Evaluation of Chenopodium ambrosioides oil as a potential source of antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic and antioxidant activity

Fusion Expression of Peptides with AflR Binuclear Zinc Finger Motif and Their Enhanced Inhibition of Aspergillus flavus: A Study of Engineered Antimicrobial Peptides

This study reports a peptide design model for engineering fusion-expressed antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with the AflR dinuclear zinc finger motif to improve the defense against aflatoxins and Aspergillus flavus. The study identified AflR, a Zn2Cys6-type sequence-specific DNA-binding protein, as a key player in the regulation of aflatoxin biosynthesis. By integrating the AflR motif into AMPs, we demonstrate that these novel fusion peptides significantly lower the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and reduce aflatoxin B1 and B2 levels, outperforming traditional AMPs. Comprehensive analysis, including bioinformatics and structural determination, elucidates the enhanced structure-function relationship underlying their efficacy. Furthermore, the study reveals the possibility that the fusion peptides have the potential to bind to the DNA binding sites of transcriptional regulators, binding DNA sites of key transcriptional regulators, thereby inhibiting genes critical for aflatoxin production. This research not only deepens our understanding of aflatoxin inhibition mechanisms but also presents a promising avenue for developing advanced antifungal agents, which are essential for global food safety and crop protection.

Computational Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds from Dysphania ambrosioides Leaves

Dysphania ambrosioides has been reported to have many medicinal properties, due to its possession of a multitude of biologically active molecules contained in its leaves. However, very few studies have been reported to evaluate their pharmacological properties. Consequently, in the present study, many computational tools have been performed to predict drug similarity and ADMET properties. Besides, the inhibitory potential of D.ambrosioides major compounds against Bacterial, Fungal and cardiovascular main receptor targets has been investigated. This study suggests that Carvone oxide, 5-Isopropenyl-2-Methylenecyclohexanol, and Caryophyllene oxide were the most active molecules belonging to D. ambrosioides Leaves, possessing drug-likeness with satisfactory bioactivity scores, having good pharmacokinetic values. Metabolism and toxicities were further studied using FAME3, GLORY, and pred-hERG. Slight cardiotoxicity and cytotoxicity were predicted, respectively, for Caryophyllene oxide and Carvone oxide, 5-Isopropenyl-2-Methylenecyclohexanol. Good inhibitory activities of the three compounds against Bacterial, Fungal, and Cardiovascular receptor targets. Hence, this is a comprehensive in silico approach to evaluate D.ambrosioides Leaves main phytocompounds in the background of its potential in future drug development.

Investigation of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Chenopodium album extracts and their effects on gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats

This study aims to examine the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the aerial parts of Chenopodium album extracts (CAE) prepared with different solvents, and how C. album ethanol extract protects them against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Extracts of C. album aerial parts were obtained from ethanol, water, methanol, chloroform, and hexane solvents. Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were used and gentamycin-induced nephrotoxicity was utilized as a model. The water extract of C. album exhibited no antimicrobial effect, whereas the methanol one created the highest zone diameter on Bacillus cereus (26 mm). The methanol extract displayed the highest activity in DPPH and ABTS. The ethanol extract yielded the highest reducing power in the CUPRAC. The water extract had the highest reducing power in the FRAP. Concerning gentamicin-induced renal damage, creatinine and urea levels in the blood were statistically higher in the gentamicin-C. album group compared to the other groups (p < .05). Urea and creatinine levels of the gentamicin-C. album group dropped significantly, indicating that the C. album was effective against renal damage. The sections from kidney tissues in the gentamicin + C. album group mostly exhibited mild glomerular congestion. Hyaline cast, cytoplasmic vacuolization, necrosis, and apoptosis were not observed. Thanks to C. album treatment, the gentamicin + C. album suffered less histopathological damage than the gentamicin group did. The results of the present study suggest that CAE can be used as a supportive treatment in people undergoing treatment for nephrotoxicity.

Antifungal Properties of Essential Oils Derived from the Genus Cymbopogon: A Systematic Review

Essential oils (EOs) are products of secondary metabolism with recognized organoleptic characteristics and biological properties. Recently, there has been a growing demand for EOs in the national and international market, mainly due to the recognition of their use as complementary medicine practices, and the increased use in the industries of pharmaceutics, cosmetics, well-being, veterinary and agroecology, boosting the productive sector. In this context, EOs from grasses of the Cymbopogon (Poaceae) are promising sources of bioactive compounds, due to their recognized biological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, repellent, and larvicide. Thus, the present study aims to carry out a review of the scientific literature of the main works related to the evaluation of the antifungal action of essential oils extracted from plants of the Cymbopogon genus, compiling the species that showed the best results and relating them to their main chemical constituents. This review covers the following species: C. citratus, C. flexuosus, C. winterianus, C. martinii, C. nardus, C. giganteus, C. schoenanthus, C. khasans, and C. proximus. Among them, C. citratus was the most assessed, being associated with the vast majority of studies (61.9 %), and it was also the species that showed the best results in terms of MIC.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities and Acute Toxicity of Cedrus atlantica, Chenopodium ambrosioides and Eucalyptus camaldulensis Essential Oils

The essential oils yield of Cedrus atlantica, Chenopodium ambrosioides and Eucalyptus camaldulensis was different. C. ambrosioides gave a relatively higher yield (2.1 ± 0.1%), while that of C. atlantica was low (1.0 ± 0.1%) and that of E. camaldulensis was lower (0.75 ± 0.1% of dry matter). The active ingredients of the essential oils and some of their biological effects were also determined. The characterization of their chemical compositions showed that the three essences have different chemical profiles: C. atlantica was richer in sesquiterpenes (β-Himachalene (54.21%) and γ -Himachalene (15.54%)), C. ambrosioides was very rich in monoterpene peroxides and monoterpenes (α-Terpinene (53.4%), ascaridole (17.7%) and ρ-Cymene (12.1%)) and E. camaldulensis was very rich in monoterpene compounds and monoterpenols (p-cymene (35.11%), γ-Eudesmol (11.9%), L-linalool (11.51%) and piperitone (10.28%)). The in vitro measurement of antioxidant activity by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) reduction assay showed a significant performance of the eucalyptus oil and average performance of the other two (C. atlantica and C. ambrosioides). The in vitro bio-test for their antimicrobial effects showed that the antibacterial activity differed depending on the essential oil and the concentration used, and that their bactericidal efficacy was similar or superior to that of synthetic antibiotics. The toxicity test on rats revealed that the LD50 of the three essential oils was 500 mg/kg body weight, which classifies them as category four cytotoxic natural products at high doses.

Mycotoxin Monitoring, Regulation and Analysis in India: A Success Story

Mycotoxins are deleterious fungal secondary metabolites that contaminate food and feed, thereby creating concerns regarding food safety. Common fungal genera can easily proliferate in Indian tropical and sub-tropical conditions, and scientific attention is warranted to curb their growth. To address this, two nodal governmental agencies, namely the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), have developed and implemented analytical methods and quality control procedures to monitor mycotoxin levels in a range of food matrices and assess risks to human health over the last two decades. However, comprehensive information on such advancements in mycotoxin testing and issues in implementing these regulations has been inadequately covered in the recent literature. The aim of this review is thus to uphold a systematic picture of the role played by the FSSAI and APEDA for mycotoxin control at the domestic level and for the promotion of international trade, along with certain challenges in dealing with mycotoxin monitoring. Additionally, it unfolds various regulatory concerns regarding mycotoxin mitigation in India. Overall, it provides valuable insights for the Indian farming community, food supply chain stakeholders and researchers about India's success story in arresting mycotoxins throughout the food supply chain.

Global Downregulation of Penicillin Resistance and Biofilm Formation by MRSA Is Associated with the Interaction between Kaempferol Rhamnosides and Quercetin

The rapid development of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) drug resistance and the formation of biofilms seriously challenge the clinical application of classic antibiotics. Extracts of the traditional herb Chenopodium ambrosioides L. were found to have strong antibiofilm activity against MRSA, but their mechanism of action remains poorly understood. This study was designed to investigate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against MRSA of flavonoids identified from C. ambrosioides L. in combination with classic antibiotics, including ceftazidime, erythromycin, levofloxacin, penicillin G, and vancomycin. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to analyze the nonvolatile chemical compositions. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was used to investigate potential multitargets of flavonoids based on global transcriptional responses of virulence and antibiotic resistance. A synergistic antibacterial and biofilm-inhibiting activity of the alcoholic extract of the ear of C. ambrosioides L. in combination with penicillin G was observed against MRSA, which proved to be closely related to the interaction of the main components of kaempferol rhamnosides with quercetin. In regard to the mechanism, the increased sensitivity of MRSA to penicillin G was shown to be related to the downregulation of penicillinase with SarA as a potential drug target, while the antibiofilm activity was mainly related to downregulation of various virulence factors involved in the initial and mature stages of biofilm development, with SarA and/or σB as drug targets. This study provides a theoretical basis for further exploration of the medicinal activity of kaempferol rhamnosides and quercetin and their application in combination with penicillin G against MRSA biofilm infection. IMPORTANCE In this study, the synergistic antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of the traditional herb C. ambrosioides L. and the classic antibiotic penicillin G on MRSA provide a potential strategy to deal with the rapid development of MRSA antibiotic resistance. This study also provides a theoretical basis for further optimizing the combined effect of kaempferol rhamnosides, quercetin, and penicillin G and exploring anti-MRSA biofilm infection research with SarA and σB as drug targets.

Medicinal plants used for the management of respiratory diseases in Zimbabwe: Review and perspectives potential management of COVID-19

Respiratory diseases have in the recent past become a health concern globally. More than 523 million cases of coronavirus disease (COVID19), a recent respiratory diseases have been reported, leaving more than 6 million deaths worldwide since the start of the pandemic. In Zimbabwe, respiratory infections have largely been managed using traditional (herbal) medicines, due to their low cost and ease of accessibility. This review highlights the plants' toxicological and pharmacological evaluation studies explored. It seeks to document plants that have been traditionally used in Zimbabwe to treat respiratory ailments within and beyond the past four decades. Extensive literature review based on published papers and abstracts retrieved from the online bibliographic databases, books, book chapters, scientific reports and theses available at Universities in Zimbabwe, were used in this study. From the study, there were at least 58 plant families comprising 160 medicinal plants widely distributed throughout the country. The Fabaceae family had the highest number of medicinal plant species, with a total of 21 species. A total of 12 respiratory ailments were reportedly treatable using the identified plants. From a total of 160 plants, colds were reportedly treatable with 56, pneumonia 53, coughs 34, chest pain and related conditions 29, asthma 25, tuberculosis and spots in lungs 22, unspecified respiratory conditions 20, influenza 13, bronchial problems 12, dyspnoea 7, sore throat and infections 5 and sinus clearing 1 plant. The study identified potential medicinal plants that can be utilised in future to manage respiratory infections.

Therapeutic potential of Pogostemon cablin herb: a comprehensive review

Pogostemon cablin (Pogostemon patchouli or Patchouli) is known for its essential oil and is a popular medicinal herb in Indian Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. This review covers patent articles on the P. cablin plant's therapeutic effects. The patent literature was collected using a thorough, comprehensive search on databases like Thomson Innovation, Espacenet, Patentscope, The Lens and Patent digital libraries of different Jurisdictions, including IPO, USPTO, CNIPA, inPASS, KIPO, JPO, etc. Despite the vast number of review articles on non-patent literature, none of the articles reviewed the patent literature. This current P. cablin literature analysis study will facilitate bridging the gap between further exploring the potential of this plant through novel investigations.

High speed homogenization assisted encapsulation of synergistic essential oils formulation: Characterization, in vitro release study, safety profile, and efficacy towards mitigation of aflatoxin B1 induced deterioration in rice samples

Application of essential oils to mitigate aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) contamination in food is a current research hotspot; however, their direct incorporation may cause toxic effects, and changes in food organoleptic properties. This work aimed to synthesize novel synergistic formulation of Pinus roxburghii, Juniperus communis, and Cupressus sempervirens essential oils by mixture design assay (PJC) and encapsulation of PJC formulation into chitosan nanocomposite (Nm-PJC) with an aim to protect stored rice (Oryza sativa L., prime staple food) against fungi and AFB₁ mediated loss of valuable minerals, macronutrients, and fatty acids. Nm-PJC was characterized through DLS, SEM, FTIR, and XRD analyses, along with controlled delivery from chitosan nanobiopolymer. Encapsulation of synergistic formulation into chitosan-nanomatrix improved antifungal (4.0 μL/mL), antiaflatoxigenic (3.5 μL/mL), and antioxidant activities (P < 0.05). Impairment in ergosterol and methylglyoxal biosynthesis along with in-silico-homology-modeling of major components with Ver-1 and Omt-A proteins advocated chemico-molecular interaction responsible for fungal growth inhibition and AFB₁ secretion. In addition, in-situ efficacy against lipid-peroxidation, fatty acid biodeterioration, and preservation of minerals, macronutrients without affecting organoleptic attributes in rice and high mammalian safety profile (9874.23 μL/kg) suggested practical application of synergistic nanoformulation as innovative smart, and green candidate to mitigate AFB₁ contamination, and shelf-life extension of stored food products.

Molluscicidal and cercaricidal activities of the essential oil of Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants: Implications for the control of schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is one of the most important tropical diseases. A fundamental strategy to control its spread is the use of natural products against its vectors, which are snails of the genus Biomphalaria. The present study evaluated the chemical composition, the molluscicidal and cercaricidal effects, and the ecotoxicity of the essential oil from the aerial parts of Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants (DAEO). The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Molluscicidal and cercaricidal activities were determined by the immersion method. Environmental toxicity was assessed from bioassays using Artemia salina larvae and Danio rerio fish. DAEO presented a 0.8% yield. The GC-MS analysis revealed the predominance of hydrocarbon monoterpenes in the oil. A total of 32 constituents was identified, with α-terpinene (50.69%) being the major compound, followed by p-cymene (13.27%) and ascaridole (10.26%). DAEO was active against adult Biomphalaria glabrata snails and demonstrated lethal effect against Schistosoma mansoni cercariae, with LC₅₀ values of 25.2 (22.7-27.8) and 62.4 (61.8-62.9) μg/mL, respectively. Regarding toxicity to non-target aquatic organisms, the oil showed LC₅₀ values of 86.9 (84.7-87.6) and 18.6 μg/mL (15.5-22.8) for A. salina and D. rerio, respectively. DAEO proved to be a promising natural product for the control of schistosomiasis, acting on both the vectors and the etiological agent of the disease. However, the use of the oil is safer in transmission sites where there are no non-target organisms, as it has showed toxicity to D. rerio fish.

Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Protein Kinase Inhibition Profiling of C. ambrosioides Seed Extracts along with RP-HPLC

The validation of underexplored traditional plant remedies represents a reservoir of novel leads for drug discovery. In line with this, in vitro total phenolics and flavonoids content, multimode antioxidants, antimicrobial, cytotoxicity, and protein kinase inhibition assays were conducted on C. ambrosioides seed extracts in addition to RP-HPLC. Methanol extract exhibited highest total phenolics ( $64.6\pm 0.6\mu \text{g}$ gallic acid equivalent/mg) and flavonoids ( $50.9\pm 0.5\mu \text{g}$ quercetin equivalent/mg) content. RP-HPLC quantified rutin (1.98 μg/mg) in methanol extract whereas quercetin (0.322 μg/mg) and kaempferol (2.86 μg/mg) in methanol-distilled water extract. Methanol extract exhibited highest ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE) free radical (DPPH) scavenging (IC50 of $110.7\pm 5\mu \text{g}/\text{ml}$ ), total antioxidant capacity ( $110.6\pm 2.2\mu \text{g}$ AAE/mg), and total reducing power ( $94.30\pm 0.46\mu \text{g}$ AAE/mg). Highest antibacterial activity against K. pneumonia ( $14\pm 1.61\text{mm}$ ZOI) and antifungal activity against F. solani ( $17\pm 1.38\text{mm}$ ZOI) were shown by n-hexane and chloroform extracts, respectively. Ethyl acetate extract exhibited highest brine shrimps cytotoxicity (LC50 of 125 μg/ml). A noteworthy protein kinase inhibitory potential was shown by ethanol extract with a $20\pm 1.27\text{mm}$ bald zone. Therapeutic potential of medicinal plants can be completely explored by using multiple solvent system. This study makes C. ambrosioides, a resourceful prospect for the bioactivity-guided isolation of lead compounds.

Specialized metabolites: Physiological and biochemical role in stress resistance, strategies to improve their accumulation, and new applications in crop breeding and management

Specialized plant metabolites (SPMs), traditionally referred to as 'secondary metabolites', are chemical compounds involved in a broad range of biological functions, including plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. Moreover, some of them have a role in end-product quality with potential health benefits in humans. For this reason, they became an important target of studies focusing on their mechanisms of action and use in crop breeding and management. In this review we summarize the specific role of SPMs in physiological processes and in plant resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses, and the different strategies to enhance their production/accumulation in plant tissues under stress, including genetic approaches (marker-assisted selection and biotechnological tools) and agronomic management (fertilizer applications, cultivation method and beneficial microorganisms). New crop management strategies based on the direct application of the most promising compounds in form of plant residuals or liquid formulations are also described.

Antifungal and Antiaflatoxinogenic Effects of Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon nardus, and Cymbopogon schoenanthus Essential Oils Alone and in Combination

The antifungal and antiaflatoxinogenic activities of the essential oils (EOs) from the leaves of Cymbopogon schoenanthus, Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon nardus, and their pair combinations were investigated. Antifungal susceptibility and the efficacy of paired combinations of EOs were assessed using agar microdilution and checkerboard methods, respectively. Identification and quantification of chemical components of the EOs were carried out by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-MS and GC-FID), respectively. Aflatoxins were separated and identified by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and then quantified by spectrofluorescence. The EO of C. nardus exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. The combination of C. citratus and C. nardus and that of C. nardus and C. schoenanthus exhibited a synergistic effect against Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus, respectively. Both C. citratus and C. schoenanthus EOs totally inhibited the synthesis of aflatoxin B1 at 1 µL/mL. C. citratus blocked the production of aflatoxins B2 and G2 at 0.5 µL/mL. Both C. citratus and C. schoenanthus totally hampered the production of the aflatoxin G1 at 0.75 µL/mL. The combination of C. citratus and C. schoenanthus completely inhibited the production of the four aflatoxins. The study shows that the combinations can be used to improve their antifungal and antiaflatoxinogenic activities.

Preparation and Optimization of Garlic Oil/Apple Cider Vinegar Nanoemulsion Loaded with Minoxidil to Treat Alopecia

Alopecia areata is a scarless, localized hair loss disorder that is typically treated with topical formulations that ultimately only further irritate the condition. Hence, the goal of this study was to develop a nanoemulsion with a base of garlic oil (GO) and apple cider vinegar (APCV) and loaded with minoxidil (MX) in order to enhance drug solubilization and permeation through skin. A distance coordinate exchange quadratic mixture design was used to optimize the proposed nanoemulsion. Span 20 and Tween 20 mixtures were used as the surfactant, and Transcutol was used as the co-surfactant. The developed formulations were characterized for their droplet size, minoxidil steady-state flux (MX Jss) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Propionibacterium acnes. The optimized MX-GO-APCV nanoemulsion had a droplet size of 110 nm, MX Jss of 3 μg/cm² h, and MIC of 0.275 μg/mL. The optimized formulation acquired the highest ex vivo skin permeation parameters compared to MX aqueous dispersion, and varying formulations lacked one or more components of the proposed nanoemulsion. GO and APCV in the optimized formulation had a synergistic, enhancing activity on the MX permeation across the skin membrane, and the percent permeated increased from 12.7% to 41.6%. Finally, the MX-GO-APCV nanoemulsion followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas model of diffusion, and the value of the release exponent (n) obtained for the formulations was found to be 1.0124, implying that the MX permeation followed Super case II transport. These results demonstrate that the MX-GO-APCV nanoemulsion formulation could be useful in promoting MX activity in treating alopecia areata.

Bacterial Endophytes as a Promising Approach to Enhance the Growth and Accumulation of Bioactive Metabolites of Three Species of Chenopodium Sprouts

Sprouts are regarded as an untapped source of bioactive components that display various biological properties. Endophytic bacterium inoculation can enhance plant chemical composition and improve its nutritional quality. Herein, six endophytes (Endo 1 to Endo 6) were isolated from Chenopodium plants and morphologically and biochemically identified. Then, the most active isolate Endo 2 (strain JSA11) was employed to enhance the growth and nutritive value of the sprouts of three Chenopodium species, i.e., C. ambrosoides, C. ficifolium, and C. botrys. Endo 2 (strain JSA11) induced photosynthesis and the mineral uptake, which can explain the high biomass accumulation. Endo 2 (strain JSA11) improved the nutritive values of the treated sprouts through bioactive metabolite (antioxidants, vitamins, unsaturated fatty acid, and essential amino acids) accumulation. These increases were correlated with increased amino acid levels and phenolic metabolism. Consequently, the antioxidant activity of the Endo 2 (strain JSA11)-treated Chenopodium sprouts was enhanced. Moreover, Endo 2 (strain JSA11) increased the antibacterial activity against several pathogenic bacteria and the anti-inflammatory activities as evidenced by the reduced activity of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase. Overall, the Endo 2 (strain JSA11) treatment is a successful technique to enhance the bioactive contents and biological properties of Chenopodium sprouts.

Phytochemical Analysis, Antispasmodic, Myorelaxant, and Antioxidant Effect of Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin and Clemants Flower Hydroethanolic Extracts and Its Chloroform and Ethyl Acetate Fractions

Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin and Clemants is an annual or ephemeral perennial herb used traditionally in the Mediterranean region in folk medicine to treat various illnesses, including those related to the digestive system. This study aims to assess the antispasmodic, myorelaxant, and antioxidant effects of D. ambrosioides flower hydroethanolic extract and its chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions in a comparative study to evaluate the result of the extraction type on the potential activity of the extract. Both rat and rabbit jejunum were used to evaluate the antispasmodic and myorelaxant effect, while the antioxidant effect was evaluated using DPPH, a ferric reducing power assay, and a beta-carotene bleaching test. LC/MS-MS analysis was carried out to reveal the composition of the different types of extract. Following the results, the hydroethanolic extract showed a significant myorelaxant effect (IC₅₀ = 0.39 ± 0.01 mg/mL). Moreover, it was shown that the hydroethanolic extract demonstrated the best antispasmodic activity (IC₅₀ = 0.51 ± 0.05 mg/mL), followed by the ethyl acetate (IC₅₀ = 4.05 ± 0.32 mg/mL) and chloroform (IC₅₀ = 4.34 ± 0.45 mg/mL) fractions. The antioxidant tests showed that the hydroethanolic extract demonstrated high antioxidant activity, followed by the ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions. The LC/MS-MS analysis indicates that the plant extract was rich in flavonoids, to which the extract activity has been attributed. This study supports the traditional use of this plant to treat digestive problems, especially those with spasms.

Natural Products from Medicinal Plants against Phytopathogenic Fusarium Species: Current Research Endeavours, Challenges and Prospects

Many Fusarium species are pathogenic, causing crop diseases during crop production and spoilage of agricultural products in both commercial and smallholder farming. Fusarium attack often results into food contamination, yield loss and increases in food insecurity and food prices. Synthetic fungicides have been used as a control strategy for the management of crop diseases caused by Fusarium pathogens. The negative effects associated with application of many synthetic pesticides has necessitated the need to search for alternative control strategies that are affordable and environmentally safe. Research on medicinal plants as control agents for Fusarium pathogens has received attention since plants are readily available and they contain wide variety of secondary metabolites that are biodegradable. The activities of solvent extracts, essential oils and compounds from medicinal plants have been tested against Fusarium phytopathogenic species. A summary of recent information on antifungal activity of plants against Fusarium species is valuable for the development of biopesticides. This paper reviews the antifungal research conducted on medicinal plants against Fusarium pathogens, over a 10-year period, from January 2012 to May 2021. We also highlight the challenges and opportunities of using natural products from medicinal plants in crop protection. Several databases (Science Direct and Web of Science) were used to obtain information on botanical products used to control Fusarium diseases on crops. Keywords search used included natural products, antifungal, Fusarium, crops diseases, phytopathogenic, natural compounds and essential oil.

Nature-inspired wax-coated jute bags for reducing post-harvest storage losses

Post-harvest storage of grains is crucial for food and feed reserves and facilitating seeds for planting. Ironically, post-harvest losses continue to be a major food security threat in the developing world, especially where jute bags are utilized. While jute fabrics flaunt mechanical strength and eco-friendliness, their water-loving nature has proven to be their Achilles heel. Increased relative humidity and/or precipitation wets jute, thereby elevating the moisture content of stored seeds and causing fungal growth. This reduces seed longevity, viability, and nutritional value. To address this crucial weakness of jute bags, we followed a nature-inspired approach to modify their surface microtexture and chemical make-up via alkali and wax treatments, respectively. The resulting wax-coated jute bags (WCJBs) exhibited significant water-repellency to simulated rainfall and airborne moisture compared to control jute bags (CJBs). A 2 months-long seed storage experiment with wheat (Triticum aestivum) grains exposed to 55%, 75%, and 98% relative humidity environments revealed that the grains stored in the WCJBs exhibited 7.5-4% lesser (absolute) moisture content than those in the CJBs. Furthermore, WCJBs-stored grains exhibited a 35-12% enhancement in their germination efficacy over the controls. This nature-inspired engineering solution could contribute towards reducing post-harvest losses in the developing world, where jute bags are extensively utilized for grain storage.

Ethnomedical uses, chemical constituents, and evidence-based pharmacological properties of Chenopodium ambrosioides L.: extensive overview

Background

The Chenopodium genus is a plant family widely spread worldwide that includes various plant species reputed to possess several medicinal virtues in folk medicines. Chenopodium ambrosioides L. is among the most used plants in traditional medicines worldwide. This review aimed to highlight ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical status, and pharmacological properties of C. ambrosioides L.

Main body of the abstract

The analysis of relevant data highlights various ethnomedicinal uses against human and veterinary diseases in forty countries. Most indications consisted of gastrointestinal tract dysfunctioning troubles and worms parasitemia. Around 330 chemical compounds have been identified in different plant parts, especially in its essential oil fractions (59.84%). However, only a few compounds—mainly monoterpenes and glycosides—have been isolated and characterized. Experimental pharmacological studies validated a large scale of significant health benefits. It appeared that many monoterpenes are antioxidant, insecticidal, trypanocidal, analgesic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, acaricidal, amoebicidal, anthelmintic, anticancer, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, antifertility, antifungal, anti-leishmanial, antimalarial, antipyretic, antisickling, antischistosomal, antiulcer, anxiolytic, immunomodulatory, molluscicidal, and vasorelaxant agents.

Short conclusion

Thus, the Chenopodium ambrosioides species necessitates further chemical studies to isolate and characterize new bioactive secondary metabolites and pharmacological investigations to precise the mechanisms of action before clinical trials.

Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis Induced by Chenopodium ambrosioides L. Essential Oil in Human Normal Liver Cell Line L02 via the Endogenous Mitochondrial Pathway Rather Than the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (C. ambrosioides) has been used as dietary condiments and as traditional medicine in South America. The oil of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (C. ambrosioides) can be used as a natural antioxidant in food processing. It also has analgesic, sedating, and deworming effects, and can be used along with the whole plant for its medical effects: decongestion, as an insecticide, and to offer menstruation pain relief. This study was conducted to investigate the cytotoxicity and apoptosis effects of an essential oil from C. ambrosioides in vitro. The cytotoxicity evaluation of the essential oil from C. ambrosioides on human normal liver cell line L02 was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. AO/EB dual fluorescent staining assay and Annexin V-FITC were used for apoptosis analysis. The changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were analyzed with 5,5,6,6′-tetrachloro-1,1,3,3,-tetraethyl-imidacarbocyanine iodide (JC-1) dye under a fluorescence microscope. The level of apoptosis related protein expression was quantified by Western blot. The L02 cells were treated with the essential oil from C. ambrosioides at 24, 48, and 72 h, and the IC₅₀ values were 65.45, 58.03, and 35.47 μg/mL, respectively. The AO/EB staining showed that viable apoptotic cells, non-viable apoptotic cells, and non-viable non-apoptotic cells appeared among the L02 cells under the fluorescence microscope. Cell cycle arrest at the S phase and cell apoptosis increased through flow cytometry in the L02 cells treated with the essential oil. MMP decreased in a concentration-dependent manner, as seen through JC-1 staining under the fluorescence microscope. In the L02 cells as shown by Western blot and qPCR, the amount of the apoptosis-related proteins and the mRNA expression levels of cytochrome C, Bax, Caspase-9, and Caspase-3 increased, Bcl-2 decreased, and Caspase-12, which is expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum, showed no obvious changes in protein amount or mRNA expression level. The essential oil form C. ambrosioides had a cytotoxic effect on L02 cells. It could inhibit L02 cell proliferation, arrest the cell cycle at the S phase, and induce L02 cell apoptosis through the endogenous mitochondrial pathway.

Antifungal Properties of Essential Oils and Their Compounds for Application in Skin Fungal Infections: Conventional and Nonconventional Approaches

Essential oils (EOs) are known to have varying degrees of antimicrobial properties that are mainly due to the presence of bioactive compounds. These include antiviral, nematicidal, antifungal, insecticidal and antioxidant properties. This review highlights the potential of EOs and their compounds for application as antifungal agents for the treatment of skin diseases via conventional and nonconventional approaches. A search was conducted using three databases (Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar), and all relevant articles from the period of 2010-2020 that are freely available in English were extracted. In our findings, EOs with a high percentage of monoterpenes showed strong ability as potential antifungal agents. Lavandula sp., Salvia sp., Thymus sp., Citrus sp., and Cymbopogon sp. were among the various species found to show excellent antifungal properties against various skin diseases. Some researchers developed advanced formulations such as gel, semi-solid, and ointment bases to further evaluate the effectiveness of EOs as antifungal agents. To date, most studies on the application of EOs as antifungal agents were performed using in vitro techniques, and only a limited number pursued in vivo and intervention-based research.

Nitroso-hemoglobin-ginger conjugates effects on bacterial growth and color stability in a minced beef model

This study aims to enhance the color and microbiological qualities of a raw beef using natural ingredients. Nitroso-hemoglobin (NO-Hb) integrated with vitamin C (VC), calcium lactate, and ginger complexation were used as natural inhibitors against the growth of aerobic and pathogenic bacteria, namely (Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Salmonella. NO-Hb inhibited E. coli, S. aureus, and Salmonella, and enhanced the color stability more than nitrite in the minced beef model. After the multiexponential analysis of relaxation decays, the water component (T2b) was analyzed using the low-field NMR. The results indicated that, at the 7th d of cold-storage the third component (T2) was detected. Significant correlations were observed between T21 and T22 relaxation times and water-holding capacity in minced beef, implying that the LF-NMR measurements could be an efficient method for the determination and prediction of beef freshness. NO-Hb- ginger mixture, as a novel ingredient, could be used instead of nitrite in terms of meat safety.

Natural Preservatives from Plant in Cheese Making

Today, consumers are increasingly demanding safety alternatives concerning the use of synthetic additives in the food industry, as well as healthy food. As a result, a major number of plant-derived preservatives have been tested in the food industry. These natural ingredients have antioxidant properties and have shown to increase the bioactive molecules levels and the microbiological stability of the food items. The effect of the plant-based preservatives on the sensorial properties of the new products has also to be considered, because natural preservatives could result in sensorial characteristics that may not be accepted by the consumers. Cheese is a dairy product widely appreciated all over the world, but it is also susceptible to contamination by pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms; therefore, the use of preservatives in cheese making represents an important step. This review deals with one of the innovation in the cheese sector, which is the addition of natural preservatives. Several aspects are discussed, such as the effect of natural ingredients on the microbial stability of cheese, and their influence on the chemical, nutritional and sensorial characteristics of the cheeses. Although the promising results, further studies are needed to confirm the use of natural preservatives from plants in cheese making.

Losses in the Grain Supply Chain: Causes and Solutions

Global grain production needs a significant increase in output in the coming decades in order to cover the food and feed consumption needs of mankind. As sustainability is the key factor in production, the authors investigate global grain production, the losses along the value chain, and future solutions. Global wheat, maize, rice, and soybean production peaked at 2.102 million tons (mt) of harvested grain in 2018. Pre-harvest losses due to diseases, animal pests, weeds, and abiotic stresses and harvest destroy yearly amount to about 35% of the total possible biological product of 3.153 mt, with 1051.5 mt being lost before harvest. The losses during harvest and storage through toxin contamination are responsible for 690 mt, with a total of 1.741 mt or 83% of the total newly stored grain. Limited cooperation can be experienced between scientific research, plant breeding, plant protection, agronomy, and society, and in addition, their interdependence is badly understood. Plant breeding can help to reduce a significant part of field loss up to 300 mt (diseases, toxins, water and heat stress) and up to 220 mt during storage (toxin contamination). The direct and indirect impact of pest management on production lead to huge grain losses. The main task is to reduce grain losses during production and storage and consumption. Better harvest and storage conditions could prevent losses of 420 mt. The education of farmers by adopting the vocational school system is a key issue in the prevention of grain loss. In addition, extension services should be created to demonstrate farmers crop management in practice. A 50% reduction of grain loss and waste along the value chain seems to be achievable for the feeding 3–4 billion more people in a sustainable way without raising genetic yields of crop cultivars.

Occurrence and preventive strategies to control mycotoxins in cereal-based food

Mycotoxins contamination in cereal-based food is ubiquitous according to systematic review of the scientific documentation of worldwide mycotoxin contamination in cereal and their products between 2008 and 2018, thus representing food safety issue especially in developing tropical countries. Food processing plays a vital role to prevent mycotoxin contamination in food. Therefore, it is with great urgency to develop strategies to inhibit fungi growth and mycotoxin production during food processing. This review begins by discussing physicochemical properties of five most common mycotoxins (aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxins, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone) found in cereal grains, regulation for mycotoxins in food, and their potential negative impact on human health. The fate of mycotoxins during major cereal-based food processing including milling, breadmaking, extrusion, malting, and brewing was then summarized. In the end, traditional mitigation strategies including physical and chemical and potential application of biocontrol agent and essential oil nanoemulsions that can be applied during food processing were discussed. It indicated that no single method is currently available to completely prevent mycotoxin contamination in cereal foods.

Anti-biofilm Action of Chenopodium ambrosioides Extract, Cytotoxic Potential and Effects on Acrylic Denture Surface

Considering the challenge to control Candida-associated denture stomatitis, the search for antifungal substances derived from natural sources has become a trend in the literature. In this study the following effects of Chenopodium ambrosioides extract (CAE) were investigated: action against biofilms of Candida albicans, its cytotoxic potential, and changes caused in acrylic resin. The CAE was characterized by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The susceptibility of C. albicans to CAE was investigated by Minimum Inhibitory Concentration and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MIC and MFC) tests. Acrylic resin disks were fabricated, and C. albicans biofilms were developed on these for 48 h. Afterward the disks were immersed for 10 min in: PBS (Negative Control); 1% Sodium Hypochlorite (1% SH, Positive Control) or CAE at MIC or 5xMIC. The biofilms were investigated relative to counts and metabolic activity. The cytotoxic potential in keratinocytes and fibroblasts was verified by MTT test. Change in color and roughness of the acrylic resin was analyzed after 28 days of immersion in CAE. The data were analyzed by the ANOVA considering a 5% level of significance. The main compounds detected by HPLC were kaempferol and quercetin. Both MIC and MFC obtained the value of 0.25 mg/mL. The MIC was sufficient to significantly reduce the counts and activity of the biofilm cells (p < 0.0001), while 5xMIC resulted in almost complete eradication, similar to 1% SH. Keratinocytes and fibroblasts exposed to the MIC and 5xMIC presented cell viability similar to that of the Control Group (p > 0.05). No important changes in acrylic resin color and roughness were detected, even after 28 days. It could be concluded that the immersion of acrylic resin in C. ambrosioides extract in its minimum inhibitory concentration was effective for the reduction of C. albicans biofilms without any evidence of cytotoxic effects or changes in roughness and color of this substrate.

Antioxidant, intestinal immune status and anti-inflammatory potential of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. in fish: In vitro and in vivo studies

Chenopodium ambrosioides L. has been used for centuries as traditional medicine in many clinical situations. The objectives of this study were first to assess the nutraceutical potential of C. ambrosioides L. extract through analyses of its chemical composition and antioxidant properties, followed by assessing toxicity and antioxidative activities on fish splenocytes. The second one was to perform an in vivo study using dietary C. ambrosioides L. extract (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0%; w/w) for 15 and 30 days (2-week and 4-week treatments) to assess associated-intestine health status by short-chain fatty production, antioxidant enzyme activities and anti-inflammatory effects on Pacific red snapper (Lutjanus peru). Non-polar and polar fractions were detected by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in C. ambrosioides, of which the most abundant compounds were carvacrol, phytol, squalene, vitamin E and sucrose. The extract of C. ambrosioides L. enhanced a considerable antiradical and reducing power; fish splenocytes responded positively with higher (88%) cell viability than control. The production of nitric oxide and superoxide anion, as well as superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, were also enhanced in splenocytes treated with C. ambrosioides L. The in vivo study results showed that acetate was the major short-chain fatty acid found in fish receiving C. ambrosioides L. after week four. Pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression in intestine was modulated in fish fed with C. ambrosioides L. at any time of the experimental trial. In addition, the histological findings suggested that its extract did not cause inflammatory damage in intestine. Overall, the results suggest that C. ambrosioides L. is safe for immune cells and promoting intestinal health status of fish through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, making it an interesting additive in functional diets.

Chenopodium ambrosioides induces an endothelium-dependent relaxation of rat isolated aorta

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the vasodilatory effect of Chenopodium ambrosioides on the isolated rat aorta, and to explore its mechanism of action.

METHODS

The vasorelaxant effect and the mode of action of various extracts from the leaves of C. ambrosioides were evaluated on thoracic aortic rings isolated from Wistar rats. In addition, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions were analyzed, using thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography techniques, for their polyphenolic content.

RESULTS

The various active extracts of C. ambrosioides at four concentrations (10^-3, 10^-2, 10^-1 and 1 mg/mL) relaxed the contraction elicited by phenylephrine, in a concentration-dependent manner. This effect seems to be endothelium-dependent, since the vasodilatory effect was entirely absent in denuded aortic rings. The vasorelaxant effect of the methanol fraction (MF) of C. ambrosioides at 1 mg/mL was also inhibited by atropine and tetraethylammonium. This effect remained unchanged by Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride and glibenclamide. The preliminary phytochemical analysis showed that the leaves of C. ambrosioides are rich in phenolic and flavonoid derivatives.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the MF of C. ambrosioides produces an endothelium-dependent relaxation of the isolated rat aorta, which is thought to be mediated mainly through stimulation of the muscarinic receptors, and probably involving the opening of Ca²⁺-activated potassium channels.

Hypoglycemic Activity of Tilia americana, Borago officinalis, Chenopodium nuttalliae, and Piper sanctum on Wistar Rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered the epidemic of the 21st century. Traditional medicine uses plants to treat DM; many of these have hypoglycemic effects in both animal models and diabetic patients. Our objective was to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of Tilia americana, Borago officinalis, Chenopodium nuttalliae, and Piper sanctum on diabetic rats. The methanolic extracts of the plants under study were obtained by Soxhlet extraction. Toxicity was evaluated on Artemia salina; the antioxidant potential was evaluated using the DPPH technique. Hypoglycemic capacity at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg was tested on Wistar rats with diabetes induced by alloxan (120 mg/kg). The toxicity on A. salina was null for the extracts of B. officinalis and P. sanctum, moderate for T. americana, and highly toxic for C. nuttalliae. The relevant extract of T. americana var. mexicana showed antioxidant activity. Three plants of the studied plants showed hypoglycemic activity: Tilia Americana (p = 0.0142), Borago officinalis (p = 0.0112), and Piper sanctum (p = 0.0078); P. sanctum was the one that showed the greatest reduction in glucose levels at a lower dose.

Essential oils as natural preservatives for bakery products: Understanding the mechanisms of action, recent findings, and applications

Bakery products, as an important part of a healthy diet, are characterized by their limited shelf-life. Microbiological spoilage of these products not only affects the quality characteristics and result in the economic loss but also threatens consumer's health. Incorporation of chemical preservatives, as one of the most conventional preserving techniques, lost its popularity due to the increasing consumer's health awareness. Therefore, the bakery industry is seeking alternatives to harmful antimicrobial agents that can be accepted by health-conscious customers. In this regard, essential oils have been previously used as either a part of product ingredient or a part of the packaging system. Therefore, the antimicrobial aspect of essential oils and their ability in delaying the microbiological spoilage of bakery products have been reviewed. Several types of essential oils, including thyme, cinnamon, oregano, and lemongrass, can inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms in bakery products, resulting in a product with extended shelf-life and enhanced safety. Research revealed that several bioactive compounds are involved in the antimicrobial activity of essential oils. However, some limitations, such as the possible negative effects of essential oils on sensory parameters, may limit their applications, especially in high concentrations. In this case, they can be used in combination with other preservation techniques such as using appropriate packaging materials. Further research regarding the commercial production of the bakery products formulated with essential oils is required in this area.

Anti-arthritic properties of crude extract from Chenopodium ambrosioides L. leaves

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic crude extract (HCE) from Chenopodium ambrosioides leaves on the development of type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and on pro-inflammatory cytokine balance.

Methods

Collagen-induced arthritis was induced in DBA1/J mice. On the 21st day, the mice were treated orally with HCE or methotrexate, daily. Six weeks after beginning the treatment, the following measures were determined: lymphoid organs cell numbers, percentage of blood cells, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-17 serum concentrations, activity of hepatic and kidney glutathione S-transferase, hepatic 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity, bone density and histopathology.

Key findings

Treatment of CIA mice with HCE 5 mg/kg (HCE5) reduced the percentage of neutrophils and macrophages and the number of bone marrow cells and increased the lymphocyte numbers and the inguinal lymph node cellularity. This treatment inhibited the serum concentration of IL-6 and TNF-α, which may be related to the preservation of bone density and to the slight thickening of periarticular tissues, with minimal fibrosis and fibroblast proliferation in the joints. The CIA group presented advanced articular erosion and synovial hyperplasia. Phytochemical analysis showed mainly flavonols.

Conclusions

HCE5 presented anti-arthritic potential and reduced IL-6 and TNF-α, which participate directly in the development and maintenance of the inflammatory process in rheumatoid arthritis.

Clausena anisata and Dysphania ambrosioides essential oils: from ethno-medicine to modern uses as effective insecticides

Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants (Amaranthaceae) and Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook. f. ex Benth. (Rutaceae) are two aromatic species traditionally used in Cameroon to repel and kill insects. The present work was carried out to substantiate this traditional use and to evaluate the possible incorporation in commercial botanical insecticides of their essential oils (EOs). The EOs were distilled from leaves of C. anisata and aerial parts of D. ambrosioides and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The insecticidal activity of both EOs was investigated against the filariasis vector, Culex quinquefasciatus, and the housefly, Musca domestica. As possible mode of action, the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by the two EOs was investigated as well. The D. ambrosioides EO was characterized by the monoterpene peroxide ascaridole (61.4%) and the aromatic p-cymene (29.0%), whereas the C. anisata EO was dominated by the phenylpropanoids (E)-anethole (64.6%) and (E)-methyl isoeugenol (16.1%). The C. anisata EO proved to be very toxic to third instar larvae of C. quinquefasciatus showing LC₅₀ of 29.3 μl/l, whereas D. ambrosioides EO was more toxic to adults of M. domestica showing a LD₅₀ of 51.7 μg/adult. The mixture of both EOs showed a significant synergistic effect against mosquito larvae with LC₅₀ estimated as 19.3 μl/l, whereas this phenomenon was not observed upon application to M. domestica adults (LD₅₀ = 75.9 μg/adult). Of the two EOs, the D. ambrosioides one provided a good inhibition of AChE (IC₅₀ = 77 μg/ml), whereas C. anisata oil was not effective. These findings provide new evidences supporting the ethno-botanical use of these two Cameroonian plants, and their possible application even in synergistic binary blends, to develop new eco-friendly, safe and effective herbal insecticides.

In Vitro Bioactivity of Methanolic Extracts from Amphipterygium adstringens (Schltdl.) Schiede ex Standl., Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Cirsium mexicanum DC., Eryngium carlinae F. Delaroche, and Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. Used in Traditional Medicine in Mexico

Seven out of eight methanolic extracts from five plants native to Mexico were inactive against ten bacterial strains of clinical interest. The fruit extract of Chenopodium ambrosioides inhibited the bacteria Enterococcus faecalis (MIC = 4375 μg/ml), Escherichia coli (MIC = 1094 μg/ml), and Salmonella typhimurium (MIC = 137 μg/ml). The fruit extract of C. ambrosioides was with CC₅₀ = 45 μg/ml most cytotoxic against the cell-line Caco-2, followed by the leaf extract from Pithecellobium dulce (CC₅₀ = 126 μg/ml); interestingly, leaves of C. ambrosioides (CC₅₀ = 563 μg/ml) and bark of P. dulce (CC₅₀ = 347 μg/ml) extracts were much less cytotoxic. We describe for the first time the cytotoxic effect from extracts of the aerial parts and the flowers of Cirsium mexicanum (CC₅₀ = 323 μg/ml and CC₅₀ = 250 μg/ml, resp.). Phytochemical analysis demonstrated for both extracts high tannin and saponin and low flavonoid content, while terpenoids were found in the flowers. For the first time we report a cytotoxicological study on an extract of Eryngium carlinae (CC₅₀ = 356 μg/ml) and likewise the bark extract from Amphipterygium adstringens (CC₅₀ = 342 μg/ml). In conclusion the fruit extract of C. ambrosioides is a potential candidate for further biological studies.

In vitro activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Chenopodium ambrosioides against engorged females of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus

ABSTRACT: Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, known as the cattle tick, is a cause of great economic losses for dairy cattle farming because of its high frequency of occurrence and the difficulty in controlling it. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of Chenopodium ambrosioides extract on R. (B.) microplus. For this purpose, 125 females were selected and classified into five groups according to their weight, in order to ensure that the females used presented homogeneous weight. The treatments comprised 40 and 60% extracts of Chenopodium ambrosioides, distilled water, ethanol (70ºGL) and 12.5% amitraz. The extracts of C. ambrosioides (40 and 60%) showed effectiveness of 99.7 and 100% and higher percentages of dead females than the other treatments: 64 and 96%, respectively (p<0.001). In the groups exposed to distilled water and ethanol (70º GL), 92 and 88% of the females maintained oviposition. In the females exposed to 40 and 60% extracts, oviposition of 36 and 4% occurred, respectively. It was concluded that the extract of Chenopodium ambrosioides, at both concentration evaluated, had high efficiency against engorged females of cattle ticks.