title: Larvicidal activity of crude extracts from Larrea cuneifolia (Zygophyllaceae) and of its metabolite nordihydroguaiaretic acid against the vector Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to analyze the larvicidal activity of different crude extracts of Larrea cuneifolia and its most abundant lignan, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), against Culex quinquefasciatus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chloroform, methanol, and aqueous extracts from L. cuneifolia and NDGA were tested against larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus under laboratory conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The chloroform extract showed the highest larvicidal effect, with an estimated LC50 of 0.062 mg/ml. NDGA also demonstrated significant larvicidal activity with an estimated LC50 of 0.092 mg/ml.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that the chloroform extract of L. cuneifolia and NDGA are promising insecticides of botanical origin that could be useful for controlling Cx. quinquefasciatus.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Entomológicas de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina. gonzalobatallan@gmail.com
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Batallán
authors.forename: Romina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Torre
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Flores
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Konigheim
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ludueña-Almeida
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tonn
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Contigiani
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Almirón
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003465:Culex / Q000187:drug effects*; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000187:drug effects*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D032442:Larrea / Q000737:chemistry*; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D009637:Masoprocol / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D009637:Masoprocol