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What is already known about this topic? Millettia pachycarpa belongs to the Fabaceae family and is widely distributed in the southern China. It is toxic for the rotenone contained in its roots and seeds, and ingesting its seeds could result in poisoning. What is added by this report? In December, 2020, a poisoning from plant seeds occurred in Chongqing Municipality. The etiological association was confirmed based on epidemiological investigation, clinical manifestation, plant species identification, and rotenone analysis. The patient rapidly developed central nervous and respiratory depression with metabolic acidosis. The plant was identified as Millettia pachycarpa, and toxin analysis indicated that the rotenone content contained in the seeds was high enough to cause intoxication. What are the implications for public health practice? Millettia pachycarpa poisoning is rare but could be fatal. Efforts should be made to educate and communicate with the public, doctors, and public health practitioners that the toxic effects the seeds could be life-threating when swallowed, both accidentally or intentionally.

Increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has posed a major health concern worldwide, and the addition of new antimicrobial agents is diminishing due to overexploitation of plants and microbial resources. Inevitably, alternative sources and new strategies are needed to find novel biomolecules to counter AMR and pandemic circumstances. The association of plants with microorganisms is one basic natural interaction that involves the exchange of biomolecules. Such a symbiotic relationship might affect the respective bio-chemical properties and production of secondary metabolites in the host and microbes. Furthermore, the discovery of taxol and taxane from an endophytic fungus, Taxomyces andreanae from Taxus wallachiana, has stimulated much research on endophytes from medicinal plants. A gram-positive endophytic bacterium, Paenibacillus peoriae IBSD35, was isolated from the stem of Millettia pachycarpa Benth. It is a rod-shaped, motile, gram-positive, and endospore-forming bacteria. It is neutralophilic as per Joint Genome Institute’s (JGI) IMG system analysis. The plant was selected based on its ethnobotany history of traditional uses and highly insecticidal properties. Bioactive molecules were purified from P. peoriae IBSD35 culture broth using 70% ammonium sulfate and column chromatography techniques. The biomolecule was enriched to 151.72-fold and the yield percentage was 0.05. Peoriaerin II, a highly potent and broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptide against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 was isolated. LC-MS sequencing revealed that its N-terminal is methionine. It has four negatively charged residues (Asp + Glu) and a total number of two positively charged residues (Arg + Lys). Its molecular weight is 4,685.13 Da. It is linked to an LC-MS/MS inferred biosynthetic gene cluster with accession number A0A2S6P0H9, and blastp has shown it is 82.4% similar to fusaricidin synthetase of Paenibacillus polymyxa SC2. The 3D structure conformation of the BGC and AMP were predicted using SWISS MODEL homology modeling. Therefore, combining both genomic and proteomic results obtained from P. peoriae IBSD35, associated with M. pachycarpa Benth., will substantially increase the understanding of antimicrobial peptides and assist to uncover novel biological agents.

Plants and plant products are constituent parts of the inventory of drugs since time immemorial. Millettia pachycarpa (Family: Fabaceae) is widely seen in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, China, Taiwan, and Japan. The plant is used as anticancer, agricultural pesticide, blood tonics, anti-infertility, anthelmintic, piscicide, and kidney disorder and also to manage fish nursery. Anthelmintic and piscicidal properties of root peel, insecticidal potential of the seed, and antifeedant properties of the leaf of the plant have been established. Phytochemicals recovered from M. pachycarpa reveal to be millepachine; daidzein; genistein; wighteone; alpinumisoflavone; pomiferin; warangalone; auriculasin; 6,8-diprenylorobol; furowanin A; isoerysenegalensein E; erysenegalensein E; 17β-estradiol; 4-hydroxytamoxifen; 4-hydroxylonchocarpin; barbigerone; 13-homo-13-Oxa-6a, 12a-dehydrodeguelin; tephrosin; deguelin; 4′,5′-dimethoxy-6,6-dimethylpyranoisoflavone; 6a,12a-dehydrodeguelin; phenylated isoflavone; dihydroflavonol; lupinifolol; cis-12a-hydroxyrotenone; rot-2′-enonic acid; cis-12′-enonic acid; 5,7,4′-tetrahydroxy-6,8-diphrnyl isoflavones; 5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyl-6,8-diphenylisoflavone; phenylated chalcone; 6″-dimethyl-ranoisoflavone; millewanin G; millewanin H; furowanin B; 4-methoxylonchocarpin; isobavachromene; and dorspoinsettifolin. Anticancer, antifungal, antibacterial, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antiestrogenic, as well as estrogenic activities of some of these isolated compounds of the plant have already been established. This article reviews the pharmacological properties of crude extract and 12 major phytochemicals recovered from M. pachycarpa.

This study was aimed to evaluate the antifeedant activity of leaf extracts on third instar larvae of Tobacco Leaf Eating Caterpillar (Spodoptera litura) and bioassay guided isolation of pure compounds from Millettia pachycarpa. Plant material was extracted with two different solvents; hexane and methanol. Methanol extract was found to be active as compared to hexane extract against S. litura after 48 h and was sequentially further partitioned between hexane, dichloromethane and butanol. DCM fraction was further subjected to column chromatography from which five fractions were obtained. Among different CC fractions, fraction 2 (FR 2) showed highest activity (AI50 227.12 ppm) and pure compound, lupeol, was isolated. Antifeedant activity results show that activity was comparable to natural plant based insecticide azadirachtin and this plant can be further explored for its use as natural pesticide.

Millettia pachycarpa (Bentham), a perennial climbing tree, found endemic in north-east India used by tribes for treating various ailments. To ascertain the potential of M. pachycarpa for pest management, the present investigation was formulated against a polyphagous pest, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius). Growth inhibitory activity of various extracts and extract fractions was evaluated against third instar larvae of S. litura through topical as well as diet incorporation method. It was observed that dichloromethane extract showed very good growth inhibition in both topical (GI50 7.77 ppm) and diet incorporation methods (GI50< 5 ppm). The growth inhibitory potential of this plant is also demonstrated by the presence of various abnormalities and reduction in larval and pupal weight.

A new isoflavone, milletenol A (1), along with four known flavonoids (2–5) were isolated from the seeds of Millettia pachycarpa. The structure of 1 was established by extensive spectroscopic methods while known compounds were identified by comparisons with literature data. Compound 1 and 2 showed significant anti-inflammatory activities against nitric oxide production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. The state of CuSO4-stimulated inflammation was effectively alleviated by compound 1 in zebrafish. However, no significant cytotoxicity against human breast cancer cells was observed among all isolates.

Millettia pachycarpa Benth, a widely used anthelminthic drug in folk, is rich in flavonoids with various bioactivities. This study aimed to identify active flavonoids with anti-Alzheimer’s disease (AD) effect from its seeds by a bioassay-guided isolation. A novel rotenoid with unusual oxidative ring-opening skeleton (10) and nine known flavonoids (1–9) were obtained, and their structures were elucidated by NMR and HR-ESIMS analysis. Among all isolates, 7 and 8 showed selective butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities (IC50 = 2.34 and 11.49 μM, respectively), while 3 was classified as a dual-action inhibitor against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and BChE (IC50 AChE = 17.14 μM, IC50 BChE = 5.68 μM). Further kinetic study revealed that 3, 7, and 8 were mixed-type BChE inhibitors, but 3 was a competitive AChE inhibitor. Their strong binding affinities to BChE were confirmed by fluorescence quenching analysis. Additionally, 3 and 8 exhibited potent inhibitory effects against β-amyloid peptide aggregation. These results revealed M. pachycarpa could be a valuable source for anti-AD leads development, and compounds 3, 7 and 8 were worthy of further study as multifunctional or specific agents for AD treatment.

Millettia pachycarpa Benth is a perennial climbing shrub belonging to the genus Millettia, as it is widely used in traditional practices like agricultural pesticides, blood tonics, fish poison, and treatments for cancer and infertility. The crude extract of the seeds of M. pachycarpa had insecticidal activity on cabbage aphids. The conventional extract approach with three kinds of organic solvents: methanol, ethanol, and acetone was used for extracting of crude extract of seeds of M. pachycarpa. The leaf immersion method in a petri dish was used to measure contact activity on cabbage aphids. The field measurement method in a cabbage field was used to measure the control effect. The result indicated that the average mortality rate of cabbage aphids reached 91.3 percent under the action of crude extract of the seeds of M. pachycarpa, indicating that contacting activity against cabbage aphid was strong. After the crude extract was sprayed for 2 days, the proofread control effect of 1000 μg / mL ethanol crude...

Extensive and indiscriminate use of synthetic compounds and natural compounds obtained from plant sources have resulted in serious threats to the aquatic ecosystem and human health. Aqueous extract of the root of the plant, Milletia pachycarpa Benth, is currently used for killing fish in the state of Manipur, India. Moreover, this plant is also used as traditional medicine in this region. Although it is widely used in traditional medicine, there is limited information available regarding the adverse effects and mechanism underlying its toxicity. This study examined the effects of exposure to aqueous extract of M. pachycarpa (AEMP) on early embryonic development of zebrafish embryos and mechanisms underlying toxicity. Zebrafish embryos treated with different concentrations of the AEMP produced embryonic lethality and developmental defects. The 96-hr-LC50 of AEMP was found to be 4.276 mu g/mL. Further, multiple developmental abnormalities such as pericardial edema, yolk sac edema, spinal curvature, swim bladder deflation, decreased heart rate, and delayed hatching were also observed in a dose-dependent manner. Zebrafish embryo showing moderate-to-severe developmental defects following AEMP exposure cannot swim properly. Further, this study examined oxidative stress and apoptosis in embryos exposed to AEMP. Enhanced production of ROS and apoptosis was found in brain, trunk, and tail of zebrafish embryos treated with AEMP. Data suggest that oxidative stress and apoptosis are associated with AEMP-induced embryonic lethality and developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos.

Aim To investigate the chemical constituents from the seeds of Millettia pachycarpa . Methods The compounds were isolated and purified by repeated column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, and their cytotoxic activities against human tumor cell lines (7860, A549, A2780, Hela, K562) and murine tumor cell lines (LL/2, B16) were evaluated by MTT assay. Results Four flavonoids were obtained and their structures were identified as 3-hydroxy-4-methoxylonchocarpin ( 1 ), 4-methoxylonchocarpin ( 2 ), isobavachromene ( 3 ), and dorspoinsettifolin ( 4 ). Conclusion Compound 1 is a new prenylated chalcone, and compounds 2–4 were isolated from this genus for the first time. Compounds 1–4 selectively showed moderate inhibition against one or more of the tested cell lines.

Millettia pachycarpa Benth (Leguminosae) has a usage in traditional medicine system practiced among the Lushai tribes of Mizoram, a state in North East India, who customarily consume the aqueous extract of the root peel of the plant to get rid of intestinal worm infections. The crude ethanol, methanol, and acetone fractions of the plant were assayed against Raillietina echinobothrida, the intestinal cestode parasite of domestic fowl, to authenticate the putative anthelmintic efficacy and cestocidal potential in particular of the plants. In vitro exposure of the worm to the extract at a concentration of 25 mg/mL phosphate buffered saline (at 37 degrees C +/- 1 degrees C) revealed distortion and disruption of mitochondria, nucleus, nucleolus, nuclear membrane, basal lamina, and tegumental vacuolization in the distal cytoplasm leading to scar formation in the surface. The possible use of the plant as a potential anthelmintic against cestode parasite is discussed.

Objective:Millettiapachycarpais a member of the Fabacea family and our object has been set to examine the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory endeavor of this plant. This plant has been reported as potential anti-inflammatory agent previously.Materials and Method: DPPH free radical scavenging and reducing power assay was carried out to assess the electron donating capability of the methanolic crude extract of the specimen. A quantitative analysis has been made to measure phenolic and flavonoid content. The anti-inflammatory potentiality of methanolic extract of M. pachycarpa has been determined via carrageenan-induced paw edema assay in rats.Results: The IC50 value estimated was, 196.47 ± 2.061 μg/ml, which is a very much promising result. From quantitative assessment, sample extract reported very good number of phenolic and flavonoid measurement, 41.23 ± 1.527 mg equivalent gallic acid per gram and 110.33 ± 2.255 mg equivalent rutin per gram, respectively. The studied specimen showed expected dose dependent result in anti-inflammatory assay. At the dose of 300 mg/kg the extract showed maximum inhibitory effect (61.36% at 2 hour; P

Phytoestrogens containing isoflavonoids are thought to exhibit preventative effects on estrogen-responsive diseases. Chemical modifications, such as prenylation, in biosynthetic processes enhance the structural variety of isoflavonoids and prompted us to carry out a structure-activity relationship study. We determined the estrogenic/anti-estrogenic activities and estrogen receptor (ER)-binding affinities of eight kinds of prenylated isoflavones isolated from Millettia pachycarpa (Leguminosae), and those of two kinds of non-prenylated compounds (genistein and daidzein). By comparing these compounds, the pharmacophores for estrogenic/anti-estrogenic activities were elucidated. None of the tested compounds (except genistein) were estrogenic on ligand-dependent yeast-two hybrid assay. On the other hand, 5 isoflavones showed distinct anti-estrogenic activity. Unexpectedly, the most potent antagonists, isoerysenegalensein E and 6,8-diprenylorobol, showed anti-estrogenic activity comparable to that of 4-hydroxytamoxifen, a typical ER antagonist. This suggests that genistein became an antagonist after prenylation and hydroxylation. The pharmacophores providing genistein with strong anti-estrogenic activity were as follows: prenyl groups of the 6- and 8-positions on the A-ring, hydroxyl group of the 6-prenyl moiety or the B-ring (catechol form), non-cyclization of the prenyl group with the A-ring, and non-hydroxylation of the 8-prenyl group on the A-ring. The ER-binding affinities of the isoflavonoids were not sufficiently high to explain their potent antagonistic activities, thus suggesting 17β-estradiol-non-competitive mechanisms.

Three new isoflavonoids, named millewanins G (1) and H (2) and furowanin B (3), were isolated from the leaves of Millettia pachycarpa. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. The antiestrogenic activity in the yeast two-hybrid assay of these isoflavonoids was examined and shown to be comparable with that of 4-hydroxytamoxifen.

Eight compounds (1-8), including a new flavonol glycoside (1), were isolated from Millettia pachycarpa. Their structures were elucidated based on combination of spectroscopic methods and comparing with data in literatures. Three of them (2, 6 and 8) were obtained from this genus for the first time. Meanwhile, this is also the first time compound 5 has been found from nature. Biological evaluation of all isolates against two cholinesterases (ChEs) is also described.

The present study was designed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of flavonoids isolated from Millettia pachycarpa Benth. The seeds of M. pachycarpa Benth were extracted with ethanol and subjected to chromatographic separation for the isolation of bioactive compounds. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The anti-inflammatory activity of the compounds was investigated by evaluating the inhibition ability of NO production, iNOS activity and iNOS protein expression induced by LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages in vitro and the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model in vivo. Molecular docking simulation was also employed to obtain the binding parameters in the binding pocket of iNOS. Thirteen compounds (1–13) were isolated from Chinese herbal medicine M. pachycarpa Benth. Among them, 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) and deguelin (7) exhibited remarkable inhibitory rates of 66.5% and 57.7%, respectively, compared with that of 52.5% of indomethacin in LPS-induced macrophages cells. 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) with low toxicity (IC50 > 100 μm) exhibited better inhibitory effects to positive control of 1400W on iNOS activity at the concentration of 10 μm. Western blot assay revealed that 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) inhibited iNOS protein expression in RAW264.7 cells and molecular docking simulation showed that 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) fit well into the binding pocket of iNOS. In the carrageenan-induced paw edema model, our data revealed that the anti-inflammatory potential of 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) at 10 mg/kg showed comparable inhibitory ability to indomethacin at 5 h while a higher concentration of 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) at 50 mg/kg showed higher inhibitory activity than indomethacin, which was further confirmed by plasma levels of nitrite. The overall results suggest that 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (6) might be used as a potential therapeutic agent for inflammation-associated disorders.

The present study was attempted with the objective of screening the potential antifungal activities of eight fungicides, nine plant extracts and five bio-agents in vitro against leaf blight of E. linguiformis caused by C. lunata var. aeria. Mancozeb at 0.3% (97.37% inhibition) was found to be significantly superior among the non-systemic fungicides evaluated at three concentrations (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3%). Among the systemic fungicides, metalaxyl showed 98.48% inhibition of mycelial growth at 0.3% concentration followed by carbendazim (95.25% inhibition at 0.3%). Among the plant extracts, Millettia pachycarpa root extracts (55.78) at 10 per cent was superior followed by Acorus calamus with 53.40% inhibition at 10 per cent. Among the bio-agents tested, Trichoderma harzianum showed maximum inhibition of 68.85 per cent inhibition. The study indicated that suitable integration of more efficient ecofriendly treatments like bio-agents and botanicals with lesser use of fungicides may provide effective management of the disease.

The therapeutic benefits of medicinal plants in terms of anthelmintic properties are known since time immemorial in India, particularly among natives of the Northeast India. However, only sporadic and scarce reports on scientific validation of these plants are available. The present study was conducted on the cestode Raillietina echinobothrida, to establish whether the anthelmintic activity of Potentilla fulgens, Alpinia nigra and Millettia pachycarpa was mediated by apoptosis or not. Light microscopic observation following MTT assay revealed the highest percentage of inhibition of viability among the worms by methanol extract of M. pachycarpa (89.33%), followed by A. nigra (65%) and P. fulgens (37%). Ultrastructural observations revealed swelling of mitochondria, disruption of mitochondrial membrane, vacuolization of mitochondria, appearance of apoptotic bodies in the cytoplasm, disintegration of nuclear membrane and nucleolus were very common throughout the tegument. DAPI stained specimens showed typical morphology of apoptosis, like nuclear condensation and fragmentation in the extracts treated parasites. A decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential was also recorded in the treated groups. Confirmatory TUNEL assay and DNA fragmentation assay of the extracts treated parasites also confirmed the apoptotic nature of cell death and is concluded to be responsible for paralysis and death of the parasite.

The aim of this study is to investigate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of constituents from the seeds of Millettia pachycarpa Benth. Fourteen compounds (1–14) including one novel chalcone (10) were isolated as active principles from Chinese herbal medicine M. pachycarpa Benth. Their structures were identified by using spectroscopic methods. All isolates were then evaluated for their cytotoxic effects against several cancer cell lines (HepG2, C26, LL2 and B16) with cisplatin as a positive control. And their apoptosis-inducing effects were tested against HeLa-C3 cells with taxol as a positive control. Both studies showed that compounds 1, 2, 7 and 10 demonstrated significant cytotoxic and apoptotic effects against cancer cells. Moreover, in the apoptosis assay the novel chalcone (10) showed strong apoptosis inducing effects at a concentration of 2 μM within 36 h. It was found to be the most potent apoptotic inducer of the compounds isolated from M. pachycarpa Benth.

Enrichment of the anti-tumor compound barbigerone along with a rotenoid derivative from Millettia pachycarpa Benth. was performed by a two-step high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) separation process. In the first step, 155.8 mg of target fraction (Fra6) was obtained from 400 mg ethyl acetate extract of M. pachycarpa Benth. with an increase in barbigerone from 5.1 to 13% via HSCCC using a solvent system of n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (5:4:5:3, v/v) under normal phase head to tail elution. HSCCC was repeated to eliminate the major contaminant in this initial fraction 6. After a separation time of 65 min, 22.1 mg barbigerone of 87.7% purity was obtained from Fra6 with the ternary solvent system of n-hexane-methanol-water (2:2:1, v/v) under normal phase elution. Finally, preparative HPLC was employed for the further isolation of barbigerone and the rotenoid derivative. The structures were confirmed by ESI-MS, 1 H NMR and 13 C NMR.

This paper builds on previous modelling research with short single layer columns to develop rapid methods for optimising high-performance counter-current chromatography at constant stationary phase retention. Benzyl alcohol and p-cresol are used as model compounds to rapidly optimise first flow and then rotational speed operating conditions at a preparative scale with long columns for a given phase system using a Dynamic Extractions Midi-DE centrifuge. The transfer to a high value extract such as the crude ethanol extract of Chinese herbal medicine Millettia pachycarpa Benth. is then demonstrated and validated using the same phase system. The results show that constant stationary phase modelling of flow and speed with long multilayer columns works well as a cheap, quick and effective method of optimising operating conditions for the chosen phase system-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (1:0.8:1:0.6, v/v). Optimum conditions for resolution were a flow of 20 ml/min and speed of 1200 rpm, but for throughput were 80 ml/min at the same speed. The results show that 80 ml/min gave the best throughputs for tephrosin (518 mg/h), pyranoisoflavone (47.2 mg/h) and dehydrodeguelin (10.4 mg/h), whereas for deguelin (100.5 mg/h), the best flow rate was 40 ml/min.

Both analytical and preparative high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) were used to isolate and separate chemical bioactive constituents from the seeds of Millettia pachycarpa Benth, a famous traditional Chinese medicine. Three rotenoids and one isoflavone were successfully purified for the first time by HSCCC with a two-phase solvent system composed of n -hexane–ethyl acetate–methanol–water (HEMWat) (1:0.8:1:0.6, v/v/v/v). The separation parameters were first performed on the analytical HSCCC and optimized conditions were then scaled up to preparative HSCCC. The separation produced 160.2 mg tephrosin, 14.6 mg 4′,5′-dimethoxy-6,6-dimethylpyranoisoflavone, 109.4 mg deguelin, 6.7 mg 6a,12a-dehydrodeguelin with respective purities of 95, 93, 95, 95%, in one single run from 400 mg crude extract of the seeds of M. pachycarpa Benth. The purity of the isolated compounds was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and their structures were identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS); 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H NMR) and 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance ( 13 C NMR) analysis. This paper is an excellent example of the role that CCC is playing in isolating active compounds for pre-clinical trials of new chemical entities, even when scaling up between centrifuges from different manufacturers.

Extraction of Millettia pachycarpa Benth. gave 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-6,8-diprenylisoflavone (1a), 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-6,3′-diprenylisoflavone (2a), 5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-6,8-diprenylisoflavone (3a) and (2R, 3R)-5,4′-dihydroxy-8-prenyl-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano[2″,3″: 7,6]-dihydroflavonol (4a) whose structures were established by chemical transformations and spectroscopic means. Pectolinarigenin and salvigenin were isolated from Buddleia macrostachya Benth.

The effectiveness of nine species of Chinese insecticidal plants have been tested against 40 species of insects. The toxicity of three species, namely, Millettia pachycarpa Benth., Tripterygium Forrestii Loes. and Rhododendron molle G. Don were studied in detail. The rotenone-bearing plants, Millettia pachycarpa, Pachyrrhizus erosus Urban and Derris Fordii Oliv., are stomach- as well as contact-insecticides. The finely ground seeds of Millettia pachycarpa, when applied as sprays in suspension, were highly effective against aphides, Pentatomids and leaf-beetles. The root bark of the wrinkle-fruited thunder-god-vine, Tripterygium Forrestii, contains an alkaloid and other unknown toxic principles. Data obtained from laboratory and field tests show that the root bark of this plant acts as a powerful repellant and as a stomach-insecticide. When applied as dusts it was found to be effective in protecting vegetables from the attack of leaf-beetles and certain species of lepidopterous larvae. The toxicity of the root bark of the bitter tree, Celastrus angulata Maxim., is similar to that of Tripterygium but it appeared to act also as a contact-poison. The root of Stemona tuberosa Lour. is a contact-poison, and alcohol extracts were effective against the body lice and plant lice. The stems and rhizomes of the black hellebore, Veratrum nigrum L., is a stomach- and a contact-poison : it is used by the farmers for house-fly control. The flower of Rhododendron molle was found to be a contact- and stomach-poison. Its toxicity is very specific, being effective only against certain species of lepidopterous larvae, Pentatomids and leaf-beetles. The rootstock of Steller a chaemejasme L. contains an active antibiotic principle which acts also as a repellant and as a contact-poison against tent caterpillars. The toxicities of insecticides of vegetable origin were compared with modern synthetic insecticides under laboratory conditions. As a contact spray against the cruciferous leaf-beetle, Colaphellus bowringi Baly, γ-benzene hexachloride appeared to be more toxic than rotenone but rotenone was about four times more toxic than technical DDT and its killing action was much quicker than that of γ-benzene hexachloride and DDT. γ-Benzene hexachloride was 306 times more toxic than the seeds of Millettia pachycarpa. Based on the time-mortality curves, however, a 5% water suspension of the seeds of Millettia pachycarpa compared favourably with a o.1 % γ-benzene hexachloride spray when used against the ten-spotted grape leaf-beetle, Oides decempunclata Billberg. As a stomach-poison against the fifth-instar Small White butterfly, Pieris rapae L., Millettia seeds proved to be more toxic than phenothiazine. Apart from the standard botanical insecticides such as derris, pyrethrum and nicotine, Millettia pachycarpa, Pachyrrhizus erosus, Tripterygium Forrestii, Celastrus angulata, Rhododendron molle and Veralrum nigrum are widely distributed in China and have great possibilities for extensive cultivation as an easily available source of cheap insecticide. These insecticidal plants have no phytotoxic effect and with the exception of Rhododendron and Veratrum they are not very toxic to human beings. The danger of chronic poisoning from the daily consumption of foodstuff treated with these insecticides seems remote. Recommendations are made for further investigations of these plants with special emphasis on the research of the chemistry of the toxic principles.

Roots of Millettia pachycarpa furnished retenone, cis -12a-hydroxyrotenone, rot-2′-enonic acid and cis -12a-hydroxyrot-2′-enonic acid.