The toxicity of melissa and savory essential oil constituents against adult Bemisia tabaci was examined using vapor-phase toxicity bioassay. Results were compared with those following the treatment with currently used insecticide dichlorvos. As judged by 24 h LC50 values, thymol (0.59×10-3 mg/cm3) was the most toxic constituent, followed by cavacrol (0.60×10-3 mg/cm3). These compounds were slightly less toxic than dichlorvos (LC50, 0.20×10-3 mg/cm3). Strong activity was also obtained from borneol (LC50, 1.06×10-3 mg/cm3), α-terpineol (1.22×10-3 mg/cm3), geraniol (1.23×10-3 mg/cm3), linalool (1.33×10-3 mg/cm3), lavendulol (1.44×10-3 mg/cm3), nerol (1.52×10-3 mg/cm3), β-citronellol (1.81×10-3 mg/cm3), terpinene-4-ol (1.87×10-3 mg/cm3), 1-octen-3-ol (2.06×10-3 mg/cm3), and citral (2.34×10-3 mg/cm3). The melissa and savory essential oil-derived compounds, particularly thymol and carvacrol, merit further study as potential insecticides for the control of B. tabaci.

The toxicity of materials derived from dried fruit of Cnidium monnieri against early third instar larvae of Culex pipiens pallens was examined using direct contact mortality bioassay. Results were compared with those of currently used mosquito larvicide, temephos. The bioactive principle was identified as xanthotoxol by spectroscopic analysis. As judged by 24 h LD50 value, xanthotoxol was highly effective (4.40 ppm), although this compound was less toxic than temephos (0.16 ppm). C. monnieri fruit-derived materials, particularly xanthotoxol, merit further study as potential mosquito larvicides for protection from humans and domestic animals from vector-borne diseases and nuisance caused by mosquitoes.

The toxicity of Kaempferia galanga rhizome materials and constituents against Meloidogyne incognita second‐stage juveniles (J2) and eggs were examined. The active principles of K. galanga rhizome were identified as the phenylpropanoids ethyl (E)‐cinnamate (EC, 1) and ethyl (E)‐p‐methoxycinnamate (EMC, 2) by spectroscopic analysis. Results were compared with those of carbofuran, fosthiazate, and metam‐sodium. In direct‐contact mortality bioassay, EC (LC50, 0.037 mg/ml) was the most toxic constituent, followed by EMC (0.041 mg/ml). EC was more effective than carbofuran (LC50, 0.092 mg/ml) but less active than fosthiazate (0.002 mg/ml). EC, egg hatch was inhibited 100, 93, and 87% at 125, 62.5, and 31.25 μg/ml, respectively. EMC caused 100, 81, and 75% inhibition of egg hatch at 125, 62.5, and 31.25 μg/ml, respectively. The inhibition of two phenylpropanoids were similar or more inhibition to that of either carbofuran or metam‐sodium but was lower than that of fosthiazate. In contact + fumigant mortality bioassay, EC and EMC treatments resulted in 86 and c 73% mortality at 0.5 and 0.125 mg/g soil, respectively. The lethality of these phenylpropanoids was almost similar to that of either carbofuran or metam‐sodium but was lower than that of fosthiazate. In vapor‐phase mortality bioassay, EC and EMC were more effective in closed container than open containers, indicating that the mode of delivery of these compounds was, in part, a result of vapor action. K. galanga rhizome‐derived materials, merit further study as potential nematicides and hatching inhibitors for the control of M. incognita populations.

One hundred seven plant essential oils were tested for insecticidal activities against Bemisia tabaci B and Q biotype adults, using the fumigation and direct spray methods. In the fumigation assay with the Q biotype adults, garlic oil was the most toxic (1.5×10-3 μl/cm3) on the basis of the LC50 value. Clove leaf, thyme, oregano (origanum), clove bud, savory, cinnamon bark, dabana, vetiver haiti and catnip essential oils also gave potent toxicity with the range of 1.7 to 4.5×10-3 μl/cm3 of LC50 values. These essential oils showed similar strong toxicity against B biotype. Based on the results obtained from fumigation test, nine plant essential oils were selected for the direct spray application at three concentrations (0.5, 0.1 and 0.02%). A litter difference was obtained between B and Q types in mortality to the tested oils. At the 0.5% concentration, they gave considerable mortality of 76 to 100%. At 0.1%, only garlic essential oil produced 96 to 100% mortality, but the others showed less than 76% mortality. Several plant essential oils appear to be candidates for the control of B. tabaci.

The larvicidal activity of materials from Ostericum koreanum (Apiaceae) root against late 3rd or early 4th instar larvae of Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens pallens was examined using standard WHO technique under laboratory conditions. Results were compared with those of temephos. The biologically active constituents of O. koreanum root were characterized as four coumarines; isoimperatorin (I), osthol (II), oxypeucedanin (III) and imperatorin (IV) by spectroscopic analysis, including EI-MS, LC-MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy. On the basis of 24-hr LC50 values, osthol among these four coumarines was the most toxic against Ae. aegypti (1.97 ppm) and Cx. pipiens pallens (1.87 ppm) larvae, but its activity was less than temephos (0.0047 and 0.013 ppm, respectively). LC50 values of isoimperatorin, oxypeucedanin and imperatorin derived from O. koreanum root against Ae. aegypti larvae were 2.46, 6.92 and 2.17 ppm, and against Cx. pipiens pallens larvae, were 1.99, 5.04 and 3.68 ppm. The results indicate that both materials and coumarines from O. koreanum root have potential to be used for mosquito control.

The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition of 12 plant-derived insecticidal compounds (anethol, anisaldehyde, 3-carene, 1,8-cineol, ethyl-cinnamate, linalool, magnolol, ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate, p-methoxycinamic acid, safrol, terpinen-4-ol, and α-terpineol) towards adult mosquitoes were examined by using Ellman method. Result were compared with those of dichlorvos, a potent AChE inhibitor. 3-Carene strongly inhibited AChE (IC50, 5.78×10-4 M), although the inhibition of the compound was lower than dichlorvos (IC50, 1.45×10-4 M). These results indicate that 3-carene acts as an AChE inhibitor, although an involvement of other insecticidal mechanism(s) might not be ruled out.

We recently described a novel animal model of trigeminal neuropathic pain following compression of the trigeminal ganglion (Ahn et al., 2009). In our present study, we adapted this model using male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 250-260 g and then analyzed the behavioral responses of these animals following modified chronic compression of the trigeminal ganglion. Under anesthesia, the rats were mounted onto a stereotaxic frame and a 4% agar solution (10μL) was injected in each case on the dorsal surface of the trigeminal ganglion to achieve compression without causing injury. In the control group, the rats received a sham operation without agar injection. Air-puff, acetone, and heat tests were performed at 3 days before and at 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 30, 40, 55, and 70 days after surgery. Compression of the trigeminal ganglion produced nociceptive behavior in the trigeminal territory. Mechanical allodynia was established within 3 days and recovered to preoperative levels at approximately 60 days following compression. Mechanical hyperalgesia was also observed at 7 days after compression and persisted until the postoperative day 40. Cold hypersensitivity was established within 3 days after compression and lasted beyond postoperative day 55. In contrast, compression of the trigeminal ganglion did not produce any significant thermal hypersensitivity when compared with the sham operated group. These findings suggest that compression of the trigeminal ganglion without any injury produces prolonged nociceptive behavior and that our rat model is a useful system for further analysis of trigeminal neuralgia.

The toxicity of Kaempferia galanga rhizome-derived methanol extract (RME), powder (RP) and steam distillate (RSD) to Meloidogyne incognita second-stage juveniles (J2) and eggs and their effects on Lycopersicon esculentum germination and growth were examined in vitro and in pot experiments. Results were compared with those of three nematicides. In contact+fumigant bioassays with J2, RME applied at 1, 0.5 and 0.25mg/g soil exhibited 92, 88, and 73% mortality, respectively. The lethality of RME was almost similar to that of carbofuran but lower than that of either fosthiazate or metam-sodium. RSD and RP were less active than RME. In vapor-phase mortality bioassayswith J2, the test materials were effective in closed container than in open one, indicating that mode of delivery was, in part, a result of vapor action. RME, RSD, and fosthiazate treatments resulted in 91, 100, and 95% inhibition of egg hatch at 250μg/ml and 82, 88, and 81% inhibition of egg hatch at 100μg/ml, respectively. In filter-paper bioassays with L. esculentum seed at 8.8μg/cm2, RME and RP did not cause germination inhibition, while RSD and fosthiazate treatments resulted in 84 and 13% germination inhibition. In pot tests, RME and RSD applied at 8mg/g soil reduced galling caused by M. incognita significantly and fosthiazate at 0.02mg/g soil reduced galling completely. Rhizome materials did not cause any adverse effect on growth of L. esculentum, while fosthiazate application caused significantly reduced root weight. K. galanga rhizome-derived materials, particularly methanol extract, merit further study as potential nematicides and hatching inhibitors for the control of M. incognita populations as fumigants with contact action.

The toxicity of Asarum heterotropoides root steam distillate compounds to third instar larvae of Culex pipiens pallens, Aedes aegypti, and Ochlerotatus togoi (formerly Aedes togoi) was examined using a direct contact mortality bioassay. Results were compared with those following the treatment with fenthion and temephos. A. heterotropoides root steam distillate exhibited good larvicidal activity (21.07-27.64 ppm), based on LC50 values. Potent activity was produced by safrole (LC50, 8.22-16.10 ppm), terpinolene (11.85-15.32 ppm), -terpinene (12.64-17.11 ppm), (–)-β-pinene (12.87-18.03 ppm), (+)-limonene (13.26-24.47 ppm), 3-carene (13.83-19.19 ppm), and α-phellandrene (13.84-23.08 ppm), although the larvicidal activity of these compounds was less toxic than either fenthion (LC50, 0.023-0.029) or temephos (0.016-0.020). A. heterotropoides root steam distillate and its constituents described merit further study as potential mosquito larvicides for protection from humans and domestic animals from vector-borne diseases and nuisance caused by mosquitoes.

The repellency to female Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) of 21 essential oils alone or in combination with Calophyllum inophyllum nut oil (tamanu oil) was examined using a skin bioassay. Results were compared with those following treatment with the commonly used repellent DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide). As judged by the protection time (PT) to first bite at 0.5 mg cm-2, patchouli (3.67 h) was the most effective essential oil, followed by clove bud, lovage root, clove leaf and thyme white essential oils (3.50-2.12 h). Thyme red, oregano and geranium essential oils exhibited moderate protection time (PT, 1.24-1.11 h). At 0.25 mg cm-2, effective protection time of clove bud, clove leaf and lovage root essential oils was about 1 h. The protection times of DEET were 4.47 and 2.17h at 0.5 and 0.25 mg cm-2 respectively. The remarkable increase in the protection time were produced by binary mixtures of five essential oils (clove bud, clove leaf, thyme white, patchouli and savory) and tamanu oil (0.25:2.0 mg cm-2) compared with those of either the constituted essential oil, tamanu oil or DEET alone, indicating the involvement in synergy. These essential oils, tamanu oil and binary mixtures did not cause any adverse effects on the human volunteers at 0.5 mg cm-2 except savory oil. Thus binary mixtures of essential oils and tamanu oil described merit further study as potential insect repellents for protection from humans and domestic animals from biting and nuisance caused by S. calcitrans.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of peripheral nitric oxide (NO) pathways in the onset of interleukin (IL)-1β-induced mechanical allodynia in the orofacial area. Experiments were carried out on male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 230-280 gm and surgical procedures were performed under pentobarbital sodium (40 mg/kg, i.p.). Under anesthesia, a polyethylene tube (PE10) was implanted into the subcutaneous area of one vibrissa pad, which enabled the injection of IL-1β or other chemicals. We subcutaneously injected 50 μL of IL-1β into a vibrissa pad through the implanted polyethylene tube with a 100 Hamilton syringe. After the administration of 0.01, 0.1, 1, or 10 pg of IL-1β, withdrawal behavioral responses were examined. The subcutaneous injection of saline had no effects on the air-puff thresholds. Following the subcutaneous injection of 0.01, 0.1, 1, or 10 pg of IL-1, the threshold of air puffs decreased significantly to 12± 3, 7 ± 2, 5 ±1, or 5 ± 1 psi, respectively, in a dose dependent manner. Pretreatment with L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, blocked IL-1β-induced mechanical allodynia. However, neither D-NAME, an inactive isomer of L-NAME, nor vehicle affected the IL-1β-induced mechanical allodynia. Subcutaneous injection of IL-1 increased the number of c-fos-like immunoreactive neurons, whereas pretreatment with L-NAME decreased this number, in the trigeminal caudal nucleus. These results suggest that pro-inflammatory cytokines and NO are important contributors to the pathogenesis of persistent and exaggerated IL-1β-induced pain states. Based on these observations, peripheral application of NOS inhibitors may be of therapeutic value in treating pain disorders in the clinic.

Titanium carbides are widely used for cutting tools and grinding wheels, because of their superior physical properties such as high melting temperature, high hardness, high wear resistance, good thermal conductivity and excellent thermal shock resistance. The common synthesizing method for the titanium carbide powders is carbo-thermal reduction from the mixtures of titanium oxide() and carbon black. The purpose of the present research is to fabricate nano TiC powders using titanium salt and titanium hydride by the mechanochemical process(MCP). The initial elements used in this experiment are liquid (99.9%), (99.9%) and active carbon(<, 99.9%). Mg powders were added to the solution in order to induce the reaction with Cl-. The weight ratios of the carbon and Mg powders were theoretically calculated. The TiC and powders were milled in the planetary milling jar for 10 hours. The 40 nm TiC powders were fabricated by wet milling for 4 hours from the +C+Mg solution, and 300 nm TiC particles were obtained by using titanium hydride.

In order to determine whether green tea tannin ameliorates abnormal arginine metabolism as the result of excessive arginine, we have assessed the effects of the administration of green tea tannin mixture in rats treated 30 days with 2% arginine. In the arginine-treated group, the level of guanidino compounds such as arginine (Arg), guanidinoacetic acid (GAA), creatinine (Cr), methylguanidine (MG) and guanidinosuccinic acid (GSA), nitric oxide, urea, protein and glucose increased significantly in the serum, urine and kidney, whereas the oxygen species-scavenging enzymes of kidney were reduced as compared with the non-argmme-treated group. By way of contrast, the administration of green tea tannin reduced blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, and reduced the urinary excretion of guanidinoacetic acid, creatinine, and NO2-+NO3-. The increased levels of urinary urea, protein and glucose in the arginine-treated group were also lowered by the administration of green tea tannin. In these groups, the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the kidneywere increased, thereby suggesting the involvement of radicals in the normalizing of kidney function. These results show that the abnormal renal function induced by the adminstration of excessive arginine in rats may be restored by treatment with green tea tannin.

In view of the recently increased interest in developing plant-origin insecticides are an alternative to chemical insecticides. This study was undertaken to assess the larvicidal potential of the two (H52C1 and H5C) compounds from Asarum sieboldii Miq. against dengue vector Aedes aegypti. Among the two compounds, compound I (H52C1) was most active than the compound II (H5C) against third instar larvae of Ae. aegypti. The LC50 value of the compound I was 2.03 (95% CL, 1.51-2.76) and the compound II was 10.66 (95% CL, 9.23-12.42). These findings would be useful in promoting research aiming at the development of new agents for mosquito larval control based on bioactive chemical compounds from plant origin.

Changes in stress-associated biomolecules can be used as an important criterion for assessing the levels of environmental pollution because living organisms demonstrate contamination-stimulated stress responses. This study was conducted to determine the e