Inhibition of insect nerve cord phosphorylase activity by 5-hydroxytryptamine

Zusammenfassung Die Phosphorylaseaktivität der in vitro mit 1×10^–4 M 5-Hydroxytryptamine inkubierten Insektennervenstränge war bedeutsam verringert. Der Effekt schien konzentrationsabhängig zu sein, da er sich mit steigender 5-HT-Konzentration verstärkte. 5-HT verminderte die aktive Form des Enzyms im Verhältnis zu dessen inaktiver Form. Epinephrin hatte keine Wirkung.     

Synergism of a natural insect growth inhibitor is mediated by bioactivation

Summary Toxic plant allelochemicals are widespread in nature, but their mechanisms of action are largely unexplored. We report an example of bioactivation of a natural product, -asarone, that is mediated via insect mixed-function oxidases (MFO's), enzymes usually involved in detoxication processes. Bioactivity of -asarone is synergised by menthol, a MFO inducer, and antagonized by the MFO inhibitor piperonyl butoxide. Formation of a bioactive epoxide was confirmed by the identification of asarone epoxide and asarone diol in the insect excreta. These experiments represent the first demonstration of synergism between two natural products (-asarone and menthol) where the mechanism involves induction of enzymes usually involved in detoxication.     

A possible role for histamine in larval growth

Résumé Le rôle possible de l'histamine au cours de la croissance larvaire a été étudié. L'inhibition de l'oxydase des diamines au moyen de l'aminoguanidine, a fortement ralenti la croissance larvaire duTribolium confusum. Cette substance, cependant, ne s'est pas avérée toxique. D'autre part l'inhibition des décarboxylases par le semicarbazide ou le deoxypyridoxine ne modifie pas la croissance sans devenir toxique.     

Inhibition of poliovirus growth by 2-amino-4,6-dichloropyrimidine

Riassunto La 2-amino-4,6-dicloropirimidina impedisce la formazione di proteine capsidiche capaci di organizzare con lo RNA virale particelle di poliovius complete ed infettanti.

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This work has been supported by a grant of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche.     

Inhibition of the growth of cariogenic bacteria in vitro by plant falvanones

Phytoalexins, defensive compounds produced by plants against microbial infections, were purified fromSophora exigua (Leguminosae) and their growth inhibitory effects on oral cariogenic bacteria were determined in vitro. Among three isolated compounds, 5,7,2,4-tetrahydroxy-8-lavandulylflavanone completely inhibited the growth of oral bacteria including primary cariogenic mutans streptococci, other oral streptococci, actinomycetes, and lactobacilli, at concentrations of 1.56 to 6.25 g/ml.     

Pinitol,a larval growth inhibitor forHeliothis zea in soybeans

Summary A search for insect growth inhibitors in methanol extracts of soybean leaves resulted in isolation of pinitol. Pinitol caused a 50% reduction in weight gain (ED₅₀) ofHeliothis zea larvae at about 0.7% when added to a synthetic diet. Although myo-inositol is a normal component of the insect diet, it also caused growth inhibition at higher concentrations; ED₅₀4%.The authors are indebted to R.J. Molyneux for a reference sample of pinitol and to J. Baker for aid with the bioassay. Reference to a company and/or product named by the Department is only for purposes of information and does not imply approval or recommendation of the product to the exclusion of others which may also be suitable.     

Inhibition of tumor-induced angiogenesis and of tumor growth by activated lymphocytes

Summary Inhibition in angiogenesis (neo-vascularization) and of growth of a tumor piece graft in the anterior chamber of the eye of mice have been observed in the presence of activated syngeneic lymphocytes.Acknowledgment. The authors are thankful to ICMR, New Delhi, for financial assistance and to Mr N.C. Ghosh for illustration.     

Inhibition by SMS 201-995 of normal mammary gland growth in mice

Twice daily s.c. injection of 5 ng or 50 ng of SMS 201-995 between 25 and 55 days of age induced a significant retardation of normal mammary gland growth in C3H/He virgin mice, associated with the reduced plasma GH level. Meanwhile, plasma prolactin level and the pattern of estrous cycle were affected little by SMS treatments. The results indicate an involvement of GH in normal mammary gland growth in mice.     

Inhibition by SMS 201-995 of normal mammary gland growth in mice

Summary Twice daily s.c. injection of 5 ng or 50 ng of SMS 201-995 between 25 and 55 days of age induced a significant retardation of normal mammary gland growth in C3H/He virgin mice, associated with the reduced plasma GH level. Meanwhile, plasma prolactin level and the pattern of estrous cycle were affected little by SMS treatments. The results indicate an involvement of GH in normal mammary gland growth in mice.     

Inhibition of pancreatic cancer cell growth

Pancreatic cancer cells are resistant to the growth-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of conventional chemotherapeutic agents. There are multiple genetic and epigenetic events during the process of carcinogenesis that enable the cancer cells to avoid normal growth constraints and apoptosis. Investigation of the mechanisms involved has led to multiple strategies that encourage cell death and apoptosis to occur. The pathways involved are summarized in this review, together with some recently developed strategies to promote cell death in this cancer.     

Pinitol, a larval growth inhibitor for Heliothis zea in soybeans

A search for insect growth inhibitors in methanol extracts of soybean leaves resulted in isolation of pinitol. Pinitol caused a 50% reduction in weight gain (ED50) of Heliothis zea larvae at about 0.7% when added to a synthetic diet. Although myo-inositol is a normal component of the insect diet, it also caused growth inhibition at higher concentrations; ED50 4%.     

Inhibition of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) growth by carbonyl iron

Summary Treatment of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells with carbonyl iron (20 mg/ml) produces a significant decrease in growth rate of tumor inoculum both in Swiss and in C57BL/6 mice. Possible interaction of the carbonyl iron or Fe⁺⁺⁺ions with cell surface is suggested.Supported by a grant from the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche.Acknowledgments. The authors are grateful to Dr M. M. Clynes (University College, Dublin, Ireland) for his helpful discussion.     

Inhibition by syngenic erythrocytes of in vitro growth of colonics from murine bone marrow cells

Summary The growth of colonies from murine bone marrow cells in soft agar cultures was found to be inhibited by 0.1 ml or more 50% washed syngenic erythrocyte suspension per 1.2 ml culture volume.     

A simple method for in vivo testing of glandular enzymatic activity on potential precursors of larval defensive compounds inPhratora species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelinae)

The presence of glandular -glucosidase and oxidase-specific activities, and the possible role of phenolglucosides and related compounds as precursors for larval defensive compounds, were directly demonstrated by introducing salicin, saligenin and helicin into the defensive glands ofPhratora species.Ph. tibialis andPh. laticollis that normally secrete endogenously-produced iridoid monoterpenes and do not use phenolglucosides from their food sources as precursors, were able to produce salicyladehyde from helicin when the latter was introduced into the defensive glands.     

Reversal of metamorphosis in mealy bugs treated with juvenile hormone-active insect growth regulator

Summary Anal pore-plates are a typical adult characteristic of male mealy bugs. Nymphs treated with a juvenile hormone-active insect growth regulator moult several times into intermediary forms between nymph and adult. The number of the anal pores is reduced during each of these supernumerary moults.Presented at the XVth International Congress of Entomology, Washington DC 1976.Acknowledgments. We wish to express our thanks to Sir Vincent B. Wigglesworth and Mr M. Gruber for revision of the text and to Mr M. Dickenmann and Mrs B. Mühlemann for technical assistance.     

Suppression of pupal esterase activity in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) by an insect growth regulator.

Changes in non-specific esterases of Aedes aegypti were noted during pupal development. One esterase band was found to increase markedly within 3 h of pupation and this increase in activity was suppressed by prior treatment of larvae with an insect growth regulator, ZR 515. It is suggested that the esterase activity may help to reduce endogenous levels of juvenile hormone during metamorphosis and that the growth regulator may prevent this normal regulation.     

Inhibition of growth of the seedlings ofPhaseolus radiatus Linn. by N-benzyl orthofluorophenoxy acetamide — A new growth retardant

Zusammenfassung Die Wirkung des N-benzyl-Derivates von Orthofluorophenoxyacetamid als Wachstumshemmer wird beschrieben.