In order to increase the application of natural bioresources
in
drug discovery and development, a study on N-acetyl-glucosamine
(GlcNAc) derivatives of chitin as green pesticides was necessary.
In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of novel C-glycoside naphthalimides using GlcNAc as a starting material.
Compound 10l showed high inhibitory activity against OfHex1 (IC50 = 1.77 μM), with a nearly
30-fold increase in activity over our previously reported C-glycoside CAUZL-A (IC50 = 47.47 μM).
By observing the morphology of the Ostrinia furnacalis, we found that the synthesized compounds significantly inhibited
the molting process. In addition, we further explored the morphological
changes of the inhibitor-treated O. furnacalis cuticle
using scanning electron microscopy. This is the first study to validate
the insecticidal mechanism of OfHex1 inhibitors at
the microscale level. Several compounds also exhibited excellent larvicidal
activity against Plutella xylostella. Moreover, the
toxicity measurements and predictions indicated that the C-glycoside naphthalimides have little effect on the natural enemy Trichogramma ostriniae and rats. Together, our results highlight
an approach for the design of green pesticides, taking advantage of
natural bioresources to control pests in agriculture.