Elsevier

Fitoterapia

Volume 79, Issue 2, February 2008, Pages 106-111
Fitoterapia

Larvicidal and growth inhibition of the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi by triterpenes from Dysoxylum malabaricum and Dysoxylum beddomei

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2007.07.013Get rights and content

Abstract

Secondary metabolites from Dysoxylum malabaricum and Dysoxylum beddomei were tested against mature and immature stage of the mosquito vector Anopheles stephensi under laboratory conditions. The triterpenes 3β,24,25-trihydroxycycloartane and beddomeilactone from D. malabaricum and D. beddomei showed strong larvicidal, pupicidal and adulticidal activity. They also affected the reproductive potential of adults by acting as oviposition deterrents. The highest concentration tested (10 ppm) of both compounds evoked more than 90% mortality and oviposition deterrence.

Introduction

During the last decade, research on various natural plant products and botanicals against the mosquito vectors suggests that some may serve as possible alternatives to synthetic chemical insecticides [1], [2], [3], [4]. Over two thousand plant species contain chemicals with pest control properties [1], [5], [6] and several have shown some degree of activity against mosquitoes [7], [8]. The use of plant essential oils and phytochemicals against malaria vectors has been reviewed recently [2], [3]. In recent years, a lot of work has been done on control of Anopheles stephensi by secondary plant metabolites [9], [10], [11], [12].

For the past two decades a great deal of work has been undertaken on secondary metabolites from the Meliaceae [4], [7], [10], [13]. Most of the Dysoxylum spp. are large sized trees with the leaves that contain several limonoids [14], [15], [16], [17].

Leaf extracts of Dysoxylum malabaricum affect insects in a variety of ways, acting as an antifeedant and larvicide [12], [18].

Mosquitoes of the Anopheles spp. transmit malaria parasites to humans. Anopheles spp. vary in their vector potential because of environmental conditions and factors affecting their abundance, blood-feeding behavior and survival [19]. A. stephensi predominantly breeds in wells, overhead or ground level water tanks, cisterns, coolers, roof gutters, and artificial containers [20], [21]. The various malaria vectors exhibit a wide variety of life history strategies, thus there is no simple and universally applicable form of vector control. Crude extracts from Dysoxylum spp. leaves have shown excellent larvicidal and mosquitocidal properties against mosquito vectors [12], but the bioactivity of purified compounds or secondary metabolites against mosquitoes remains unexplored. The present investigation was undertaken to study the larvicidal effect of two secondary metabolites from D. malabaricum and D. beddomei spp., 3β,24,25-trihydroxycycloartane and beddomeilactone [15], [16], [17] against the larval and adult stages of A. stephensi mosquito.

Section snippets

Plant

D. beddomei Hien (Meliaceae) and D. malabaricum Bedd. (Meliaceae) leaves were collected from the Herbal Garden of Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala, Kottakkal, India and identified by Dr. Indira Balachandran, Research officer of the Herbal Garden where a voucher specimen (AH No. DL98) has been deposited.

Extraction and isolation of compounds 1 and 2

D. malabaricum and D. beddomei leaves shade dried and powdered were extracted with EtOAc at r.t. D. malabaricum and D. beddomei extracts were chromatographed over an alumina column eluting with solvents

Results and discussion

In the search for an eco-friendly pesticide, researchers have considered pesticides of biological origin, and the replacement of chemical pesticides with biopesticides as a generally acceptable one. Plant derived products have received increased attention from scientists and more than two thousand plant species are already known to have insecticidal properties [1], [5], [6], [26]. The LC50 and LC90 values for A. stephensi exposed to compounds 1 and 2 are shown in Fig. 2. Fourth instars were

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Mr. Karthikeyan, Technician for his help during the research period. Special thanks are also given to Dr. Thomas W Sappington for his valuable comments on an earlier draft of the manuscript. Financial help to the first author from the HARI, RDA, NICS to conclude this work is gratefully acknowledged.

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