Acaricidal activity of Cinnamomum cassia (Chinese cinnamon) against the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis is linked to its content of (E)-cinnamaldehyde

Chuks F Nwanade,Xiaoyu Zhang,Can Wang,Min Wang,Zhijun Yu,Jingze Liu,Tianhong Wang

doi:10.1186/s13071-021-04830-2

Chuks F Nwanade, Xiaoyu Zhang + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-04830-2

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Abstract

BackgroundThe tick Haemaphysalis longicornis (Neumann) is a well-known vector of numerous pathogens of veterinary and medical importance. Various control strategies, including the use of synthetic pesticides, have been developed to control this tick species. However, demand for effective and safe alternative pesticides is increasing due to the adverse effects associated with the intensive and injudicious use of synthetic pesticides, which include undesirable effects on non-target species and environmental pollution. Hence, the acaricidal activity of the extract and the essential oil of Cinnamomum cassia (Chinese cinnamon) and their major components, and the underlying mechanisms of this activity, were evaluated against unfed larvae and nymphs of H. longicornis.MethodsThe components of the extract and essential oil of C. cassia were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and their larvicidal and nymphicidal activity were evaluated using the larval and nymphal packet test. The underlying detoxification mechanism was elucidated by targeting in vivo esterase and monooxygenase activity, and the toxicological effect was assessed on non-target Tenebrio molitor and Harmonia axyridis by topical application in open Petri dishes.Results(E)-cinnamaldehyde was the predominant component of the extract (50.79%) and essential oil (89.95%). The 50% lethal concentration (LC50) for larvae and nymphs treated with the extract was 11.56 and 49.18 mg/mL, respectively. The essential oil, (E)-cinnamaldehyde and fenvalerate exhibited acaricidal activity, with LC50 values of 3.81, 3.15, and 0.14 mg/mL, respectively, against the larvae, and 21.31, 16.93, and 1.89 mg/mL, respectively, against the nymphs. (E)-cinnamaldehyde significantly increased esterase and monooxygenase activity in both larvae and nymphs. Unlike fenvalerate, C. cassia essential oil and (E)-cinnamaldehyde did not cause mortality of T. molitor or H. axyridis adults.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that C. cassia essential oil and (E)-cinnamaldehyde have the potential to be developed into botanical-based larvicidal and nymphicidal agents for tick control.Graphical abstract

Highlights

The tick Haemaphysalis longicornis (Neumann) is a well-known vector of numerous pathogens of veterinary and medical importance
Compared with other essential oils, for example, essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus (LC50 values of 28.06 and 28.18 mg/mL for larvae and nymphs of H. longicornis, respectively) [41], C. cassia bark essential oil tested in this study showed greater acaricidal activity against the larvae and nymphs of H. longicornis
The C. cassia products tested in the present study, especially the essential oil and (E)-cinnamaldehyde, exhibited good acaricidal activity against larvae and nymphs of Haemaphysalis longicornis, whereas no toxic effect was found against the terrestrial invertebrates T. molitor and Harmonia axyridis, which suggests that they may not be harmful to non-target terrestrial invertebrates when used as acaricides

Summary

Introduction

The tick Haemaphysalis longicornis (Neumann) is a well-known vector of numerous pathogens of veterinary and medical importance. Control of this tick has attracted much attention because of its ability to acquire and transmit numerous zoonotic pathogens, including severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus [2, 3]. It is a major pest of livestock in Australia and New Zealand, and infestation, which can cause exsanguination, can lead to economic losses related to reduced growth and production [4]. Cinnamomum (Lauraceae) is among the plant genera with promising insecticidal activity [9] This genus is composed of about 250 species, including the economically important Cinnamomum cassia Presl [10]

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