Human Leptin R(Leptin receptor) ELISA Kit

Phytoinsecticides are considered as an effective and environment friendly alternative to synthetic chemicals for integrated pest management. Asteraceae, the largest plant family is well known for its enormously diverse characteristic content of sesquiterpene lactones. In this study the biological activity of hexane extract of Inula racemosa (Hook) was evaluated against Spodoptera litura (Fabricius). The extract exhibited larvicidal and growth inhibitory activities. A moderate antifeedant effect was recorded with maximum feeding deterrence of 24.85% at 1500x202f;ppm of the extract. Diet supplemented with 1500-2000x202f;ppm of the extract induced significantly higher mortality in S. litura larvae compared to control. All concentrations showed a very strong growth inhibitory effect in a dose dependent manner. The highest concentration (2500x202f;ppm) extended the development of S. litura by 21.06 days relative to control. Due to toxic effects of I. racemosa, the adult emergence decreased significantly at concentrations ranging between 1500-2500x202f;ppm. Sublethal effects of the extract were also manifested as morphological deformities in larvae and pupae of S. litura. Nutritional assay studies indicated reduction in growth and consumption rate as well as utilization of ingested and digested food when plant extract was fed to larvae, suggesting both antifeedant and toxic activities. The hexane extract of I. racemosa has significant influence on relative metabolic rate, causing higher metabolic cost to S. litura.

Although Ma Huang Tang (MHT) has long been considered as a classical formula for respiratory infections like influenza, bronchitis and asthma, its chemical ingredients that really exert the main efficacy are still obscure. In this study we aimed to screen its antiviral components and investigate the potential mechanisms. The MDCK cellular research results showed that, among nine predominant ingredients of MHT, L-methylephedrin (LMEP), L-ephedrine (LEP) and D-pseudo- ephedrine (DPEP) significantly inhibited the proliferation of influenza A virus in vitro, and the inhibitory effect at 24 h after the treatment was more obvious than that at 48 h. They also significantly inhibited the mRNA expression levels of related genes in the TLR3, TLR4 and TLR7 signaling pathways, which were accompanied with the down-regulation of TNF-alpha level and the up-regulation of IFN-beta level in the cell supernatant. Therefore, three Ephedra alkaloids exert an antiviral effect in vitro which may be closely related to the inhibition of viral replication and the modulation of inflammatory response. Animal research further indicated, at the 3rd and 7th days after infection, LEP and DPEP significantly attenuated lung injury, decreased lung index, virus load in the lung and the level of IL-1 beta in serum, inhibited the mRNA expression levels of TNF-alpha, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, MyD88, NF-kappa B p65 and RIG-1 as well as the protein expression levels of TLR4, TLR7, MyD88 and NF-kappa B p65 and markedly increased thymus index, the level of IL-10 in serum and the mRNA expression level of IFN-gamma. LEP and DPEP have certain protective effects on the influenza virus-infected mice, which may be associated with their abilities of effectively alleviating lung injury, improving the immunologic function of infected mice and adjusting the host's TLRs and RIG-1 pathways. The overall findings demonstrate that, as effective and inexpensive natural substances, Ephedra alkaloids and MHT may have potential utility in clinical management.