Screening Some Medicinal Plants Against Moroccan Watermelon Mosaic Virus
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Screening Some Medicinal Plants Against Moroccan Watermelon Mosaic Virus
ABSTRACT
The antiviral properties of plant leaf extracts from four species were studied. The extract was investigated for antiviral activity against the Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus on its host plant (Cocumba).
The results revealed that two plants (Phyllanthus amerus and Mirabiles jalapa) had antiviral properties. Ficus exaspirata and Citrus spp. were ineffective in inhibiting the virus.
Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus remains a big issue in cucubite agriculture in Africa.
Chapter one
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Plant viruses cause significant economic losses in several places throughout the world.
A virus is an infection agent that normally consists of nuclei and molecules in a protein coat, is too small to be seen under light microscopy, and can only reproduce within the living cells of a host. (Holmes 1939).
Viruses can be propagated through the direct transfer of sap from a damaged plant to a healthy one. This contact can occur during agricultural techniques, such as damage caused by tools or hands, or naturally, such as when an animal feeds on the plant.
The majority of plant-infecting viruses rely on insects to spread from one host to another; however, some remain connected with mouth parts and can be inoculated within seconds or minutes. (Martinus, 1898). This work does not address insect transmission, but rather mechanical inoculation.
1.2 Methods used to control plant viruses.
Plant viruses and virus illnesses have been studied for over a century, and significant emphasis has been placed on their control. However, this has been difficult to accomplish due to the absence of effective methods for healing virus-infected plants.
Chemotherapy, thermotherapy, and meristem-tip culture are effective, but they cannot be employed on a wide scale. (Brook, 1964). The primary aim has been to prevent or delay virus infection, or to mitigate its effects.
Several methods have been employed to attain these goals, including phyto-sanitation. (Including quarantine procedures, crop cleanliness, the use of virus-free plant materials, and eradication), modifications in crop practices, pesticide use for vector management, mild strain protection, and the use of resistant or tolerant types. (Sharkar, 1995).
Some viruses can be eradicated from infected plants using heat, meristem-tip therapy, or chemicals (Faccioli and Marami, 1998). These procedures are commonly utilised to produce virus-free plants of vegetatively propagated crops for future propagation.
It prevents plants from becoming infected, delays infection to a point where the crop is harmed, and reduces the impacts of infection. (Mink et al. 1998).
1.2.1 Ricinus Sp (Castor oil plant) is recognised as a member of the sponge family Euphobiaceae. The seeds of the Ricinus sp plant contain more than 45% oil. The aforementioned oil is widely utilised for a variety of applications.
It is used as a lubricant in high-speed engines and aircraft, as well as in the production of soap, translucent paper, printing ink, varnishes, linolilium, and plasticisers.
It’s also used for medicinal and lighting applications. It possesses antibacterial properties against gram-positive bacteria (Nuttall and Labuda, 2008).
1.2.2 Mirabilis Jalapa (The Four O’Clock Plant) is a member of the Nyctaginaleae family. It is a popular ornamental plant that comes in a variety of colours. Mirabilis Jalapa flowers are used to colour dishes, and the leaves can be cooked. It is used as emergency food.
It is used to produce dyes for cakes and jellies. It is also utilised in cosmetic manufacturing. It contains antiviral protein (MAP), which has been shown to function as an abortifacient in pregnant mice, impede call-free protein synthesis, and have an antiproliferative effect on tumour cells. (Wong et al. 2014).
1.2.3 Phyllanthus amerus is a member of the Euphorbiaceae family and is often known as the stone breaker. According to Nicole (1998), the plant extract from Phyllanthus has been used to destroy bacteria, expel stones, support kidneys, and cure malaria.
1.2.4 Adansonia Digitata: A member of the Malvaceae family. This species lives in the hot, dry savannahs of Sub-Saharan Africa. Common names include Baobab, monkey bread tree, dead-rat tree, and cream of taster tree.
The leaves are used fresh as a cooked vegetable or dried and ground as a component in soups and sauces. Seedlings’ branches and roots are also consumed. During times of famine, West Africans boil and eat the roots. It is employed as functional food for the well-being of rural communities, fodder for cattle, shelter for the living and the dead.
The bark of a digitata has previously been imported into Europe by the packing and paper industries, as well as for medicinal purposes. The cortex is known as Cael Cedra. It was used in place of quinine to decrease fever (Jardin, 1968).
1.2.5 Acalypha Indica belongs to the Euphorbialeae family. It is a common herb that can grow up to 75 cm tall and has ovate leaves. The leaves are cooked and eaten like vegetables.
This plant is highly valued in traditional medicine since it is thought to renew the body. It is effective for bronchitis, pneumonia, ashma, and pulmonary tuberculosis. It also has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties, both against human and plant pathogens. (Burkill. 1974).
1.3 Plant as reservoir of antiviral substances
Plants from Northern Nigeria that have a history of usage in both human and veterinary traditional medicine have been studied for antiviral activity and hypotoxicity. Most extracts have action against several viruses at dose rates ranging from 100 to 400 microg/100 microl (Mehesh, 2000).
Lawsonia Inermis, often known as Hemma or Mehindi in the oriental world, is an evergreen medium-sized shrub from the Hythraccere family. This herb has a well-documented traditional history of treating seizures, jaundice, and malignant ulcers.
Phytochemical studies on the henna plant have revealed the existence of various bioactive molecules, including isophumpagin, hipeol, 30-norlupan -3-01-20-one betuhennan, betuhennamic acid, and nstigmasterol, in the leaves and roots. Plant extracts have been shown to have antibacterial, antioxidant, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic properties (Keyvan 2008).
1.4 Morocan water melons. Mosaic virus: The moroceam water melon mosaic virus (MWMV) has been identified as a unique polyvirus.
(Cockerhem, 1970) investigated the link between the morocean water melon mosaic virus, various polyviruses, and the W strain of papaya rignspoot virus by comparing tryptic peptide profiles using high performance liquid chromatography.
The profolus revealed that the low protein sequence of MWMV differed significantly from that of the other polyviruses. McKern (1993).
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