraram as concentrações de cobre mais elevados na parte aérea (142 mg kg–1), nas raízes (964 mg kg–1) e nas plantas inteiras (1.106 mg kg–1). Altos níveis de cobre foram fitoacumulados pelas plantas B. pilosa e P. lanceolata com 3.500 e 2.200 g ha–1, respectivamente, quando cultivadas em Neossolo. Ambas as espécies apresentaram características hiperacumuladoras de cobre. Os resultados mostraram que estas espécies desempenham um papel importante na fitoacumulação de cobre naturalmente em ambos os solos de vitivinicultura contaminados com cobre, sendo importantes para a fitorremediação.

Plant Extracts as an Alternative to Control Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)

We evaluated the effects of crude extracts from the plantain Plantago lanceolata and the bitter gourd Momordica charantia on the oviposition preference and development of the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella Guérin-Mèneville & Perrottet under laboratory and/or greenhouse conditions. The ovicidal effects of these extracts were also studied in a greenhouse. Plantago lanceolata and M. charantia extracts also underwent fractionation directed by oviposition tests with the coffee leaf miner. The extracts of both plants reduced L. coffeella oviposition and egg hatching, apparently as a result of action of plant metabolites on the embryo. Adults originating from eggs treated with the extracts exhibited similar survival rates, but a higher female/male ratio. Fecundity was reduced for females obtained from eggs treated with the M. charantia extract. Partial chemical analysis indicated that both extracts produced polar fractions that reduced the oviposition of L. coffeella on coffee leaves under laboratory conditions. The extracts of P. lanceolata and M. charantia have potential for use in the development of new products to control the coffee leaf miner.

Efecto antiulceroso del extracto hidroalcohólico de Plantago lanceolata (llantén menor) sobre la úlcera gástrica inducida en ratas / Anti-ulcer effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Plantago lanceolata (plantain minor) on gastric ulcer induced in rats

Objetivo: Determinar el efecto antiulceroso del extracto hidroalcohólico de Plantago lanceolata L. (llantén menor) en animales de experimentación. Metodología: Es un estudio de tipo experimental, en donde se indujo las úlceras gástricas con indometacina a dosis única de 80 mg/kg vía subcutanea. Se realizó el análisis fitoquímico cualitativo para la determinación de metabolitos secundarios. Para la determinación del efecto antiulceroso se formaron 06 grupos: grupo control solución salina fisiológica a 4 mL/kg, grupo indometacina (I), y cuatro grupos experimentales indometacina más extracto a 200 y 400 mg/kg, omeprazol a 20 mg/kg y ranitidina a 100 mg/kg respectivamente. Se administraron los extractos y medicamentos estándar a las 24, 12 y una hora antes de la inducción de la úlcera gástrica. Se realizó el examen macroscópico y microscópico de las mucosas gástricas de todas las ratas determinándose el porcentaje de inhibición antiulceroso. Resultados: El extracto hidroalcohólico a la dosis de 200 y 400 mg/kg presentó efecto antiulceroso en los indicadores evaluados de hiperemia, edema, úlcera y hemorragias siendo estadísticamente significativos y un porcentaje de inhibición de 83,1 % y 98,9 % respectivamente en comparación al omeprazol (67,4 %) y Ranitidina (44,9 %). A nivel microscópico no se evidenciaron alteraciones histológicas significativas. Conclusiones: El extracto hidroalcohólico de Plantago lanceolata L. (llantén menor) presenta flavonoides, compuestos fenólicos, alcaloides, triterpenos y/o esteroides y presentó efecto antiulceroso a las dosis evaluadas en el modelo empleado sin signos de toxicidad aguda.

Efecto terapéutico en el tratamiento del Acné Vulgar usando principios activos de MELISSA OFFICINALIS L. y PLANTAGO LANCEOLATA / Therapeutic effect in the treatment of Acne Vulgaris using active principies MELISSA OFFICINALIS L. and PLANTAGO LANCEOLATA

El acné es una inflamación crónica de la unidad pilosebácea que compromete regiones del cuerpo como el rostro, cuello, hombros y parte del tronco superior y es una causa de consulta que afecta comúnmente a personas entre los 15 a 25 años de edad. El siguiente estudio pretende medir los efectos terapéuticos que existen en el tratamiento del acné vulgar usando los principios activos de las plantas MEUSSA OFFICINALIS L y PLANTAGO LANCEOLATA. Es un ensayo clínico a doble ciego controlado paralelo con una muestra de 20 pacientes voluntarios, el tipo de muestreo fue por conveniencia. Los escenarios del estudio fueron: el laboratorio de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Mayor de San Simón donde se realizó el procedimiento de extracción de los principios activos y hogares de los participantes donde se les entregó el tratamiento y se realizaron los controles. Fueron 20 pacientes voluntarios de los cuales 4 abandonaron el tratamiento y se continuó con 11 pacientes mujeres y 5 varones. Los resultados muestran que el grupo tratado con principios activos tuvo un promedio de 5 a 8 días siendo más breve en comparación del grupo control, ningún paciente presentó reacciones adversas al tratamiento y el sexo que tuvo mejores resultados con el tratamiento fue el masculino. Podemos concluir que el uso de los principios activos de plantas naturales para tratar el acné vulgar presenta diferentes grados de eficacia, siendo relevante el tiempo y las concentraciones de los principios activos.

Acne is a chronic inflammation of the pilosebaceous unit that engages regions of the body like the face, neck, shoulders and upper trunk and is a cause of consultation that commonly affects people between 15 to 25 years old. The next study aims to measure the therapeutic effects that exist in the treatment of acne vulgaris using the active ingredients of plants MELISSA OFFICINAUS L y PLANTAGO LANCEOLATA It's a clinical trial double blind parallel controlled with a sample of 20 patient volunteers, the type of sampling was convenience.The stages of the study were: the laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad Mayor of San Simón where took place the procedure for extraction of active principies and homes of participants where they were handed treatment and carried out the checks.They were 20 volunteer patients, of whom 4 abandoned treatment and continued with 5 men and 11 women patients. The results show that the group treated with active ingredients had an average of 5 to 8 days still shorter compared to the control group, no patient presented adverse reactions to treatment and sex that had better results with treatment was the male.We can conclude that the use of the active principies of natural plants to treat acné vulgaris has different degrees of effectiveness, still relevant time and the concentrations of the active ingredients.