Objective:To investigate the larvicidal activity of synthesized silver nanoparticles（Ag NPs） utilizing aqueous bark extract of Ficus racemosa（F.racemosa） was tested against fourth instar larvae of filariasis vecto...Objective:To investigate the larvicidal activity of synthesized silver nanoparticles（Ag NPs） utilizing aqueous bark extract of Ficus racemosa（F.racemosa） was tested against fourth instar larvae of filariasis vector,Culex quinquefasciatus（Cx.quinquefasciatus） and japanese encephalitis vectors,Culex gelidus（Cx.gelidus）.Methods:The synthesized Ag NPs was characterized by UV-vis spectrum,X-ray diffraction（XRD）,Scanning electron microscopy（SEM） and Fourier transform infrared（FTIR）.The larvicidal activities were assessed for 24 h against the larvae of Cx.quinquefasciatus and Cx.gelidus with varying concentrations of aqueous bark extract off.racemosa and synthesized Ag NPs.LC<sub>50</sub> and r<sup>2</sup> values were calculated.Results:The maximum efficacy was observed in crude aqueous extract of F.racemosa against the larvae of Cx.quinquefasciatus and Cx.gelidus(LC<sub>50</sub>=67.72 and 63.70 mg/L;r<sup>2</sup>=0.995 and 0.985) and the synthesized Ag NPs(LC<sub>50</sub>=12.00 and 11.21 mg/L;r<sup>2</sup>=0.997 and 0.990).respectively.Synthesized Ag NPs showed the XRD peaks at 2θvalues of 27.61,29.60,35.48,43.48 and 79.68 were identified as （210）,（121）,（220）,（200） and（311） reflections,respectively.The FTIR spectra of Ag NPs exhibited prominent peaks at 3 425,2 878,1 627 and 1 382 in the region 500-3 000 cm<sup>-1</sup>.The peaks correspond to the presence of a stretching vibration of（NH） C=O group.SEM analysis showed shape in cylindrical,uniform and rod with the average size of 250.60 nm.Conclusions:The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using bark aqueous extract of F.racemosa and its larvicidal activity against the larvae of disease spreading vectors.The maximum larvicidal efficacy was observed in the synthesized Ag NPs.展开更多
Objective:To establish the wound healing activity of aqueous and ethanolic extract of roots of Ficus racemosa(F.racemosa).Methods:Two models were performed to evaluate the wound healing activity Le.incision and excisi...Objective:To establish the wound healing activity of aqueous and ethanolic extract of roots of Ficus racemosa(F.racemosa).Methods:Two models were performed to evaluate the wound healing activity Le.incision and excision models.In incision model the purameler which was carried out was breaking strength of wounded skin.In excision model percentage wound contraction and period of epithelialization were established for both the extracts.Reference standard drug was povidone iodine ointment for comparison with other groups.Results:From the observation in both two models,aqueous extract of F.racemosa was found to have greater wound healing activity in terms of breaking strength in incision model and percentage wound contraction,period of epithelialization in excision model than that of other groups.Conclusions: In conclusion,our findings suggest that aqueous extract of F.racemosa possesses better wound healing ability than the ethanolic extract.展开更多
Objective To evaluate male antifertility activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Ficus racemosa bark. Methods Swiss male mice were orally administered hydroalcoholic extract of Ficus racemosa bark （50 mg/kg for 30 d an...Objective To evaluate male antifertility activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Ficus racemosa bark. Methods Swiss male mice were orally administered hydroalcoholic extract of Ficus racemosa bark （50 mg/kg for 30 d and 100 mg/kg body weight for next 30 d）, and the effect of the treatment on body weight, reproductive organs weight, sperm, biochemical profile （sialic acid in epididymis and fructose in seminal vesicle）, fertility and vaginal contraceptive efficacy was investigated. Recovery studies were also performed. Results Extract reduced fertility to 70% within 60 d. Suppression of cauda epididymis sperm count, motility, viability and abnormal morphology was observed. Marked reduction was noted in the weight of reproductive organs and the level of sialic acid in epididymis and fructose in seminal vesicle. Vaginal application of bark extract exhibited 80% vaginal contraceptive efficacy. After cessation of plant extract treatment, the altered parameters recovered after 60 d. Conclusion Clinical assessment of male antifertility agents should include acceptability, safety and efficacy during and after the treatment. The above results revealed the potential, reversible male antifertility effect of hydroalcoholic extract F. racemosa bark.展开更多
Abstract: What the real trade-off is among fig-supported wasps and the viable seeds of figs is heatedly debated in the studies of fig/fig wasp mutualism. In the present study, we collected wasp offspring (galls) and t...Abstract: What the real trade-off is among fig-supported wasps and the viable seeds of figs is heatedly debated in the studies of fig/fig wasp mutualism. In the present study, we collected wasp offspring (galls) and the viable seeds of premature fruits, and determined the foundress number in receptive fruits and all the types of wasps supported by Ficus racemosa L. during both the rainy and dry seasons in Xishuangbanna, China. The data show that the galls were positively correlated with viable seeds (n= 32; r= 0.74; P < 0.001) when the proportion of vacant female flowers (PVFF) was high, in April (68.0%), and were negatively correlated with viable seeds (n= 48; r=?0.59; P < 0.05) when PVFF were limited (PVFF = 42.6%) during a colder month (January). The mean foundress number per fruit during the colder months is significantly lower than during the warmer months (F5, 603= 27.9; P < 0.001) and pollinator wasps can live longer during the colder months. During the colder months, the proportions of non-pollinators and wasp offspring are higher than those found during other months, whereas the proportion of viable seeds is not different compared with that of other months. Non-pollinator wasps tend to oviposit the female flowers that have been oviposited by pollinator wasps. The non-pollinators only negatively affect pollinator wasps and there is no obvious negative effect of non-pollinator wasps on viable seeds, so ovipositing by non-pollinator wasps will not result in the extinction of the figs during the process of evolution. The results of the present study indicate that figs can allow less foundresses to be in fruit cavities when PVFF are limited, which provides supporting evidence for the previous assumption that the plants have developed a mechanism to maintain a stable system because of the conflicts between the parties involved.展开更多
Abstract: Habitat fragmentation usually results in alteration of species composition or biological communities. However, little is known about the effect of habitat fragmentation on the fig/fig wasp system. In this st...Abstract: Habitat fragmentation usually results in alteration of species composition or biological communities. However, little is known about the effect of habitat fragmentation on the fig/fig wasp system. In this study, we compared the structure of a fig wasp community and the interaction between figs and fig wasps of Ficus racemosa L. in a primary forest, a locally fragmented forest and a highly fragmented forest. Our results show that, in the highly fragmented forest, the proportion of pollinator wasps is lower and the proportion of non-pollinator wasps is higher compared with the primary forest and locally fragmented forest. The proportion of fruits without pollinator wasps in mature fruits is also greatly increased in the highly fragmented forest. The proportion of galls in all female flowers increases in the highly fragmented forest, whereas the proportion of viable seeds does not change considerably. The disruption of groups of fig trees results in a decrease in pollinator wasps and even might result in the extinction of pollinator wasps in some extreme cases, which may transform the reciprocal interaction between figs and fig wasps into a parasite/host system. Such an effect may lead to the local extinction of this keystone plant resource of rain forests in the process of evolution, and thereby, may change the structure and function of the tropical rain forest.展开更多
文摘Objective:To investigate the larvicidal activity of synthesized silver nanoparticles（Ag NPs） utilizing aqueous bark extract of Ficus racemosa（F.racemosa） was tested against fourth instar larvae of filariasis vector,Culex quinquefasciatus（Cx.quinquefasciatus） and japanese encephalitis vectors,Culex gelidus（Cx.gelidus）.Methods:The synthesized Ag NPs was characterized by UV-vis spectrum,X-ray diffraction（XRD）,Scanning electron microscopy（SEM） and Fourier transform infrared（FTIR）.The larvicidal activities were assessed for 24 h against the larvae of Cx.quinquefasciatus and Cx.gelidus with varying concentrations of aqueous bark extract off.racemosa and synthesized Ag NPs.LC<sub>50</sub> and r<sup>2</sup> values were calculated.Results:The maximum efficacy was observed in crude aqueous extract of F.racemosa against the larvae of Cx.quinquefasciatus and Cx.gelidus(LC<sub>50</sub>=67.72 and 63.70 mg/L;r<sup>2</sup>=0.995 and 0.985) and the synthesized Ag NPs(LC<sub>50</sub>=12.00 and 11.21 mg/L;r<sup>2</sup>=0.997 and 0.990).respectively.Synthesized Ag NPs showed the XRD peaks at 2θvalues of 27.61,29.60,35.48,43.48 and 79.68 were identified as （210）,（121）,（220）,（200） and（311） reflections,respectively.The FTIR spectra of Ag NPs exhibited prominent peaks at 3 425,2 878,1 627 and 1 382 in the region 500-3 000 cm<sup>-1</sup>.The peaks correspond to the presence of a stretching vibration of（NH） C=O group.SEM analysis showed shape in cylindrical,uniform and rod with the average size of 250.60 nm.Conclusions:The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using bark aqueous extract of F.racemosa and its larvicidal activity against the larvae of disease spreading vectors.The maximum larvicidal efficacy was observed in the synthesized Ag NPs.
基金financially supported by Vidyabharti Trust College of Pharmacy,Surat,India(grant No.VBT/IAEC/11/05/45)
文摘Objective:To establish the wound healing activity of aqueous and ethanolic extract of roots of Ficus racemosa(F.racemosa).Methods:Two models were performed to evaluate the wound healing activity Le.incision and excision models.In incision model the purameler which was carried out was breaking strength of wounded skin.In excision model percentage wound contraction and period of epithelialization were established for both the extracts.Reference standard drug was povidone iodine ointment for comparison with other groups.Results:From the observation in both two models,aqueous extract of F.racemosa was found to have greater wound healing activity in terms of breaking strength in incision model and percentage wound contraction,period of epithelialization in excision model than that of other groups.Conclusions: In conclusion,our findings suggest that aqueous extract of F.racemosa possesses better wound healing ability than the ethanolic extract.
基金Funding by the University Grant Commission, New Delhi, India in the form of Post Doctorate fellowship is duly acknowledged
文摘Objective To evaluate male antifertility activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Ficus racemosa bark. Methods Swiss male mice were orally administered hydroalcoholic extract of Ficus racemosa bark （50 mg/kg for 30 d and 100 mg/kg body weight for next 30 d）, and the effect of the treatment on body weight, reproductive organs weight, sperm, biochemical profile （sialic acid in epididymis and fructose in seminal vesicle）, fertility and vaginal contraceptive efficacy was investigated. Recovery studies were also performed. Results Extract reduced fertility to 70% within 60 d. Suppression of cauda epididymis sperm count, motility, viability and abnormal morphology was observed. Marked reduction was noted in the weight of reproductive organs and the level of sialic acid in epididymis and fructose in seminal vesicle. Vaginal application of bark extract exhibited 80% vaginal contraceptive efficacy. After cessation of plant extract treatment, the altered parameters recovered after 60 d. Conclusion Clinical assessment of male antifertility agents should include acceptability, safety and efficacy during and after the treatment. The above results revealed the potential, reversible male antifertility effect of hydroalcoholic extract F. racemosa bark.
文摘Abstract: What the real trade-off is among fig-supported wasps and the viable seeds of figs is heatedly debated in the studies of fig/fig wasp mutualism. In the present study, we collected wasp offspring (galls) and the viable seeds of premature fruits, and determined the foundress number in receptive fruits and all the types of wasps supported by Ficus racemosa L. during both the rainy and dry seasons in Xishuangbanna, China. The data show that the galls were positively correlated with viable seeds (n= 32; r= 0.74; P < 0.001) when the proportion of vacant female flowers (PVFF) was high, in April (68.0%), and were negatively correlated with viable seeds (n= 48; r=?0.59; P < 0.05) when PVFF were limited (PVFF = 42.6%) during a colder month (January). The mean foundress number per fruit during the colder months is significantly lower than during the warmer months (F5, 603= 27.9; P < 0.001) and pollinator wasps can live longer during the colder months. During the colder months, the proportions of non-pollinators and wasp offspring are higher than those found during other months, whereas the proportion of viable seeds is not different compared with that of other months. Non-pollinator wasps tend to oviposit the female flowers that have been oviposited by pollinator wasps. The non-pollinators only negatively affect pollinator wasps and there is no obvious negative effect of non-pollinator wasps on viable seeds, so ovipositing by non-pollinator wasps will not result in the extinction of the figs during the process of evolution. The results of the present study indicate that figs can allow less foundresses to be in fruit cavities when PVFF are limited, which provides supporting evidence for the previous assumption that the plants have developed a mechanism to maintain a stable system because of the conflicts between the parties involved.
文摘Abstract: Habitat fragmentation usually results in alteration of species composition or biological communities. However, little is known about the effect of habitat fragmentation on the fig/fig wasp system. In this study, we compared the structure of a fig wasp community and the interaction between figs and fig wasps of Ficus racemosa L. in a primary forest, a locally fragmented forest and a highly fragmented forest. Our results show that, in the highly fragmented forest, the proportion of pollinator wasps is lower and the proportion of non-pollinator wasps is higher compared with the primary forest and locally fragmented forest. The proportion of fruits without pollinator wasps in mature fruits is also greatly increased in the highly fragmented forest. The proportion of galls in all female flowers increases in the highly fragmented forest, whereas the proportion of viable seeds does not change considerably. The disruption of groups of fig trees results in a decrease in pollinator wasps and even might result in the extinction of pollinator wasps in some extreme cases, which may transform the reciprocal interaction between figs and fig wasps into a parasite/host system. Such an effect may lead to the local extinction of this keystone plant resource of rain forests in the process of evolution, and thereby, may change the structure and function of the tropical rain forest.
