Nano-encapsulated Cu(II) complex as a promising insecticidal for Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Eduardo José de Arruda; Glenda Biasotto; Marisa Masumi Beppu; Fernando Jorge Monteiro; Pedro L Granja; Maria Rangel; Andreia Leite; Isaías Cabrini; Tiago Santos; Daniel A Gonçalves; Herintha Coeto Neitzke Abreu

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23198

Nano-encapsulated Cu(II) complex as a promising insecticidal for Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Heliyon. 2023 Dec 4;10(1):e23198. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23198. eCollection 2024 Jan 15.

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Exact Sciences and Technology (FACET), Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados, MS, Brazil.
² Faculty of Chemical Engineering (FEQ), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
³ Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
⁴ Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), Porto, Portugal.
⁵ Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV)- Network for Chemistry and Technology (REQUIMTE), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
⁶ LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
⁷ Department of Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
⁸ Faculty of Health Sciences (FCS), Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados, MS, Brazil.

Abstract

Nanoparticle (NP) research is an area of scientific interest with high potential for application in biomedical, optical, and electronic fields. Due to their relatively large surface area compared to their mass, NPs can be more chemically reactive and change their reactive strength or other properties. NP-based drug delivery systems provide transport and an effective and controlled way to release the drugs. This work aimed to study the solubility and biological activity of nano-encapsulated copper metal complexes for the induction of toxicity and mortality in larvae of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. After the nano-encapsulated metal complexes were prepared, the efficiency of this incorporation was determined by electron paramagnetic resonance, and toxicity bioassays were performed. The polymeric-based PLGA NPs encapsulating metal complexes exhibited high toxicity and specificity for target organisms (insect vectors, i.e., A. aegypti), with relatively less environmental impact and long-term control of their breeding.

Keywords: Dengue; Drug release; Population control; Social technology; Vectors; Zika virus.