Essential oil from leaves of Eugenia calycina Cambes: Natural larvicidal against Aedes aegypti

Abstract

BACKGROUNDEugenia calycina is an endemic species in the Brazilian savannah (the Cerrado) and it is threatened with extinction. Several species of Eugenia are used as insecticides or insect repellents. No data are available on the larvicidal activity of E. calycina. The chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) from leaves of Eugenia calycina was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and the larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti larvae in the third stage of development was studied.RESULTSOxygenated and non‐oxygenated sesquiterpenes were identified, and the main compounds were bicyclogermacrene, spathulenol, and β‐caryophyllene. The EO was fractionated in a chromatographic column and three compounds were isolated and identified: spathulenol, aromadendrane‐4β,10α‐diol, and 1β‐11‐dihydroxy‐5‐eudesmene. It is the first time that the last two compounds have been identified in E. calycina. The exposure times in the larvicidal test were 24 h and 48 h and the LC50 values obtained were 199.3 and 166.4 μg mL−1. The cytotoxicity of the EO in mammalian cells (HeLa and Vero) was evaluated for 24 and 48 h of incubation. The cytotoxic concentrations of the EO for HeLa and Vero cells (266.8 ± 46.5 and 312.1 ± 42.5 μg mL−1, respectively) in 48 h of exposure were higher than the LC50, showing low cytotoxicity at the concentration exhibiting larvicidal activity, resulting in a positive selectivity index.CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that the EO of E. calycina showed high activity against the A. aegypti larvae but lower cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. The leaves of E. calycina are therefore a very promising source of natural larvicidal products. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry

Comparative study of the chemical composition, larvicidal, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of volatile oils from E. punicifolia leaves from Minas Gerais and Goiás

“…In the work by Sousa, et al (2015), the oil from E. calycina leaves showed moderate cytotoxicity with CC50 137.4 μg/mL for HeLa cells, already in the work by Silva, et al (2021) showed an IC50 of 266.8 for HeLa cells, and an IC50 of 312.1 µg/mL for Vero cells within 24 h of exposure. Some oils have a toxic effect on MRC5 (human fibroblast) cells, such as oil from the leaves of E. flavescens DC.…”

“…Aegypti and later, the mortality events were quantified after 24 hours of exposure, with all tests being performed in triplicate, and having water and surfactant with negative controls. To assess larvicidal activity, the following criteria were used: LC50 ≤ 50 μg / mL is considered active, between 50 and 100 μg / mL, moderate activity, between 100 and 750 μg / mL of efficient or effective activity, and LC50 ≤ 750 μg / mL, inactive (Komalamisra, et al, 2005, Neves, et al, 2017Silva, et al, 2021).…”

“…And efficient activity with LC50 between 100 and 750 μg/mL as Eugenia patrisii Vahl (IC50 of 417 μg/mL), Eugenia piauhiensis Vellaff. (LC50 of 230 µg/mL) (Dias, 2013;Dias, et al, 2015), Eugenia brejoensis (LC50 of 214.7 ppm) (Silva, et al, 2015), Eugenia candollena DC (LC50 of 300 µg/mL) (Neves, et al, 2017), Eugenia calycina (LC50 of 199.3 μg/mL) (Silva, 2018) and Eugenia calycina (LC50 of 266.8 and 312.1 μg/mL) (Silva, et al, 2021).…”

“…The volatiles oils from Eugenia triquetra O. Berg showed larvicidal activity with a LC50 of 64.8 ± 5.6 ppm (Mora, et al, 2010), from Eugenia patrisii Vahl showed larvicidal with an IC50 of 417 µg/mL, Eugenia piauhiensis Vellaff. with IC50 of 230 µg/mL (Dias, 2013;Dias, et al, 2015), Eugenia brejoensis Mazine with LC50 of 214.7 ppm, (Silva, et al, 2015), Eugenia candollena DC with LC50 of 300 µg/mL (Neves, et al, 2017), Eugenia calycina Cambess with LC50 of 199.3 µg/mL (Silva, 2018), Eugenia calycina LC50 in 24 and 48 h of 199.3 and 166.4 µg/mL (Silva, et al, 2021).…”

Olfactory Response of the Green Lacewing Chrysoperla Externa to Volatile Organic Compounds of Eucalyptus Urograndis

“…The extraction of the EO from each group of leaves was carried out in a Clevenger apparatus, by hydrodistillation, under reflux for 4 hours with 50 g of fresh leaves (Silva et al, 2020). The extraction was carried out in triplicate.…”