Insecticidal and Attractant Activities of Magnolia citrata Leaf Essential Oil against Two Major Pests from Diptera: Aedes aegypti (Culicidae) and Ceratitis capitata (Tephritidae)

In this study, Magnolia citrata Noot and Chalermglin (Magnoliaceae) essential oil (MCEO) was evaluated for insecticidal activity against the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti and attractant activity for the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata. The leaves of Magnolia citrata (Giổi chanh) were collected from northwestern Vietnam, and the water-distilled MCEO was analyzed by gas-chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major constituents of MCEO were identified as linalool 19%, geranial 16%, citronellal 14%, neral 14%, and sabinene 12%. MCEO showed 100% mortality at 1 μg/μL against 1st instar larvae of Ae. aegypti (Orlando strain, ORL), and the oil exhibited 54% (ORL) and 68% (Puerto Rico strain) mortality at 5 μg/mosquito against Ae. aegypti adult females. Initial screens showed that MCEO had weak insecticidal activity compared to the positive control permethrin. In bioassays with sterile male C. capitata, MCEO exhibited moderately strong attraction, comparable to that observed with a positive control, Tetradenia riparia essential oil (TREO). Herein, the insecticidal and attractant activities of MCEO are reported for the first time.     

Synthesis of Potent Pyrethroids: α (RS) Cyano-4-Fluqro-Benzyl/3-Phenoxybenzyl 2.2-Dichloro-Spiro (2.5)-Octane-1-Carboxylates

A simple facile synthesis of 2,2-dichloro-spiro (2,5)-octane-1-carboxylic acid has been described which was converted into the corresponding α (RS) cyano 3-phenoxybenzyl ester, exhibiting high insecticidal activity against Musca domestica and Aedes egyptii.     

In silico and in vivo study of adulticidal activity from Ayapana triplinervis essential oils nano-emulsion against Aedes aegypti

Nanoinsecticides of plant origin have advantages in the resistance of Aedes aegypti, vectors of infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the insecticidal potential of Ayapana triplinervis essential oil nano-emulsions using in silico and in vivo assays in an Aedes aegypti model. Molecular docking showed that minority compounds present in the morphotype A essential oil have a more significant binding affinity to inhibit acetylcholinesterase and juvenile hormone receptors. Aedes aegypti adults were susceptible to A. triplinervis at 150 µg.mL-1 in a diagnostic time of 15 min for morphotype A essential oil nano-emulsion and 45 min for morphotype B essential oil nano-emulsion. The evaluation of toxicity in Swiss albino mice indicated that the nano-emulsions had low acute dermal toxicity and presented LD₅₀ greater than 2000 mg.Kg^?1. Thus, it is possible to conclude that nano-emulsions have the potential to be used in the chemical control of A. aegypti.     

Insecticidal Activity and Free Radical Scavenging Properties of Isolated Phytoconstituents from the Saudi Plant Nuxia oppositifolia (Hochst.)

Chromatographic purification of the alcoholic extract from the aerial parts of the Saudi plant Nuxia oppositifolia (Hochst.), Benth., resulted in five isolated phenolic compounds. Two flavones, hispidulin (1) and jaceosidin (2), and the phenylethanoid glycosides, verbascoside (3), isoverbascoside (4), and conandroside (5), were identified and their chemical structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses. The insecticidal activity of compounds 1 and 2, in addition to 11 compounds isolated in a previous research (6–16), was evaluated against the Yellow Fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Four compounds displayed adulticidal activity with LD₅₀ values of 2–2.3 μg/mosquito. Free radical scavenging properties of the plant extracts and compounds (1–5) were evaluated by measuring the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate radical cation (ABTS^•+) scavenging activity. All compounds exhibited notable activity, compared with the positive control, l-Ascorbic acid. This study suggests that N. oppositifolia could be a promising source of secondary metabolites, some with lethal adulticidal effect against Ae. aegypti.     

Synthesis and biological activity of permethrinic acid analogs containing various substituents in position 2 of the cyclopropane ring

A number of permethrinic acid ethyl ester derivatives having various substituents [Et, Pr, Ph, Ph(CH₂) _n (n = 1, 2), etc.] in position 2 of the cyclopropane ring were synthesized, and their insecticidal acivity against typhoid flies, rice weevils, and bean aphides, as well as juvenoid activity on flour beetle chrysalises, was studied. The newly synthesized compounds turned out to exhibit weak insecticidal activity against standard insects but pronounced juvenile hormone activity, which differentiates them from permethrinic acid esters.     

Larvicidal Activity of Cinnamic Acid Derivatives: Investigating Alternative Products for Aedes aegypti L. Control

The mosquito Aedes aegypti transmits the virus that causes dengue, yellow fever, Zika and Chikungunya viruses, and in several regions of the planet represents a vector of great clinical importance. In terms of mortality and morbidity, infections caused by Ae. aegypti are among the most serious arthropod transmitted viral diseases. The present study investigated the larvicidal potential of seventeen cinnamic acid derivatives against fourth stage Ae. aegypti larvae. The larvicide assays were performed using larval mortality rates to determine lethal concentration (LC₅₀). Compounds containing the medium alkyl chains butyl cinnamate (7) and pentyl cinnamate (8) presented excellent larvicidal activity with LC₅₀ values of around 0.21–0.17 mM, respectively. While among the derivatives with aryl substituents, the best LC₅₀ result was 0.55 mM for benzyl cinnamate (13). The tested derivatives were natural compounds and in pharmacology and antiparasitic studies, many have been evaluated using biological models for environmental and toxicological safety. Molecular modeling analyses suggest that the larvicidal activity of these compounds might be due to a multi-target mechanism of action involving inhibition of a carbonic anhydrase (CA), a histone deacetylase (HDAC2), and two sodium-dependent cation-chloride co-transporters (CCC2 e CCC3).     

Two new tetrahydrofuran derivatives from the fungus Mucor spp. SNB-VECD11D isolated from the Chrysomelidae Acalymma bivittula

Two new tetrahydrofuran derivatives, mucorinic acids A (1) and B (2) as well as the three known secondary metabolites dehydroabietic acid (3), Δ8-dihydroabietic acid (4) and 8-pimarenic acid (5) were isolated from a solid culture of the fungus Mucor spp. isolated on insect Acalymma bivittula. The structure of these compounds was elucidated by analysis of NMR and MS spectroscopic data. Compounds were tested in antimicrobial and insecticidal assays. Dehydroabietic acid exhibited moderate larvicidal activity on Aedes aegypti larvae with 65% mortality at 10 ppm. Both new compounds 1 and 2 showed interesting antibacterial activity on Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistant S. aureus with MIC values in the 8–16 μg/ml.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and insecticidal evaluation of novel aryl pyrazole compounds containing aminophosphonate moiety

A series of novel aryl pyrazole derivatives containing aminophosphonate were designed and synthesized on the basis of the commercial insecticide Fipronil. Their structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR, FT-IR, elemental analysis, and compound 4 m was characterized by a single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The results of the preliminary bioassays showed that title compounds exhibited satisfactory insecticidal activities against Culex pipiens and Musca domestica. The introduction of an electron-withdrawing group to the para-position of the benzene ring was essential for high bioactivity.     

Larvicidal activity of plant extracts from Colombian North Coast against Aedes aegypti L. mosquito larvae

The Aedes aegypti L. mosquito is considered the most important vector of arboviruses in the world. Insecticide-resistant phenomenon is a difficult barrier to overcome for government health entities around the planet. This problem forces to increase the concentrations of insecticides in the environment causing environmental pollution and health threat to human beings. Plants have been used to combat pests for centuries and are an eco-friendly source for the search for molecules with larvicidal activity. In this work, 65 ethanol-soluble extracts from 56 plants of the Colombian Caribbean region were evaluated as potential larvicides against Aedes aegypti mosquito, as well as, for their toxic effects on non-target organism. A high larvicidal activity was found for 16 ethanol extracts, however, the most potent activity against the larvae was obtained for the five plant extracts corresponding to the seeds of Annona squamosa L., Annona cherimolia L., Annona muricata L., Tabernaemontana cymosa Jacq. and Mammea americana L., with LC₅₀ value of 58.44, 65.10, 84.92, 25.02 and 38.58 ppm, respectively. T. cymosa seeds extract was selected for bio-guided fractionation due to the high larvicidal activity showed. Through chromatographic techniques and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), five indole alkaloids were isolated and characterized from T. cymosa active fraction; among them, voacangine showed activity with a LC₅₀ of 5.13 ppm indicating a high larvicidal potency besides low toxicity against model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. We also report a new indole alkaloid from T. cymosa. Our study demonstrated the potential of the Colombian Caribbean flora as a host of bioactive plants against important vectors such as the A. aegypti mosquito with potential use in controlled environments.     

Larvicidal and structural studies of some triphenyl- and tricyclohexyltin para-substituted benzoates

Several new triphenyl- and tricyclohexyltin para-substituted benzoates were synthesized. Their structures were characterized by IR and Mössbauer spectroscopies. The structures were determined to be four-coordinated monomers. Larvicidal activities of the new compounds as well as other benzoates were evaluated against the 2nd larval instar of the Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Results from the screening studies indicated that the triphenyltin benzoates were more toxic towards the Ae. aegypti larvae. A quantitative-structure activity relationship was also developed for the An. stephensi larvae.     

Synthesis and biological activity of permethrin analogs containing various substituents in position <Emphasis Type="Italic">2</Emphasis> of the cyclopropane ring

A number of permethrin derivatives having various substituents (Me, Et, Pr, Ph, PhCH₂, PhCH₂CH₂) in position 2 of the cyclopropane ring were synthesized and assayed for insecticidal activity against typhoid flies, rice weevils, and black bean aphid and juvenile hormone activity against flour beetle chrysalises. The examined compounds showed a weak insecticidal activity. Some derivatives were found to exert knockdown effect analogous to that of commercial pyrethroid tetramethrin; however, unlike permethrin, they exhibited pronounced juvenile hormone activity.     

The Binary Mixtures of Lambda-Cyhalothrin,Chlorfenapyr, and Abamectin,against the House Fly Larvae,Musca domestica L.

The house fly Musca domestica L. is one of the medical and veterinary pests that can develop resistance to different insecticides. Mixing insecticides is a new strategy for accelerating pest control; furthermore, it can overcome insect resistance to insecticides. This study aims to evaluate three insecticides, chlorfenapyr, abamectin, and lambda-cyhalothrin, individually and their binary mixtures against 2nd instar larvae of M. domestica laboratory strain. Chlorfenapyr exhibited the most toxic effect on larvae, followed by abamectin then the lambda-cyhalothrin. The half-lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) values were 3.65, 30.6, and 94.89 ppm, respectively. These results revealed that the high potentiation effect was the mixture of abamectin/chlorfenapyr in all the mixing ratios. In contrast, the tested combination of lambda-cyhalothrin/abamectin showed an antagonism effect at all mixing ratios against house fly larvae. The total protein, esterases, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and cytochrome P-450 activity were also measured in the current investigation in the larvae treated with chlorfenapyr. Our results indicate that GST may play a role in detoxifying chlorfenapyr in M. domestica larvae. The highest activity of glutathione-S-transferase was achieved in treated larvae with chlorfenapyr, and an increase in cytochrome P-450 activity in the larvae was observed post-treatment with Abamectin/chlorfenapyr.     

Expression and Enzyme Activity Detection of a Sepiapterin Reductase Gene from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Musca domestica</Emphasis> Larva

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an essential cofactor for aromatic acid hydroxylases and nitric oxide synthase. Sepiapterin reductase (SPR) catalyzes the final steps of BH4 biosynthesis. Studies on SPR from several insects and other organisms have been reported. However, thus far, enzyme activity of SPR in Musca domestica is kept unknown. In this study, 186 differentially expressed genes including SPR gene from Musca domestica (MDSPR) were screened in subtractive cDNA library. The MDSPR gene was cloned, and the recombinant MDSPI16 protein was expressed as a 51-kDa protein in soluble form. The MDSPR exhibited strong activity to the substrate sepiapterin (SP). The values of V_max and K_m of the MDSPR for SP were 6.83 μM/min and 23.48 μM, and the optimum temperature and pH of MDSPR were 50 °C and 4.0, respectively. This study provides new hypotheses and methods for the production of BH4 using insect-derived SPR.     

Stereoselective synthesis and moulting activity of integristerone A and analogues

Integristerone A, a rare ecdysteroid of plant origin, has been synthesized from 20-hydroxyecdysone with 2-deoxy-1,2-didehydro-20-hydroxyecdysone as the key intermediate, followed by stereoselective asymmetric dihydroxylation. The analogues 1,2-di-epi-integristerone A and 1,2-di-epi-5α-integristerone A have also been synthesized. Integristerone A exhibited approximately 9-fold lower moulting activity than the parent 20-hydroxyecdysone in the Musca domestica bioassay, indicating that the presence of a 1β-hydroxyl group resulted in a decrease in activity. As expected, the 1,2-di-epi-5α-analogue was inactive in this assay.     

Design,synthesis, crystal structure and bioactivity evaluation of novel diethyl (arylfuranyl)(arylpyrazolylamino)methanephosphonates

A series of novel arylpyrazole derivatives containing aminomethanephosphonate and phenylfuran moieties were designed, synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The single crystal structure of diethyl [5-(4-chlorophenyl)furan-2-yl][3-cyano-1-(2,3,4-trifluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-ylamino]methanephosphonate (4l) was determined by X-ray diffraction. Preliminary bioassays showed that these phosphonates exhibit satisfactory insecticidal activities against Culexpipiens and Musca domestica at 0.1%. In particular, compound 4l exhibited a most promising KT50 value, which is superior to that of Dextraltetramethrin® and similar to Prallehtrin®. The structure-activity relationship was also preliminarily investigated.     

Insecticidal potency of certain organosilicon compounds

A small series of organosilicon compounds were screened for efficacy against the housefly Musca domestica. The activity of organosilicon compounds is attributed to the silicon atom, the presence of halogens and the alkyl groups.     

Biological Studies of Some Perfluorophenyl Antimony Compounds

Perfluoroorganoantimony(III) (R_f)_nSbCl_{3? n} and -antimony(V) (R_f)_nSbCl_{5? n} (n = 1,2,3, R_f = C₆F₅) compounds are screened for the first time for biological activity. The compounds exhibited significant in vitro antitumor activity against MCF-7 (human breast cancer) cell line and antibacterial activity against three pathogenic bacteria: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. They also showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger as well as insecticidal activity against cockroach (Periplanata americana), housefly (Musca domestica), Tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura), and spider mite (Tetranychus urticae). These studies suggest a better biocidal activity for the pentafluorophenyl antimony halides compared to the corresponding phenyl analogues.     

Synthesis, insecticidal and acaricidal activities of novel 2-arylpyrroles

To search for novel 2-arylpyrroles with unique biological activities,a series of novel 2-arylpyrrole derivatives were designed and synthesized,and their structures were characterized by 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy,MS spectrometry,and elemental analysis.Their insecticidal activities against Lepidopteran pests (e.g.Mythimna separata) and acaricidal activities against mites (e.g.Tetranychus urticae) were evaluated.The results of bioassays indicate that some of these title compounds exhibited excellent insecticidal and acaricidal activities.For example,4-bromo-1-((chloromethoxy)methyl)-2-(4-chloro phenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyrrole-3-carbonitrile (6a),4-bromo-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-((2-fluoroethoxy)-methyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyrrole-3-carbonitrile (6d) showed insecticidal activity against Mythimna separata and 4-bromo-2-(4-chlorophenyl)1-((isopropoxymethoxy)methyl)-5-(trifluoro methyl)pyrrole-3-carbonitrile (7d) showed acaricidal activity against Tetranychus urticae.They were more effective than Chlorfenapyr,which has been the only commercialized member of a new class of chemicals of 2-arylpyrroles.     

Modification of carbonic anhydrase II with acetaldehyde, the first metabolite of ethanol, leads to decreased enzyme activity

Background

Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Aa insecticidal protein is the most active known B. thuringiensis toxin against the forest insect pest Lymantria dispar (gypsy moth), unfortunately it is also highly toxic against the non-target insect Bombyx mori (silk worm).

Results

Surface exposed hydrophobic residues over domains II and III were targeted for site-directed mutagenesis. Substitution of a phenylalanine residue (F328) by alanine reduced binding to the Bombyx mori cadherin by 23-fold, reduced biological activity against B. mori by 4-fold, while retaining activity against Lymantria dispar.

Conclusion

The results identify a novel receptor-binding epitope and demonstrate that virtual elimination of binding to cadherin BR-175 does not completely remove toxicity in the case of B. mori.