Identification and phenology of Hyalesthes obsoletus (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cixiidae) nymphal instars.[Pubmed: 22360966]

Urtica dioica and Convolvulus arvensis are the main host plants of Hyalesthes obsoletus and play an important role in the epidemiology of Bois noir of grapevines. The earliest survey, which was carried out to compare the phenology of nymphal instars on U. dioica and C. arvensis, had highlighted some problems in the identification of the instars. Therefore, the correct identification of nymphs to species and instar level became a preliminary aim of this research. Adults and nymphs attributable to H. obsoletus were collected during 2008-2010 in three flatland vineyard habitats of northern Italy on U. dioica, C. arvensis and Artemisia verlotorum. Nymphs and morphologically identified adults of H. obsoletus were submitted to molecular identification. Morphometric and morphological studies were carried out on nymphs collected in the field or obtained in laboratory rearings. Molecular methods not only confirmed the identity of adults, but also allowed the assignment of the nymphs to this species. Morphometric and morphological characteristics (e.g. body and head-thoracic lengths, number of thoracic pits) showed the existence of five nymphal instars. Morphometric differences between newly hatched and older first-instar nymphs were observed. A key to distinguish the five instars was proposed. Evident differences between H. obsoletus nymphs studied here and elsewhere were identified. According to differences in adult-flight period, an earlier phenology of nymphs on C. arvensis than on U. dioica was observed. In particular, the typical overwintering instar was the second on U. dioica and the third on C. arvensis.

Antifungal activity of essential oils from leaves and flowers of Inula viscosa (Asteraceae) by Apulian region.[Pubmed: 12701377]

Some essential oils from several plants (Artemisia verlotorum, Lavandula augustifolia, Ocimum gratissimum) have proved to have acaricidal, antifungal and antibacterial activity. Inula viscosa Ait. (Asteraceae), a plant growing spontaneously in the Mediterranean area, is currently used by popular medicine for its therapeutic effects. Flavonoids, azulenes, sesquiterpenes, and essential oils have been isolated and identified from its leaves. This paper reports the results of the composition and antifungal activity in vitro against dermatophytes and Candida spp. of the four essential oils obtained by steam distillation of the leaves, flowers, whole plant and whole plants without flower extracts of I. viscosa. All the extracts proved to have a significant antifungal activity against dermatophytes even at low concentrations (0.01 mg/ml). The leaf extracts exhibited the greatest antifungal efficacy. The high concentration of the sesquiterpene (carboxyeudesmadiene), occurring in the leaf extracts, may explain its greater antifungal activity.

Vascular effects of aqueous crude extracts of Artemisia verlotorum Lamotte (Compositae): in vivo and in vitro pharmacological studies in rats.[Pubmed: 10594931]

Artemisia verlotorum Lamotte (Compositae), growing in almost all the northern hemisphere, is used in folk medicine of some countries of Tuscany, Italy, as a remedy for hypertension. The pharmacological evaluation of the responses evoked by an aqueous dried extract of Artemisia verlotorum on the blood pressure of anaesthetized rats and on in vitro rat isolated aortae showed a marked, but transient, hypotensive activity. This effect was mediated by a strong vasodilator action, closely linked to the release of endothelial nitric oxide and to the nitric oxide-guanosine 3'-5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) pathway, caused by a muscarinic receptor agonism.

Antimycotic activity against Saprolegnia ferax of extracts of Artemisia verlotorum and Santolina etrusca.[Pubmed: 10353169]

Methanol and aqueous extracts of Artemisia verlotorum and Santolina etrusca were screened in vitro against Saprolegnia ferax and for all extracts the MIC were determined. Screening was performed also on two fractions of the aqueous extracts.

Evaluation of the central properties of Artemisia verlotorum.[Pubmed: 8372149]

The anticonvulsive activity of the crude hydroalcoholic extract (HE) of Artemisia verlotorum (Compositae) was analysed as a part of a psychopharmacological screening of this plant. High doses of HE (2 g/kg) prevented the onset of electroshock (75 mA, 60 Hz) and pentylenetetrazole-induced (75 mg/kg i.p.) convulsions and also increased the latencies to convulsions induced by 3-mercaptopropionic acid (30 mg/kg i.p.) and pilocarpine (400 mg/kg i.p.) in mice. In addition, HE caused marked hypothermic and analgesic effects in these animals. Thus, the HE of A. verlotorum showed a protective effect against experimental convulsions elicited by various agents, as well as analgesic and hypothermic actions. These findings partially support the popular use of Artemisia verlotorum as an anticonvulsant and analgesic.