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Monday 29 July 2019

CFP: ISEE Sessions at the 2020 Central Meeting of the American Philosophical Association


Call for Papers
THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
ETHICS
2020 Central Meeting of the American Philosophical Association
Submissions are invited for the International Society for Environmental Ethics Group Sessions at the 2020 Central Division Meeting of the American Philosophical Association at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, IL (February 26-29, 2020).
Research in any area of philosophy related to or concerning environmental issues is welcomed, but special consideration will be given to work in the areas of climate change & climate justice, energy & energy justice, and mass extinction.
ISEE is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we welcome submissions from all, including scholars of color, LGTBQ scholars, indigenous scholars, and other scholars from communities underrepresented in the profession.
We invite submissions for individual papers (presentations of approximately 20 minutes) as well as themed sessions (topical discussions, panels, author-meets-critics, etc…)
Submission Procedure:
  • Please submit materials by the end of the day on August 30th, 2019.
  • For individual papers: please provide a 300-word abstract.
  • For themed sessions: please submit 1) the proposed session title, 2) a brief description (approximately 500 words) of the session including the names of all participants, and 3) titles for all papers. Individual paper abstracts are strongly encouraged, and all participants should be confirmed as willing to attend if the session goes forward.
  • Materials should be submitted in Microsoft Word or PDF format to: Megs Gendreau (ISEE Treasurer) at gendreau@centre.edu
  • Please include “ISEE/APA” in the subject line of your email and feel free to contact Megs if you have further questions or concerns.

Thursday 18 July 2019

Orchids as Aphrodisiac, Medicine or Food Authors: Teoh, Eng Soon

https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030182540



Did you know that Vanilla was formerly served as aphrodisiac by Cassanova and Madam Pompadour, and Elizabeth I loved its flavor?
This is the first book that provides a complete worldwide coverage of orchids being employed as aphrodisiacs, medicine or charms and food. Opening with an in-depth historical account of orchids (orchis Greek testicle), the author describes how the Theory of Signatures influenced ancient herbalists to regard terrestrial orchid tubers as aphrodisiacs. Doctors and apothecaries promoted it during the Renaissance. Usage of orchids in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Indian Ayurvedic Medicine; by Tibetan yogins and Amchi healers for longevity pills, tonics and aphrodisiacs; by Africans to prepare 'health promoting' chikanda  or as survival food when lost in the Australian bush are some highlights of the book. Early settlers in America  and the East Indies often relied on native remedies and employment of orchids for such needs is described.  Also covered are the search for medicinal compounds by scientists, attempts to prove the orchid's efficacy by experiment and the worry of conservationists. 

Sunday 14 July 2019

Ethnomedicinal studies on villages of Thenpuranadu, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract and figures
Aim: Herbal medicine is widely practiced throughout the world from time im-memorable. The aim of the present study is to document available medicinal plants, methods of preparation and major uses in the villages of Thenpuranadu and Pachamalai; a part of Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. Methods: Ethno medicinal survey was conducted among the villages of Thenpuranadu at Pachamalai a part of Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. Results: Several medicinal plants were recognized as medicinal source to cure many diseases. Study has revealed 50 medicinal plant species belonging to 29 families that are frequently used for treatment of more than 20 diseases by local traditional healers. In that 90% of the medicinal plants are dicotyledons and the remaining 10% are monocotyledons. These 50 plants comprise trees (40%), shrubs (36%), and herbs (24%). Most predominantly used plant part is leaves (36%) followed by bark (26%) and other parts of plants. The families Leguminosae (14%), Verbenaceae (10%), Euphorbiaceae (10%) occupied dominantly from that 29 families. The local traditional practitioners commonly used medicinal preparative method was decoction (40%) followed by infusion (20%) and etc show on. The local traditional practitioners handling common diseases to dreadful diseases like malaria, asthma and etc. But most successful cases of diseases cured by traditional practitioners are common cold, fever, cough (30%) followed by stomach problems (16%). Conclusion: Tribal communities of Thenpuranadu, Pachamalai a part of Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India used and also followed natural medicinal system from long time. However, there is a need to conserve and document a scientific data concerning the use of the medicinal plants for future generation.

Friday 12 July 2019

Phytochemical constituents and ethnopharmacological properties of Ageratum conyzoides L

Abstract
 2019 Jul 10. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6405. [Epub ahead of print]


Author information

1
Centre for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India.
2
Department of Botany, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India.
3
Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, India.

Abstract

Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae) is an invasive aromatic herb with immense therapeutic importance. The herb is distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. A. conyzoides has imparted numerous ethnomedicinal uses because it has been used to cure various ailments that include leprosy, skin disorders, sleeping sickness, rheumatism, headaches, dyspnea, toothache, pneumonia and many more. A number of phytoconstituents have been scrutinized such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, chromenes, and sterols from almost every part of this plant. These phytoconstituents have shown diverse pharmacological properties including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, anticancer, antiprotozoal, antidiabetic, spasmolytic, allelopathy, and many more. The plant A. conyzoides has provided a platform for doing pharmaceutical and toxicological research in order to isolate some promising active compounds and authenticate their safety in clinical uses. A. conyzoides provides principal information for advanced studies in the field of pharmaceutical industries and agriculture. Present review article describes the cytogenetics, ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicological aspects of A. conyzoides.

KEYWORDS:

Ageratum conyzoides; ageratochromene; pharmacology; phytochemistry; traditional uses
PMID:
 
31290201
 
DOI:
 
10.1002/ptr.6405

Thursday 11 July 2019

Arctium Species Secondary Metabolites Chemodiversity and Bioactivities

Arctium species are known for a variety of pharmacological effects due to their diverse volatile and non-volatile secondary metabolites. Representatives of Arctium species contain non-volatile compounds including lignans, fatty acids, acetylenic compounds, phytosterols, polysaccharides, caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, flavonoids, terpenes/terpenoids and volatile compounds such as hydrocarbons, aldehydes, methoxypyrazines, carboxylic and fatty acids, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Arctium species also possess bioactive properties such as anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-allergic, and anti-inflammatory effects. This review aims to provide a complete overview of the chemistry and biological activities of the secondary metabolites found in therapeutically used Arctium species. Summary of pharmacopeias and monographs contents indicating the relevant phytochemicals and therapeutic effects are also discussed, along with possible safety considerations.
… 

Friday 5 July 2019

Evaluation of the in vivo efficacy of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) seeds against gastrointestinal helminths of chickens

The present study was conducted to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of pumpkin seeds as an alternative natural anthelmintic for chickens. Ninety Philippine Jolo native chickens of mixed sexes, aged 4-5 months and weighing 1-2 kg, were randomly distributed into three treatment groups with 30 chickens per group. Control group A was fed basic mash feed, group B received feed mixed with ground pumpkin seeds (2 g/bird per day), and group C received mebendazole-medicated feed (30 mg/kg body weight). Fifteen randomly selected chickens from each group were euthanized and necropsied before treatment, and the remaining fifteen in each group were euthanized and necropsied at 3 days after the end of the treatment. Gastrointestinal worm and fecal egg counts were determined. Three genera of helminths were identified from necropsy: Ascaridia spp., Heterakis spp., and Raillietina spp. Results indicate that compared to mebendazole, pumpkin seed was moderately effective in reducing worm counts of Ascaridia spp. and Raillietina spp., marginally active in reducing worm counts of Heterakis spp., and moderately effective in reducing egg output of the worms. The results suggest that pumpkin seed has the potential to be used as an alternative anthelmintic for chickens.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332568083_Evaluation_of_the_in_vivo_efficacy_of_pumpkin_Cucurbita_pepo_seeds_against_gastrointestinal_helminths_of_chickens

Tuesday 2 July 2019

Antimicrobial, radical scavenging, and insecticidal activity of leaf and flower extracts of Couroupita guianensis Aubl.

Objectives: The objective of the present study was carried out to investigate antimicrobial, radical scavenging, and insecticidal activity of leaf and flower of Couroupita guianensis Aubl. (Lecythidaceae). Methods: Extraction of leaf and flower was carried out by maceration process using methanol. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of extracts was carried out by agar well-diffusion method and poisoned food technique, respectively. Radical scavenging activity of extracts was determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assays. Insecticidal activity of extracts was evaluated in terms of larvicidal and pupicidal effects against Aedes aegypti. Results: Leaf extract displayed marked antibacterial activity when compared to flower extract. Highest and least inhibitory activity of extracts was observed against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli, respectively. Both extracts displayed antifungal activity with highest activity exhibited by leaf extract. Highest and least susceptibility were shown by Curvularia sp. and Fusarium sp., respectively. Both extracts scavenged DPPH and ABTS radicals dose dependently. Leaf extract (IC50 = 19.61 μg/ml) caused marked DPPH radical scavenging potential than flower extract ((IC50= 257.13 μg/ml). IC50 value of ABTS radical inhibition of leaf and flower extract was found to be 7.63 and 53.34 μg/ml, respectively. Larvicidal and pupicidal activity by extracts was concentration dependent. The susceptibility of larvae and pupae to extract was in the order: 2nd instar larvae > 4th instar larvae > pupae. Leaf extract displayed marked insecticidal activity when compared to flower extract as revealed by lower LC50 values. Conclusion: Overall, leaf extract exhibited marked bioactivities than flower extract. The plant can be used to treat microbial infections and oxidative damage and to manage fungal diseases. The plant can be used against mosquito vectors which transmit arboviral diseases.
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