Larvicidal and Cytotoxic Potential of Squamocin on the Midgut of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Acetogenins are secondary metabolites exclusively produced by Annonaceae, which have antitumor, cytotoxic, and pesticide activities. In this study, we evaluated the larvicidal and cytotoxic effect of squamocin from Annona squamosa on Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) midgut. The compound was solubilized in 2% Tween 20 at 10, 20, 50, 80 and 100 ppm. The assay was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications, each with 20 third-instar larvae. Larval mortality was assessed every hour until total mortality, and the data were subjected to Probit analysis. Cellular damage was evaluated every 30 min in groups comprising five larvae subjected to squamocin at 50 and 100 ppm for 240 min. The total larval mortality occurred after 360 min following application of 50, 80, and 100 ppm squamocin, and 600 min after applying other concentrations with LC50 at 6.4 ppm. Both 50 and 100 ppm of squamocin showed cytotoxic activity in the midgut epithelium of A. aegypti after 240 min with 50 ppm resulting in midgut cells with light cytoplasm containing small vacuoles, whereas at 100 ppm were found cells with cytoplasm highly vacuolated, damaged apical surface and cell protrusion toward the gut lumen. In conclusion, squamocin has the potential to control A. aegypti.

Potential phytoinsecticide of Annona mucosa (Jacq) (Annonaceae) in the control of brown stink bug

“…For some species of Annonaceae there insecticidal action reports (BERMEJO et al, 2005;CASTILLO-SÁNCHEZ et al, 2010;AMINIMOGHADAMFAROUJ et al, 2011;COSTA et al, 2014;, In Pentatomidae the lethal effect of Annonaceae was reported against Dichelops melacanthus Dallas (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) with mortality of 96% nymphs treated with seeds extract of A. coriacea (SOUZA et al, 2007), also have reported of seeds extract of A. coriacea and Annona crassiflora (Annonaceae) against adults and nymphs of E. heros with (SILVA et al, 2013; Silva et al (2013), and Turchen et al (2014), however, tests for identification and isolation of this substance are needed to confirm this hypothesis.…”

“…In this context, Annonaceae family has been investigated to insect control (BERMEJO et al, 2005;CASTILLO-SÁNCHEZ et al, 2010;AMINIMOGHADAMFAROUJ et al, 2011;COSTA et al, 2014; with promising results in the control of Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) pest in maize crop (BLESSING et al, 2010), Sitophilus zeamais Mots (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) pest of stored grain (RIBEIRO et al, 2013), Oncopeltus fasciatus Dallas (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) cotton pest (COLOM et al, 2008) and also against E. heros, soybean pest (SILVA et al, 2013;.…”

Immunomodulatory Efficacy of Standardized Annona muricata (Graviola) Leaf Extract via Activation of Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase Pathways in RAW 264.7 Macrophages

“…These acetogenins, derived from seeds, leaves, and pericarp have cytotoxicity against carcinoma cells of prostate, pancreas, and breast [6, 8, 9]. Despite their anticancer efficacy, some acetogenins in Graviola leaves are known to be highly cytotoxic [10]. In addition, chronic consumption of Graviola juice containing annonaceous acetogenins aggravates cerebral tau phosphorylation in mice and contributes to development of neuropathological changes observed in Parkinson's disease [11, 12].…”

Toxicity of squamocin on Aedes aegypti larvae, its predators and human cells

“…Acetogenins with two tetrahydrofuran rings have high insecticide activity against A . aegypti, probably owing to their effect as potential inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration, interfering in ATP synthesis . Thus, acetogenins have been studied for the control of A. aegypti .…”

“…14 -16 The acetogenins have insecticide, fungicide, herbicide, acaricide, antitumour, anthelmintic, antibacterial, antiprotozoal and molluscicide activities, 17 -20 and at least 44 acetogenins have insecticide activity against larvae of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), an important vector of yellow fever, dengue 21,22 and chikengunya fever. 23 Acetogenins with two tetrahydrofuran rings have high insecticide activity against A. aegypti, 24,25 probably owing to their effect as potential inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration, interfering in ATP synthesis. 20 Thus, acetogenins have been studied for the control of A. aegypti.…”