Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Eco-Friendly Larvicidal Compounds from Cuscuta chinensis Seed Extract against Culex quinquefasciatus without Non-Target Toxicity

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Proceedings of the Zoological Society Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Mosquitoes are accountable for the tedious threat to human civilization globally. To combat the culicid-borne diseases, botanicals have gained considerable momentum over synthetic pesticides for their eco-friendly nature. The objective of the present study is to find out novel toxic phytocompounds from the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis for strategic control of mosquito population as an alternative approach. To develop bio-rational larvicides, extracts were made from the seeds of C. chinensis with six organic solvents such as petroleum ether, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform: methanol (1:1), acetone, and absolute alcohol using a Soxhlet extractor. All the plant extracts were screened separately against larval immatures of Culex quinquefasciatus as indicated by World Health Organization (WHO). The chloroform: methanol extract showed the highest toxicity with 50% lethal concentration (LC50) value ranging from 68.01 ppm to 112.71 ppm. FT-IR spectrum indicated the presence of amides and ketones as major functional groups in the bioactive fraction of chloroform: methanol extract of C. chinensis. GC–MS analysis showed prominent peaks for Erythro 3-bromo 2-pentanol (46.45%) with other six phytocompounds. There was no significant toxicity of C. chinensis against some non-target organisms. The isolated compounds from this plant are potent larvicide and can be considered for further exploration.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

All data is present in the manuscript.

Code availability

Not Applicable.

References

  • Adhikari, U., and G. Chandra. 2012. Laboratory evaluation of ethyl acetate and chloroform: Methanol (1:1 v/v) extract of Swietenia mahagoni leaf against Japanese encephalitis vector Culex vishuni group. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Diseases 2: 451–455.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Akbar, S., M. Nisa, and M. Tariq. 1985. CNS depressant activity of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. Pharmaceutical Biology 23: 91–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagavan, A., and A.A. Rahuman. 2011. Evaluation of larvicidal activity of medicinal plant extracts against three mosquito vectors. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 4: 29–34.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bansal, S.K., K.V. Singh, S. Sharma, and M.R. Sherwani. 2011. Comparative larvicidal potential of different plant parts of Withania somnifera against vector mosquitoes in the semi-arid region of Rajasthan. Journal of Environmental Biology 32: 71–75.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barraud, P.J. 1934. The fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma Family Culicidae. Diptera Tribes Megarhinini and Culicini. London: Taylor & Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benelli, G., and H. Mehlhorn. 2016. Declining malaria, rising dengue and Zika virus: Insights for mosquito vector control. Parasitology Research 115: 1747–1754.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bhan, S., L. Mohan, and C.N. Srivastava. 2015. Efficacy of Cuscuta reflexa extract and its synergistic activity with Temephos against mosquito larvae. International Journal of Mosquito Research 2: 34–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chandra, G. 1995. Peak period of filarial transmission. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 53: 378–379.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chandra, G. 2000. Mosquito. Kolkata: Sribhumi Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chandra, G. 2008. Nature limits filarial transmission. Parasites and Vectors 1: 1–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chowdhury, N., A. Ghosh, and G. Chandra. 2008. Mosquito larvicidal activities of Solanum villosum berry extract against the dengue vector Stegomyia aegypti. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 8: 10.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Christophers, S.R. 1933. The fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma.

  • Das, D., and G. Chandra. 2012. Mosquito larvicidal activity of Rauvolfia serpentina L. seeds against Culex quinquefasciatus Say. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 5: 42–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dong, Y., M. Zhang, and B. Ling. 2005. Antifeeding effects of crude lantadene from Lantana camara on Plutella xylostella and Spodeoptera litura larvae. Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao 16: 2361–2364.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Finney, D.J. 1971. Probit Analysis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghosh, A., and G. Chandra. 2006. Biocontrol efficacy of Cestrum diurnum (L.) (Solanales: Solanaceae) against the larval forms of Anopheles stephensi. Natural Products Research 20: 371–379.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghosh, A., N. Chowdhury, and G. Chandra. 2012. Plant extracts as potential mosquito larvicides. Indian Journal of Medical Research 135: 581–598.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Govindarajan, M., and G. Benelli. 2016. Eco-friendly larvicides from Indian plants: Effectiveness of lavandulyl acetate and bicyclogermacrene on malaria, dengue and Japanese encephalitis mosquito vectors. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 133: 395–402.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Han, S.X., S.L. Yao, Y.Y. Li, and T.S. Wang. 2011. Protective effects of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. extract on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. Chinese Pharmaceutical Bulletin 27: 533–536.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hari, I., and N. Mathew. 2018. Larvicidal activity of selected plant extracts and their combination against the mosquito vectors Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 25: 9176–9185.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Howard, A.F.B., G. Zhou, and F.X. Omlin. 2007. Malaria mosquito control using edible fish in western Kenya: Preliminary findings of a controlled study. BMC Public Health 7: 199–204.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, A.G., Y.L. Yi, F. Ling, L. Lu, Q.Z. Zhang, and G.X. Wang. 2013. Screening of plant extracts for anthelmintic activity against Dactylogyrus intermedius (Monogenea) in goldfish (Carassius auratus). Parasitology Research 112: 4065–4072.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kamraj, C., A. Bagavan, G. Elango, A.A. Zahir, G. Rajakumar, S. Marimuthu, T. Santhoshkumar, and A.A. Rahuman. 2011. Larvicidal activity of medicinal plant extracts against Anopheles Subpictus & Culex tritaeniorhynchus. Indian Journal of Medical Research 134: 101–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karmegam, N., M. Sakthivadivel, V. Anuradha, and T. Daniel. 1997. Indigenus plant extracts as larvicidal agents against Culex quinquefasciatus Say. Bioresource Technology 59: 137–140.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Komalamishra, Y., Y. Trongtokit, Y. Rongsriyam, and C. Apiwathnasorn. 2005. Screening for larvicidal activity in some Thai plants against four mosquito vector species. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine 36: 1412–1422.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, S.E., J.E. Kim, and H.S. Lee. 2001. Insecticide resistance in increasing interest. Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Biotechnology 44: 105–112.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, D.Z., D.Y. Peng, R. Zhang, and X.X. Xu. 2008. Effects of Cuscuta chinensis polysaccharide on diabetic mice by alloxan. Anhui Medical and Pharmaceutical Journal 12: 900–901.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liao, J.C., W.T. Chang, M.S. Lee, Y.J. Chiu, W.J. Chao, Y.C. Lin, M.K. Lin, and Y.H. Peng. 2014. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Cuscuta chinensis seeds in mice. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 42: 223–242.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Z.L., Q.Z. Liu, S.S. Du, and Z.W. Deng. 2012. Mosquito larvicidal activity of alkaloids and limonoids derived from Evodia rutaecarpa unripe fruits against Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae). Parasitology Research 111: 991–996.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Macedo, M.E., R.A. Consoli, T.S. Grandi, A.M. dos Anjos, A.B. de Oliveira, N.M. Mendes, R.O. Queiroz, and C.L. Zani. 1997. Screening of Asteraceae (Compositae) plant extracts for larvicidal activity against Aedes fluviatilis (Diptera: Culicidae). The Memórias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 92: 565–570.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mehlhorn, H. 2015. Encyclopedia of Parasitology. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mehra, B.K., and P.K. Hiradhar. 2002. Cuscuta hyalina Roth., an insect development inhibitor against common house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus Say. Journal of Environmental Biology 23: 335–339.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mehta, P.K., R. Rauniyar, and B.P. Gupta. 2018. Microfilaria persistent foci during post MDA and the risk assessment of resurgence in India. Tropical Medicine and Health 46: 25–30.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Nakahara, K., G. Trakoontivakorn, N.S. Alzoreky, M. Onishi-Kameyama, and M. Yoshida. 2002. Antimutagenicity of some edible Thai plants, and a bioactive carbazole alkaloid, mahanine, isolated from Micromelum minutum. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 50: 4796–4802.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Raghavendra, K., S.P. Singh, S.K. Subbarao, and A.P. Dash. 2009. Laboratory studies on mosquito larvicidal efficacy of aqueous and hexane extracts of dried fruit of Solanum nigrum Linn. Indian Journal of Medical Research 130: 74–77.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rajkumar, S., and A. Jebanesan. 2005. Oviposition deterrent and skin repellent activities of Solanum trilobatum leaf extract against the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi. Journal of Insect Science 5: 15.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ravi Kiran, S., K. Bhavani, P. Sita Devi, B.R.R. Rao, and K.J. Reddy. 2006. Composition and larvicidal activity of leaves and stem essential oils of Chloroxylon swietenia DC against Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi. Bioresource Technology 97: 2481–2484.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rawani, A., K.M. Haldar, A. Ghosh, and G. Chandra. 2009. Larvicidal activities of three plants against filarial vector Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae). Parasitology Research 105: 1411–1417.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Robert, V., G.L. Goff, F. Ariey, and J.B. Duchemin. 2002. A possible alternative method for collecting mosquito larvae in rice fields. Malaria Journal 1: 4.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Shin, S., Y.J. Lee, J.E. Kim, A.S. Lee, D.G. Kang, and H.S. Lee. 2011. Effect of Cuscuta chinensis on renal function in ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute renal failure rats. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 39: 889–902.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Singha, S., S. Banerjee, and G. Chandra. 2011. Synergistic effect of Croton caudatus (fruits) and Tiliacora acuminata (flowers) extracts against filarial vector Culex quinquefasciatus. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 1: S159–S164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, T.J., J. An, X.H. Chen, Q.D. Deng, and L. Yang. 2014. Assessment of Cuscuta chinensis seeds’ effect on melanogenesis: Comparison of water and ethanol fractions invitro and invivo. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 154: 240–248.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Z.Q., H. Perumalsam, M. Wang, S. Shu, and Y.J. Ahn. 2016. Larvicidal activity of Magnolia denudata seed hydrodistillate constituents and related compounds and liquis formulations towards two susceptible and two wild mosquito species. Pest Management Science 72: 897–906.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • WHO. 2005.Guidelines for laboratory and field testing of mosquito larvicides. Communicable disease control, prevention and eradication scheme. WHO, Geneva; 2005, WHO/CDS/WHOPES/GCDPP/ 1.3

  • Yang, Y.C., S.G. Lee, H.K. Lee, M.K. Kim, and H.S. Lee. 2002. A piperidine amide extracted from Piper longum L. fruit shows activity against Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 50: 3765–3767.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yen, F.L., T.H. Wu, L.T. Lin, and C.C. Lin. 2007. Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Cuscuta chinensis against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 111: 123–128.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the UGC-SAP-DRS, New Delhi for providing infrastructure and to Prof. A. Mukherjee for identifying the plant.

Funding

Not Applicable.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mosquito, Microbiology, and Nanotechnology Research Units, Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, The University of Burdwan, Purba Bardhaman, Burdwan, West Bengal, 713104, India

    Goutam Chandra

  2. Department of Zoology, Sreegopal Banerjee College, Bagati, Hooghly, West Bengal, 712148, India

    Sumanta Chakraborty

Authors
  1. Sumanta Chakraborty
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Goutam Chandra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

SC performed the experiments, collected the data, analyzed the data and prepared the first draft of the manuscript. GC supervised the research and edited the manuscript. Both SC and GC approved the final draft of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Goutam Chandra.

Ethics declarations

Conflicts of interest

Authors have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

Not Applicable.

Consent to participate

Not Applicable.

Consent for publication

Authors give consent for publication.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chakraborty, S., Chandra, G. Eco-Friendly Larvicidal Compounds from Cuscuta chinensis Seed Extract against Culex quinquefasciatus without Non-Target Toxicity. Proc Zool Soc 75, 94–102 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12595-021-00427-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12595-021-00427-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation