Insecticidal activity against Aedes aegypti of m-pentadecadienyl-phenol isolated from Myracrodruon urundeuva seeds.
BACKGROUND
Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. Allemao is a common tree in the Caatinga that has been widely used for various medical purposes. Previous studies showed that the ethanol seed extract of M. urundeuva has potent activity against the larval stage of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti. Given this potential insecticidal activity, bioguided separation steps were performed in order to isolate the active compound(s).


RESULTS
The isolation process resulted in only one active chemical compound, identified by infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry as m-pentadecadienyl-phenol. This compound presented potent larvicidal and pupicidal activity (LC50 10.16 and 99.06 µg mL(-1) respectively) and great egg hatching inhibitory activity (IC50 49.79 µg mL(-1)). The mode of action was investigated through observations of behavioural and morphological changes performed in third-instar larvae treated with m-pentadecadienyl-phenol solution after 1, 6, 12, 16 and 20 h of exposure. Some changes were observed as flooding of the tracheal system, alterations in siphonal valves and anal gills and lethargy, probably caused by the strong anticholinesterasic activity reported previously.


CONCLUSIONS
The compound isolated from M. urundeuva seeds, m-pentadecadienyl-phenol, showed potent activity against immature stages of dengue vector, Ae. aegypti, being considered the main larvicidal principle.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Terezinha M
TM
Souza
Arcelina P
AP
Cunha
Davi F
DF
Farias
Lyeghyna K
LK
Machado
Selene M
SM
Morais
Nágila Mps
NM
Ricardo
Ana Fu
AF
Carvalho
D000330:Aedes / Q000187:drug effects*; D027926:Anacardiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D007306:Insecticides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry
D007306:Insecticides; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; C577655:m-pentadecadienyl-phenol