title: Antifeedant activity and acute and residual toxicity of alkaloids from Sophora flavescens (leguminosae) against formosan subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).
abstract: Ku Shen, Sophora flavescens Aiton (Leguminosae), contains alkaloids that possess broad biological activities. This study showed that total matrines (a mixture of the alkaloids), and matrine and oxymatrine (two major alkaloids) had a strong antifeedant effect against Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), at all tested concentrations (ranging from 0.01 to 5%). Total matrines and matrine also had significantly toxic effects at 5%. The estimated LD50 of total matrines and matrine was 12.3 and 8.6 microg per insect, respectively, after 24 h; 13.3 and 7.1 microg per insect after 48 h; and 10.1 and 4.8 microg per insect after 1 wk. The antifeedant and toxic properties of total matrines- and matrine-treated wood remained effective at least 12 mo after treatment under both light and dark storage conditions. These chemicals have great potential for commercial development as wood treatment agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
authors.forename: Lixin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Gregg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Henderson
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D007306:Insecticides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020049:Isoptera / Q000502:physiology*; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D011807:Quinolizines / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029909:Sophora / Q000737:chemistry*; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute; D000093842:Matrines
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D007306:Insecticides; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D011807:Quinolizines; D000093842:Matrines