Larvicidal activity of the water extract of Moringa oleifera seeds against Aedes aegypti and its toxicity upon laboratory animals
Autor(es): Ferreira, Paulo M. P.; Carvalho, Ana F. U.; Farias, Davi F.; Cariolano, Nara G.; Melo, Vania M. M.; Queiroz, Maria G. R.; Martins, Alice M. C.; Machado-Neto, Joaquim G.
Resumo: In this work, biological effects of the water extract of Moringa oleifera seeds (WEMOS) were assessed on eggs and 3(rd) instar larvae of Aedes aegypti and on its toxicity upon laboratory animals (Daphnia magna, mice and rats). Crude WEMOS showed a LC(50) value of 1260 mu g/mL, causing 99.2 +/- 2.9% larvae mortality within 24 h at 5200 mu g/mL, though this larvicidal activity has been lost completely at 80 degrees C/10 min. WEMOS did not demonstrate capacity to prevent egg hatching. After extensive dialyses of the crude WEMOS into water-soluble dialyzable (DF) and non-dyalizable (NDF) fractions, only DF maintained its efficacy to kill larvae. Acute toxicity evaluations on daphnids (EC(50) of 188.7 mu g/mL) and mice (LD(50) of 446.5 mg/kg body weight) pointed out to low toxicity. Despite the thymus hypertrophy, WEMOS revealed to be harmless in orally and subacutely-treated rats. In conclusion, WEMOS has thermostable bioactive compounds against Ae. aegypti larvae with apparent molecular mass lower than 12 kDa and moderately toxic potential.
Palavras-Chave: Aedes Aegypti; Daphnia Magna; Larvicidal Activity; Moringa Oleifera Seeds; Toxicity
Imprenta: Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, v. 81, n. 2, p. 207-216, 2009
Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Immunology
Data de publicação: 2009
