Abstract
Vector-borne diseases, such as those transmitted by Aedes aegypti, are a constant threat to inhabitants of tropical regions of the planet. Synthetic chemicals are commonly used as a strategy to control them; however, these products are known to persist in ecosystems and drive the appearance of resistance genes in arthropod vectors. Thus, the use of natural products has emerged as an environmentally friendly alternative in integrated vector control strategies. The present bioguided study investigated the larvicidal potential of Ipomoea cairica extracts, fractionated using thin-layer and open-column chromatography, because this species has been shown to exert larvicidal effects on the genus Aedes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nonvolatile components in ethanolic extract of I. cairica stems as a potential natural larvicidal, and coumarins, such as 7-hydroxy-6-methoxychromen-2-one (scopoletin) and 7-hydroxychromen-2-one (umbelliferone), were identified as major compounds; however, they were not shown to be responsible for the larvicidal activity. Based on the results of the larvicidal action tests, these coumarins are not directly responsible for the larvicidal activity, but this activity might be attributed to a synergistic effect of all the compounds present in the most active secondary fraction, called F.DCM, which had an LC50 value of 30.608 mg/L. This type of study has yet not been conducted in the region; therefore, it is an important contribution to recognizing a natural and easy-to-cultivate source of vector control, such I. cairica.
Highlights
Received: 9 December 2021Aedes aegypti is one of the most important vectors for the transmission of viral diseases, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Mayaro [1,2,3]
The chemical control of arthropod vectors has been used as an emergency strategy in the event of outbreaks; synthetic products, such as organophosphates, pyrethroids, and carbamates, are nonspecific and exhibit poor water solubility—they persist in ecosystems, and their inadequate use has caused the appearance of resistance in vectors in different parts of the world
The use of natural larvicides has emerged as an alternative for the control of arthropod vectors, since natural secondary metabolites with multiple bioactivities, including larvicidal activities, have been identified and are reincorporated into ecosystems once their function is fulfilled [5,6,7,8,9,10,11]
Summary
Received: 9 December 2021Aedes aegypti is one of the most important vectors for the transmission of viral diseases, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Mayaro [1,2,3]. 2010, more than 185,471 cumulative cases have been reported [4]. The use of natural larvicides has emerged as an alternative for the control of arthropod vectors, since natural secondary metabolites with multiple bioactivities, including larvicidal activities, have been identified and are reincorporated into ecosystems once their function is fulfilled [5,6,7,8,9,10,11]. Numerous studies have shown the contributions of essential oils and volatile fractions of plants as mosquito larvicides or repellents using specific extraction methods for this type of metabolite [10,12,13,14].
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