Fumonisins : Toxicokinetics, mechanism of action and toxicity

Occurrence, potential ecological risks, and degradation of endocrine disrupter, nonylphenol, from the aqueous environment.

Background: Aging is an inevitable process for all living organisms. During this process reactive oxygen species generation is increased which leads to the activation of hyaluronidase, collagenase and elastase, which can further contribute to skin aging. Four southern African medicinal plants; Clerodendrum glabrum, Schotia brachypetala, Psychotria capensis and Peltophorum africanum, were investigated to assess their anti-aging properties. Methods: Anti-elastase, anti-collagenase and anti-hyaluronidase activities of twenty-eight samples, consisting of methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of the four plants, were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Radical scavenging activity was determined by the ability of the plant extracts to scavenge the ABTS + radical. Results: The majority of the samples in the anti-elastase assay and nine in the anti-collagenase assay showed more than 80% inhibition. The ethyl acetate extract of S. brachypetala bark and leaves of P. capensis inhibited elastase activity by more than 90%. The methanol extract of S. brachypetala bark contained the highest anti-hyaluronidase activity (75.13 ± 7.49%) whilst the ethyl acetate extract of P. africanum bark exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (IC50: 1.99 ± 0.23 μg/ml). Conclusion: The free radical scavenging activity and enzyme inhibitory activity of the plant extracts investigated suggests that they can help restore skin elasticity and thereby slow the wrinkling process. P. africanum was the plant with the most promising activity and will be subjected to further testing and isolation of the active compound/s.

/pdf/in-vitro-determination-of-the-anti-aging-potential-of-four-5af0wyykuh.pdf

In vitro determination of the anti-aging potential of four southern African medicinal plants.

Fumonisins are mycotoxins produced by the fungus F. verticillioides, a common contaminant of maize (corn) worldwide. Maternal consumption of fumonisin B1‐contaminated maize during early pregnancy has recently been associated with increased risk for neural tube defects (NTDs) in human populations that rely heavily on maize as a dietary staple. Experimental administration of purified fumonisin to mice early in gestation also results in an increased incidence of NTDs in exposed offspring. Fumonisin inhibits the enzyme ceramide synthase in de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis, resulting in an elevation of free sphingoid bases and depletion of downstream glycosphingolipids. Increased sphingoid base metabolites (i.e., sphinganine‐1‐phosphate) may perturb signaling cascades involved in embryonic morphogenesis by functioning as ligands for sphingosine‐1‐P (S1P) receptors, a family of G‐protein‐coupled receptors that regulate key biological processes such as cell survival/proliferation, differentiation and migration. Fumonisin‐induced depletion of glycosphingolipids impairs expression and function of the GPI‐anchored folate receptor (Folr1), which may also contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes. NTDs appear to be multifactorial in origin, involving complex gene‐nutrient‐environment interactions. Vitamin supplements containing folic acid have been shown to reduce the occurrence of NTDs, and may help protect the developing fetus from environmental teratogens. Fumonisins appear to be an environmental risk factor for birth defects, although other aspects of maternal nutrition and genetics play interactive roles in determining pregnancy outcome. Minimizing exposures to mycotoxins through enhanced agricultural practices, identifying biomarkers of exposure, characterizing mechanisms of toxicity, and improving maternal nutrition are all important strategies for reducing the NTD burden in susceptible human populations.

Maternal fumonisin exposure as a risk factor for neural tube defects.

The history of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (MAP) utilization dates back to the beginnings of mankind. Our forefathers used natural substances, they could find in nature, to ease, cure their sufferings, illnesses, to heal their wounds. This type of approach has survived in the Traditional Medicinal (TM) uses, until today, since nearly 80 % of the world population still relies on MAPs in their medications. The renaissance of MAP-use in the high-income countries of the world has brought about a different type of use in the form of Herbal Medicines (CAM). MAPs have become “industrial products” with new concepts like phytotherapy and veterinary medicinal uses, aromatherapy, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and animal welfare uses widening the scope of the utilization. New, innovative, value added applications include their use in functional foods, animal husbandry, as well as plant protection in agriculture. In this regards the versatile utilization of essential oils is promising. Modern approaches in production and uses have brought about an increased focus on the importance of quality, safety and efficacy of both MAPs and their produce. MAPs will also maintain their importance in the search for new, valuable sources of drugs and lead compounds. In view of the steadily increasing demands on these important natural resources, attention should be paid to the sustainable forms of production and utilization.

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the World

Occurrence, fate and toxic effects of the industrial endocrine disrupter, nonylphenol, on plants - a review

Cowpea seed samples from South Africa and Benin were analyzed for seed mycoflora. Fusariumspecies detected were F. equiseti, F. chlamydosporum, F. graminearum, F. proliferatum, F. sambucinum, F. semitectum, and F. subglutinans. Cowpea seed from South Africa and Benin and F. proliferatum isolates from Benin, inoculated onto maize patty medium, were analyzed for fumonisin production. Samples were extracted with methanol/water and cleaned up on strong anion exchange solid phase extraction cartridges. HPLC with precolumn derivatization using o-phthaldialdehyde was used for the detection and quantification of fumonisins. Cowpea cultivars from South Africa showed the presence of fumonisin B(1) at concentrations ranging between 0.12 and 0.61 microg/g, whereas those from Benin showed no fumonisins. This is believed to be the first report of the natural occurrence of FB(1) on cowpea seed. Fumonisin B(1), B(2), and B(3) were produced by all F. proliferatum isolates. Total fumonisin concentrations were between 0.8 and 25.30 microg/g, and the highest level of FB(1) detected was 16.86 microg/g.

Mycoflora and fumonisin mycotoxins associated with cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] seeds.

Antimicrobial activity of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) leaf extracts

This is the first report of Alternaria leaf spot disease on coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) in South Africa. Using the agar plate method, Alternaria alternata was isolated from coriander seed lots together with four other fungal genera, which included Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium and Rhizopus. Standard seed germination tests of coriander seed lots infected with seed-borne mycoflora showed a positive correlation with the number of diseased seedlings (r = 0.239, p < 0.01). Pathogenicity tests demonstrated that this seed-borne A. alternata was pathogenic on coriander and symptoms on leaves first appeared as small, dark brown to black, circular lesions (<5 mm diam.) that enlarged and coalesced to form dark brown blotches as time progressed. Leaf spot disease was most severe (64%) on wounded leaves inoculated with A. alternata. Re-isolation of A. alternata from diseased coriander plants satisfied the Koch’s postulates, thus confirming it as the causal agent of Alternaria leaf spot disease. Parsimony analysis based on rpb2 (GenBank Accession No. KT895947), gapdh (KT895949) and tef-1α (KT895945) sequences confirmed identity of the Alternaria isolate, which grouped within the A. alternata clade. Alternaria alternata was shown to be transmitted from infected coriander seed to the developing plants.

/pdf/alternaria-alternata-a-new-seed-transmitted-disease-of-3tqk2pn7ej.pdf

Alternaria alternata : A new seed-transmitted disease of coriander in South Africa

The evaluation of plant extracts, biocontrol agents and hot water as seed treatments to control black rot of rape in South Africa

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