title: Generation of superoxide anion radical by alpha-terthienyl in the anal gills of mosquito larvae Aedes aegypti: a new aspect in alpha-terthienyl phototoxicity.
abstract: The present study documents that the secondary plant metabolites, especially alpha-terthienyl, exert phototoxic action through inhibition of certain enzymes and generation of singlet oxygen. Some of the reports have emerged exhibiting involvement of free radical generation in vitro by alpha-terthienyl. We provide evidence for the generation of a free radical viz., superoxide anion radical, by alpha-terthienyl employing spin-trapping techniques, probably due to the extension of the latter reaction. On the basis of this observation the phototoxic action of alpha-terthienyl on Aedes aegypti larvae is explained.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Vigyan Bhawan, Indore, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nivsarkar
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laloraya
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Laloraya
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D005609:Free Radicals; D005880:Gills / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D007814:Larva / Q000378:metabolism; D010777:Photochemistry; D013113:Spin Labels; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism*; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000633:toxicity*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D013113:Spin Labels; D013876:Thiophenes; C019101:alpha-terthienyl; D013481:Superoxides