In silico and In vitro Tests of Phytocompounds Extracted from Leaves of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng as Biopesticides Against Enzymes, Proteins and Selected Cell Lines of the Coleoptera Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabr., 1775)

Abstract

The majority of synthetic pesticides have negative consequences on both the environment and human health, making insect pest management a global economic and ecological disaster. Crude extracts of phytocompounds from Plectranthus amboinicus were tested for their pesticidal effects on a certain enzyme cell line. An in silico molecular docking analysis of phytocompounds showed that the enzymes Glutathione S-Transferase (7RKA), Mytocontrial (5H3F), Acetylcholinesterase (7QAK), GABA receptor (7WGT), and DNA nucleotidylexotransferase (6GO4) interacted strongly with the phytocompounds. Usnic acid showed higher in-silico biopesticidal activity against Callosobruchus maculatus when compared to reference pesticide Dichlorvos and Malathion. A silica gel column chromatographic technique with appropriate solvent extract has been used to isolate the highly active components of usnic acid. In vitro studies revealed that, after 96 hours, The Usnic acid mean observed mortality percentage is 49.6% (24hr), 64.8 (48hr), 74.8% (72hr) and 87.2% (96hr). causes the maximum toxicity of Callosobruchus maculatus compared to the reference pesticides Diclorvos (84.6% & LC50 value 6.65 mg/ml) and Malathion (92% & LC50 value 5.62 mg/ml). Usnic acid exhibits promise as a pesticidal agent when compared to the reference medications. Consequently, these specific chemicals might offer substitute therapies that augment the traditional applications of the plants that are being studied.