Aims: Piper nigrum L. (black pepper) is an economically important commodity plant in Malaysia, which generated RM 200.95 million from pepper export in the year of 2018. However, the increase in pepper production is restricted by diseases. Fusarium wilt is one of the major diseases of P. nigrum L. The objectives for this study were to isolate Fusarium spp. associated with Fusarium wilt of P. nigrum L. from selected pepper farms in the northwestern region of Sarawak and to characterize the Fusarium spp. isolated morphologically and molecularly. Methodology and results: Fusarium spp. were isolated from diseased root samples. The pathogen was grown on potato dextrose agar (PDA) under dark condition at circa (ca.) 25 °C for morphological characterisation. Molecular characterisation was done by using internal transcribed spacer (ITS). Phylogenetic tree was constructed to study the genetic relationship of the isolates. Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum, F. proliferatum were the three Fusarium species identified. There were variations in morphological characters observed between and among the species, including the colony form, margin, elevation, surface appearance and pigmentation. No distinctive morphological characteristic was specific to a location. In addition, growth rate, macroconidia sporulation rate, and microconidia sporulation rate of the isolates were not correlated. In molecular phylogeny, the three Fusarium species were separated into three distinct clades representing the three identified species. The genetic relatedness between isolates within each species was depicted in the tree. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Variations were observed among isolates in this study based on morphological and molecular characterization. This study would contribute information on the variations of Fusarium spp. associated with Fusarium wilt of P. nigrum L. from the northwestern region of Sarawak.
Fusarium ; Fusariosis ; Piper nigrum

OBJECTIVE: The aqueous and pelletized admixture of Piper nigrum L. was evaluated for its oviposition response and larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

METHODS: The aqueous and pelletized extract of Piper nigrum L. was prepared and first tested in the laboratory. Efficiency is evaluated using the mosquito-chamber test. A small-scale field test was also done to determine the oviposition response of the pepper extract to ovicidal-larvicidal (OL) traps. Larvicidal bioassay following the WHO standard protocols with slight modification at different concentrations was performed.

RESULTS: Results of the mosquito chamber test in the laboratory showed that the aqueous solution exhibited an increasing rate of oviposition attraction of female Aedes aegypti to increasing rate of concentration with an average of 70% attraction at 1000 ppm as compared to 30% attraction to OL traps with water alone. The aqueous pepper-based solution and pelletized pepper solution at 1000 and 2000 ppm are considered attractants to Aedes mosquitoes. Both solutions have oviposition activity index (OAI) of > +0.3. It was also field tested on the 10 buildings within the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) compound. Results showed an oviposition ratio two times better in both the 1000 ppm concentration of the aqueous pepper-based solution and pelletized pepper solution as compared to the control. The positive ovitrap index was in the range of 78%-84% for both the aqueous pepper-based and pelletized pepper against water which is 70.0%. Larvicidal activity of the aqueous pepper-based solution against 3rd larval instars of Aedes aegypti at increasing dosages from 75mg/1 to 600 mg/I had an LCso of 127 mg/I and 395 mg/I for LC90 The LCso for the solution with pelletized pepper at the same dosing concentration is 117 mg/I with LC90 of 285 mg/1. The results also showed that these can be used to control larval instars of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

CONCLUSION: The overall results indicate that the aqueous and pelletized extracts of Piper nigrum L. are effective in attracting the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for oviposition and exhibit a larvicidal activity.

Animal ; Aedes ; Piper Nigrum ; Larva ; Oviposition ; Water ; Biological Assay

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to validate the effectiveness of the ovicidal-larvicidal (OL) trap with the pelletized extracts of Piper nigrum L. in attracting female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for oviposition and in reducing teh number of larvae hatched, thus preventing the emergence of adult mosquitoes.

METHODS: The OL trap system containing the developed plant-based pellets from Piper nigrum L. was field tested in Marikina and Quezon City. Paired OL traps were installed outdoors in 150 selected houses in each city. The OL trap is composed of a black painted can, a small strip of lawanit (paddle) for oviposition and extracts of Piper nigrum L. as the ovicide-larvicide solution or plain water. Pelletized form of Piper nigrum L. was prepared by grinding the seeds then mixing it with 1% previously cooked starch solution at a ratio of 1:1 followed by extrusion and forming into pellets using a granulator then drying. The number of positive OL traps was recorded. Larval mortality and the Ovitrap Index were also determined.

RESULTS: Four collections were made using the pelletized form in which 2,314 OL traps were collected. The OL traps with the pelletized form showed a 53.2% attraction which is significantly higher than that with water (p-value<0.0001). The percent egg and larval mortality in both cities was recorded at 86.2% while adult emergence is 13.8%. The Ovitrap Index in Marikina was in the range of 53% to 68% while OL traps with water have an Ovitrap Index range of 39% to 65%. In Quezon City, OL traps with the pelletized admixture have an Ovitrap Index range of 35% to 50% while those with water have a range of 31% to 36%.

CONCLUSION: The overall results indicate that the developed OL trap system with Piper nigrum L. is effective in attracting Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The OL traps with extracts of Piper nigrum L. were also found to be lethal to larvae.

Animal ; Aedes ; Piper Nigrum ; Larva ; Oviposition ; Starch ; Water ; Cities ; Desiccation ; Seeds

Piper nigrum L. (Piperaceae), which is a well-known food seasoning, has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and anorexia in Korea, China and Japan. Methanol extract from the fruit of P. nigrum was successively partitioned as n-hexane, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and H₂O soluble fractions. Among those fractions the ethyl acetate soluble fraction showed the most potent DPPH radical scavenging activity, and piperine was isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction. To know the antioxidant activity of piperine, we tested the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase together with oxidative stress tolerance and intracellular ROS level in Caenorhabditis elegans. To investigate whether piperine-mediated increased stress tolerance was due to regulation of stress-response gene, we quantified SOD-3 expression using transgenic strain including CF1553. Consequently, piperine enhanced SOD and catalase activities of C. elegans, and reduced intracellular ROS accumulation in a dose–dependent manner. Moreover, piperine-treated CF1553 worms exhibited significantly higher SOD-3::GFP intensity.
1-Butanol ; Abdominal Pain ; Anorexia ; Caenorhabditis elegans ; Caenorhabditis ; Catalase ; China ; Diarrhea ; Fruit ; Japan ; Korea ; Medicine, Traditional ; Methanol ; Methylene Chloride ; Oxidative Stress ; Piper nigrum ; Piper ; Seasons ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Vomiting

The prevalence and population density of the mycobiota of 50 samples belonging to 10 kinds of spices (anise, black pepper, red pepper, black cumin, peppermint, cardamom, clove, cumin, ginger and marjoram) which collected from different places in Jeddah Governorate were studied. The natural occurrence of mycotoxins in those samples was also investigated. Fifteen genera and thirty - one species of fungi in addition to one species variety were isolated and identified during this study. The most common genera were Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium. Aflatoxins (12~40 microg/kg) were detected in the extract of 5 samples of each of anise seeds and black pepper fruits; three samples of black cumin seeds and on sample only of each of peppermint and marjoram leaves out of 5 samples tested of each. Sterigmatocystin (15~20 microg/kg) was detected in some samples of red pepper, cumin and marjoram. The inhibitory effects of 10 kinds of powdered spices were tested against 3 toxigenic isolates of fungi (Aspergillus flavus, A. versicolor and Penicillium citrinum). Clove proved to be antimycotic compounds. It inhibited the growth of the tested toxigenic fungi. Black pepper, peppermint, cardamom, cumin and marjoram completely inhibited aflatoxins production, while black pepper and cardamom also completely inhibited sterigmatocystin production.
Aflatoxins ; Aspergillus ; Piper nigrum ; Capsicum ; Cuminum ; Elettaria ; Syzygium ; Fruit ; Fungi* ; Fusarium ; Ginger ; Mentha piperita ; Mycotoxins* ; Nigella sativa ; Origanum ; Penicillium ; Pimpinella ; Population Density ; Prevalence ; Saudi Arabia* ; Spices* ; Sterigmatocystin

The pharmacokinetics of orally administered pefloxacin were studied to evaluate the bio-enhancing effect of the herbal bio-enhancer, trikatu, in mountain Gaddi goats (n = 6). The findings of the study revealed a decreased plasma concentration (p > 0.05) of pefloxacin following trikatu administration during the absorption phase (10, 15, 20 min post pefloxacin administration). In contrast, the plasma concentrations of pefloxacin were significantly higher at 4, 6, 8 and 12 h (during the elimination phase) of the pefloxacin administration. The findings of the investigation revealed higher values for the area under the curve, the area under the first moment of the plasma drug concentration time curve, the mean residential time, the total duration of pharmacological action and bioavailability. Trikatu treatment, however, significantly reduced the elimination half life (t(1/2beta)) and zero time intercept of the elimination phase. The apparent volume of distribution based on the total area under the plasma drug concentration curve [(Vd((area))] and the apparent volume of distribution based on the zero time plasma concentration intercept of the elimination phase [Vd((B))] were significantly higher in trikatu treated animals indicating a better penetration of the drug. Based on the MIC of 0.8 microgram/ml of pefloxacin, a priming dose of 6.0 mg/kg and a maintenance dose of 2.21 mg/kg is required to be administered at 8 h intervals. For practical purposes in goats this would mean a priming dose of 6 mg/kg and a maintenance dose of 2 mg/kg given by the oral route, to be repeated at 8 h intervals.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*administration & dosage/blood/*pharmacokinetics ; Biological Availability ; Cross-Over Studies ; Ginger ; Goats/*metabolism ; Herb-Drug Interactions ; Pefloxacin/*administration & dosage/blood/*pharmacokinetics ; Phytotherapy/*veterinary ; Piper ; Piper nigrum ; Plant Extracts/*pharmacology

Alkaloids ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; Anticonvulsants ; pharmacology ; Benzodioxoles ; Oils, Volatile ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Piper ; chemistry ; Piper nigrum ; chemistry ; Piperidines ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polyunsaturated Alkamides

This study is to explore the amelioration of piperine on chronic acute combining stress rat with depression-like behavior, visceral sensitivity, and its effect on the expression of serotonin (5-HT) and synaptophysin. Forty two SD rats were divided into seven groups: blank group, model group, piperine (12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mgkg-1, ig) and imipramine (10 mgkg-1, ip) groups. The rat model of irritable bowel syndrome was established by chronic acute combining stress, and then to evaluate depression-like behavior and visceral sensitivity. The expressions of 5-HT and synaptophysin in the hippocampus and colon were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Western blotting, respectively. The duration of immobility of IBS rat in the forced swimming test had been significantly increased, the sucrose consumption of IBS rat had been reduced and visceral sensitivity was obviously elevated in the IBS model group as compared with those in the normal control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). As compared with those in the normal control group, the expression of 5-HT significantly decreased, 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio significantly increased in the hippocampus of IBS model group (P<0.05), but opposite presentations were noted in the colon (P<0.05). As compared with that in the normal control group, the synaptophysin expression in the hippocampus decreased significantly but obviously increased in the colon (P<0.05). Piperine improved the behavior of IBS rats, and reversed the levels of 5-HT and 5-HIAA, and 5-HIAA/5-HT proportion in the hippocampus and colon (P<0.05); besides, they significantly reverse the synaptophysin level in the hippocampus and colon (P<0.05). The presence of depression and visceral sensitivity had been changed in IBS rats, with abnormal expression of 5-HT and synaptophysin in the brain-gut system. Piperine can ameliorate the changes of the behavior and regulation of serotonin and synaptophysin expression in IBS rat model.
Alkaloids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Benzodioxoles ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Colon ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid ; metabolism ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Motor Activity ; drug effects ; Piper nigrum ; chemistry ; Piperidines ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polyunsaturated Alkamides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serotonin ; metabolism ; Synaptophysin ; metabolism