Development of a Larvicidal Nanoemulsion with Pterodon emarginatus Vogel Oil

PLoS One. 2016 Jan 7;11(1):e0145835. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145835. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Pterodon emarginatus Vogel is a Brazilian species that belongs to the family Fabaceae, popularly known as sucupira. Its oil has several biological activities, including potent larvicidal property against Aedes aegypti. This insect is the vector of dengue, a tropical disease that has been considered a critical health problem in developing countries, such as Brazil. Most of dengue control methods involve larvicidal agents suspended or diluted in water and making active lipophilic natural products available is therefore considered a technological challenge. In this context, nanoemulsions appear as viable alternatives to solve this major problem. The present study describes the development of a novel nanoemulsion with larvicidal activity against A. aegypti along with the required Hydrophile Lipophile Balance determination of this oil. It was suggested that the mechanism of action might involve reversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and our results also suggest that the P. emarginatus nanoemulsion is not toxic for mammals. Thus, it contributes significantly to alternative integrative practices of dengue control, as well as to develop sucupira based nanoproducts for application in aqueous media.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / metabolism
  • Aedes / drug effects*
  • Aedes / enzymology
  • Aedes / growth & development
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Dengue / prevention & control
  • Emulsions
  • Fabaceae / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Insect Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Insect Proteins / metabolism
  • Insecticides / isolation & purification
  • Insecticides / pharmacology*
  • Larva / drug effects*
  • Larva / enzymology
  • Larva / growth & development
  • Lethal Dose 50
  • Mice
  • Mosquito Control / methods
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Oils, Volatile / isolation & purification
  • Oils, Volatile / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry

Substances

  • Emulsions
  • Insect Proteins
  • Insecticides
  • Oils, Volatile
  • Plant Extracts
  • Acetylcholinesterase

Grants and funding

This study was supported by CNPQ (Rede Amazônica de Pesquisa em Biofármacos - 407768/2013-0) and FAPEAP (PRODETEC Araguari - process no. 250.203.035/2013).