Sesquiterpenes from two Compositae plants as promising inhibitors to nuclear hormone receptor 3 of Tribolium castaneum

Essential oils (EOs) and their volatile secondary metabolites have been proved to be effective on storage pests control, while restricted on the application due to unclear mechanism. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and binding free energies analysis provided an effective approach to reveal mechanism on conformational calculation. In this work, the insecticidal and repellent capacities of Praxelis clematidea and Ageratum houstonianum oils and their main components identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were scientifically measured. Interestingly, P. clematidea oil exhibited strong fumigant toxicity against Tribolium castaneum (LC50 = 7.07 mg/L air). Moreover, two EOs exhibited over 80% repellent rate against T. castaneum at the highest concentration of 78.63 nL/cm2. Furthermore, hundreds of enzymes related to the regulation of biological processes of T. castaneum were screened to explore the underlying molecular mechanism and develop promising insecticides. Besides, top hits were subjected to MD simulations and binding free energies analysis to elucidate complex inter-molecular stability and affinity over simulated time. The results demonstrated that isolongifolene, δ-cadinene, β-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide were prioritized as they were establishing conserved and stable interactions with residues of nuclear hormone receptor 3 (TcHR3) of T. castaneum, which suggested that the four sesquiterpenes have potential to be promising insecticides on storage pests control.

Inhibition of EGR-1-dependent MMP1 transcription by ethanol extract of Ageratum houstonianum in HaCaT keratinocytes

Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) initiates the breakdown of matrix networks by cleaving fibrillar collagen during the pathophysiological progression of skin aging. Ageratum houstonianum ethanol extract (AHE) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine to treat external wounds and skin diseases. However, the mechanism of action underlying A. houstonianum-mediated modulation of skin aging has not been investigated. In this study, we evaluated the effect of AHE on MMP-1 expression in HaCaT keratinocytes. Gene expression was analyzed by Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), Quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR), gene promoter-reporter assay, and immunoblotting. We found that AHE abrogated TNFα-induced MMP1 expression at the transcriptional level via the suppression of ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-mediated Early Growth Response 1 (EGR1) expression. We also demonstrated that β-caryophyllene, a cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) agonist, is a functional component of the AHE that inhibits TNFα-induced EGR-1 and MMP1 expression. AHE exerts inhibitory activity on TNFα-induced MMP1 expression at the transcription level through EGR-1 downregulation in keratinocytes. β-Caryophyllene is a bioactive ingredient of AHE that is responsible for the inhibition of TNFα-induced EGR1 expression. β-Caryophyllene can be used as a potential agent to prevent inflammation-induced skin aging.

Compounds isolated from Ageratum houstonianum inhibit the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9): An oncoinformatics study

BACKGROUND

In osteosarcoma tissue, both MMP-2 and MMP-9 are over expressed compared to their expression in non-affected stromal tissue. Hence, gelatinases are attractive targets for anti-osteosarcoma drugs.

OBJECTIVE

To study the inhibitory activity of compounds isolated from Ageratum houstonianum against MMP-2 and MMP-9 by in-silico approach.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed docking study using 'Autodock 4.2' between 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid-bis (2-ethylhexyl) ester; squalene; 3,5-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl) phenol; pentamethyl tetrahydro-5H-chromene; (1, 4-cyclohexylphenyl) ethanone and 6-vinyl-7-methoxy-2,2-dimethylchromene with MMP-2 and MMP-9.

RESULTS

Among all six compounds isolated from Ageratum houstonianum, (1, 4-cyclohexylphenyl) ethanone showed the maximum potential as a putative inhibitor of both MMP-2 and MMP-9 enzymes with reference to ΔG (-7.95 and -8.2 kcal/mol, respectively) and Ki (1.48 and 0.98 μM, respectively) values. Total intermolecular energy of docking for (1, 4-cyclohexylphenyl) ethanone-MMP catalytic domain-interaction was found to be -8.55 kcal/mol for MMP-2 and -9.21 kcal/mol for MMP-9.

CONCLUSION

This study explores molecular interactions between human MMPs (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and six natural compounds. This study predicts that (1,4-cyclohexylphenyl) ethanone is a more efficient inhibitor of human MMP-2 and MMP-9 enzymes compared to the other natural compounds used in this study with reference to Ki and ΔG values.

Sensitivity of Bedding Plants to Southern Root-knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita Race 3

Thirty-two cultivars of 10 commonly-grown bedding plants, representing eight families, were evaluated for their response to infection by the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita race 3, under greenhouse conditions. Four ageratum cultivars, two marigold, and two salvia cultivars were rated resistant after exposure for 8 weeks. Four begonia, four celosia, one dianthus, one verbena, one vinca, and three pansy cultivars were susceptible. Three salvia, one begonia, one gerber, one verbena, and three vinca cultivars were slightly susceptible with an average of </= 1 gall per plant. Nematodes, at two initial population densities, affected the dry weights of only a few cultivars. The diversity of annual bedding plant germplasm available may provide adequate sources of resistance to this race of root-knot nematode.

Response of some common annual bedding plants to three species of meloidogyne

Twelve ornamental bedding plant cultivars were grown in soil infested with isolates of Meloidogyne incognita race 1, M. javanica, or M. arenaria race 1 in a series of tests in containers in a growth room. Root galling (0-5 scale) and eggs/plant were evaluated 8-10 weeks after soil infestation and seedling transplantation. Snapdragon, Antirrhinum majus cv. First Ladies, was extensively galled and highly susceptible (mean gall rating >/=4.2 and >/=14,500 eggs/plant), and Celosia argentea cv. Century Mix and Coleus blumei cv. Rainbow were susceptible (>1,500 eggs/plant) to all three Meloidogyne isolates. Response of Petunia x hybrida varied with cultivar and nematode isolate. Little or no galling or egg production from any Meloidogyne isolate was observed on Ageratum houstonianum cv. Blue Mink, Lobularia maritima cv. Rosie O'Day, or Tagetes patula cv. Dwarf Primrose. Galling was slight (mean rating </=2.0) but varied with nematode species on Dianthus chinensis cv. Baby Doll Mix, Salvia splendens cv. Bonfire, and Vinca rosea cv. Little Bright Eye. Verbena x hybrida cv. Florist was heavily infected (gall rating >4.0 and >/=7,900 eggs/plant) by M. javanica and M. arenaria but was nearly free of galling from M. incognita. Zinna elegans cv. Scarlet was nearly free of galling from M. incognita and M. arenaria but was susceptible (mean gall rating = 2.9; 3,400 eggs/plant) to M. javanica.