Fitoterapia 79 (2008) 283 – 286 www.elsevier.com/locate/fitote
Short report
Insect growth regulatory activity of Vitex trifolia and Vitex agnus-castus essential oils against Spilosoma obliqua Shishir Tandon ⁎, Ashutosh K. Mittal, A.K. Pant Department of Chemistry, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Pantnagar- 263 145 U.S. Nagar (Uttarakhand), India Received 23 February 2007; accepted 20 November 2007 Available online 19 February 2008
Abstract Essential oils of Vitex trifolia and Vitex agnus-castus were evaluated against Vth instar larvae of Spilosoma obliqua, when applied topically on the dorsal side of mesothoracic region, for insect growth regulatory activity. This treatment caused extended larval period and pupal period, increase in larval mortality and adult deformity and decrease in adult emergence, fecundity of female and egg fertility of test insect. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Vitex trifolia; Vitex agnus-castus; Spilosoma obliqua; Insect growth regulatory activity
1. Plant Vitex trifolia and V. agnus-castus L. (Verbenaceae), leaves collected from Pantnagar were identified by Prof. Y.P.S. Pangti, Department of Botany, Kumaun University, Nainital and maintained in Department of Chemistry, C.B.S. and H., G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (India). 2. Uses in the traditional medicines V. trifolia is used to treat various disorders like fever, inflammation, health care, increase in body weight, nematicidal activity and anti-tumor activity [1–5]. V. agnus-castus is a medicinal plant with a long tradition in folk medicine as anaphrodisiac, anti-oestrus cycle effect, relieve menstrual disorders, snakebites and scorpion sting, eye diseases, stomachache, relieves pain, eupeptic, emmenagogous, antispasmodic, aperitif, soporific action, mastopathies, galattogogous, activity against P388 leukemia cells, inhibition of prolactin synthesis and inhibitor for dopamine D2 and opiod [6–16].
⁎ Corresponding author. Tel.: +915944 233350x4503 (O); fax: +91 5944 233473. E-mail addresses:
[email protected],
[email protected] (S. Tandon). 0367-326X/$ - see front matter © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2007.11.032
284
S. Tandon et al. / Fitoterapia 79 (2008) 283–286
3. Previously isolated classes of constituents V. trifolia: flavonoids, phenolic acids, steroids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes [3,17–19]. V. agnus-castus: iridoids, flavonoids, diterpenes, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes [20–30]. 4. Tested materials Essential oils of fresh leaves of V. trifolia and V. agnus-castus extracted by hydro-distillation in Clevenger's apparatus. Yields: V. trifolia, 0.21% and of V. agnus-castus, 0.26%. 5. Studied activity Culture of S. obliqua was maintained at 28 + 2 ˚C and relative humidity 70 + 5%. The larvae were fed on fresh castor leaves (Ricinus communis). Final instar larvae of S. obliqua were treated tropically with the respective amounts (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 μl) of essential oils, on the ventral side of the meso-thoracic region using 25.0 μl precalibrated Hamilton syringe. For each treatment 30 larvae were treated and equal number of larvae treated with acetone served as control. After topical application the larvae were placed in pre-sterilized plastic jars (250 ml capacity), each jar having ten larvae and provided with fresh caster leaves as food. Observations on larval mortality, reduction in larval period, pupal period, adult emergence, adult deformity, fecundity and egg fertility were recorded. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) in a completely randomized block design (CRD) to determine critical difference (CD) among the treatments. The difference of two means between treatments exceeding CD value is significant [31]. The data in percentage were subjected to angular transformation because of binomial proportion [32]. 6. Results Effect of essential oils on larval stage. The data (Tables 1, 2) indicate that there was a progressive increase in larval mortality and larval duration of S. obliqua with the increase in the amount of essential oils applied topically on the Vth instar of larvae in various treatments. The mortality of larvae ranged from 25% to 75%, when S. obliqua larvae were treated with essential oil of V. trifolia compared to control (4.13%) (Table1). All the treatments exhibited significantly high mortality compared to control (Table 1). Essential oil of V. agnus-castus was found to be less effective than V trifolia. At 2.5 μl topical application maximum mortality (70.83%) was observed. Application of lower amounts also significantly caused mortality (Table 2).The data in Table 1 indicate that significant prolonged larval duration (27 days) of S. obliqua was observed with 2.5 μl topical application of V. trifolia essential oil. While all other treatments of V. trifolia (0.5 μl, 1.0 μl, 1.5 μl and 2.0 μl) were found to be non-significant (Table 1). Topical application of V. agnus-castus oil on larvae showed a
Table 1 Effect of V. trifolia essential oil on different biological parameters of the S. obliqua Vth instar larvae Stage of insect
Larval mortality (%) Larval duration (days) Pupal duration (days) Adult emergence (%) Adult deformity (%) Fecundity/female Egg fertility (%)
Insects number 30 30 30 30 30 100
Amount of essential oil 0.5 μl
1.0 μl
1.5 μl
2.0 μl
2.5 μl
25.00 (29.99) 25.07 16.33 70.83 (57.41) 0.00 550.67 91.01 (72.65)
33.33 (35.17) 25.03 17.93 54.17 (47.41) 0.00 532.33 88.20 (69.94)
50.00 (44.99) 25.36 18.27 41.67 (40.17) 0.00 502.67 84.83 (67.20)
50.00 (44.99) 25.67 19.00 20.83 (26.90) 8.33 (13.99) 469.67 69.67 (56.59)
75.0 (59.99) 27.00 19.00 4.17 (7.28) 4.17 (7.28) 0.00 0.00
In parentheses are angular transformed values. ns: non-significant.
Control (untreated)
CD (P b 0.05)
4.17 (7.28) 25.33 15.85 91.67 (76.19) 0.00 579.33 93.53 (75.38)
(14.16) 0.58 0.52 (13.81) ns 21.54 (3.49)
S. Tandon et al. / Fitoterapia 79 (2008) 283–286
285
Table 2 Effect of essential oil of Vitex agnus-castus on different biological parameters of Vth instar larvae of S. obliqua Stage of insect
No. of insect (n)
Larval mortality (%) 30 Larval duration (days) 30 Pupal duration (days) 30 Adult emergence (%) 30 Adult deformity (%) 30 Fecundity /female Egg fertility (%) 100
Amount of essential oil 0.5 μl
1.0 μl
1.5 μl
2.0 μl
2.5 μl
25.00 (29.48) 24.90 17.13 62.50 (52.58) 0.00 572.00 92.33 (73.93)
33.33 (35.17) 25.13 17.93 54.17 (47.41) 0.00 543.33 88.83 (70.53)
37.50 (37.58) 25.40 18.28 45.83 (42.58) 0.00 506.67 78.67 (62.51)
45.83 (42.58) 25.50 18.53 33.33 (35.17) 16.67(23.80) 472.00 65.50 (54.65)
70.83 (57.41) 26.33 19.00 4.17 (7.28) 4.17(7.28) 0.00 0.00
Control (untreated)
CD (P b 0.05)
4.17 (7.28) 24.83 15.85 91.67 (76.19) 0.00 579.33 93.53 (75.38)
(13.03) 0.46 0.51 (17.03) ns 16.38 (3.16)
In parentheses are angular transformed values. ns: non-significant.
significant increase in larval duration at 1.5 μl, 2.0 μl and 2.5 μl topical application (25.40, 25 and 26.33, respectively) compared to control; other treatments show non-significant increase in larval duration (Table 2). Effect of essential oils on pupal stage. Data reported in Table 1 indicates that pupal duration was increased progressively in all treatments with all the oils used in the studies. There was non-significant increase in pupal duration of S. obliqua when treated with V. trifolia, at 0.5 μl topical application, while other applications significantly prolonged the pupal duration. In case of oil of V. agnus-castus, a gradual increase in pupal period with increase in amount of oil in topical application was observed. All treatments showed significantly prolonged pupal duration over control (Table 2). Effect of oils on adult stage. The data reported in Tables 1and 2 indicates that with the increase in the amount of oils in topical application there were a decrease in adult emergence, fecundity and egg fertility. Increase in adult deformity with increase in the amount of different oils was also observed in the experiment conducted. When larvae were treated with essential oil of V. trifolia, the adult emergence at 2.5 μl topical application was recorded to be 4.17% compared to 91.67% in control (Table 1). Oil of V. agnus-castus also showed a similar trend (Table 2).The data on fecundity and egg fertility revealed that at maximum amount of topical application, the population did not reach the adult stage, thus no observations on these two parameters were recorded. 7. Conclusion From these results it can be inferred that with the use of essential oils of V. trifolia and V. agnus-castus all the biological parameters where adversely affected. The larval duration, larval mortality, pupal duration and adult deformity increased with the increase in amount of topical application of oils. However, adult emergence, fecundity and egg fertility decreased with increase in amount of oils. Many essential oils and their constituents are reported to possess juvenile hormone activity [33–35]. Juvenile hormone mimics result in the deranged development showing several external deformities such as larval–pupal, pupal–adult intermediates tested essential oils of Artemisia annua for IGR (Insect Growth Regulatory) activity against Dysdercus koenigii and nymphal–adult intermediate, reduced adult emergence and deformed adults [36]. Our experimental findings are in accordance with the findings of these workers. Acknowledgements Financial assistance from the U. P. Govt. sponsored project is thankfully acknowledged. References [1] Suksamaran A, Werawattaanametia K Brophy JJ. Flavour Fragrance J 1991;6:97. [2] Paul SR, Singh KK. Medico-botanical lore of some plants used by the rural folk of Goa, India. Int Conf Curr Prog Med Aromat Pl. Res. Calcutta, India p 101 30 Dec. 1994 –1 Jan 1995. [3] Magkudidjoja M, Sirait M, Andreanus AJ. Phytomedicine 1996/97;3:296 Suppl. [4] Joymati L, Sobita L, Mohilal M, Dhanachand C. Ann Pl Prot Sci 1999;7:233.
286 [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36]
S. Tandon et al. / Fitoterapia 79 (2008) 283–286 Hermandiez MM, Heraso C, Villarreal ML, Varga AI, Aranda E. J Ethnopharmacol 1999;67:37. Hobbs C. The Women's Herb—Vitex. Boteng California Press USA; 1991. p. 221. Weiss RF. Lehrbuch der Phytotherapie Hippokrates. Stuttgart: Verlag; 1995. p. 390. Chopra RN, Chopra IC, Handa KL, Kapur LD. Chopra's Indigenous Drugs of India. Calcutta UN: Dhar and Sons, Pvt. Ltd; 1958. p. 529, 608. Negri G. In: Charlwood BV, Banthorpe DV, editors. Methods in biochemistry, vol. 7. London: Academic Press; 1979. p. 365. Lanzara L. A Review. Proceedings Int Symposium medicinal and aromatic plants. In: Craker LE, Nolan L, Shetty K, editors. Acta Hort, vol. 426; 1994. p. 105. Karting TH. Erboristeria Domani Giugna; 1991. p. 44. Rossi M. Schede techniche Eboristeria Domani, vol. 3; 1990. p. 25. Sliutz G, Speiser P, Schultz AM, Spona J, Zeillinger R. Horm Metab Res 1993;25:253. Hirobe C, Qiano ZS, Takeyo K, Itokawa H. Phytochemistry 1997;40:521. Odenthal KP, Capasso F, Basso F, De Pasquale R, Evans FJ, Mascolo N. Vitex agnus-castus traditional dry and actual indications. Proceedings of 2nd Int Symp Nat Drugs, Maratea, vol. 28. Italy: John Wiley and Sons; 1998. p. 101. Meier B, Beyer D, Hoberf E, Sticher O, Schaffner W. Phytomedicine 2000;7:373. Ramesh P, Nair AG, Ramachandran SS. Fitoterapia 1986;57:282. Zhang Z, Wei Y, Zu N, Zhang S. Tianran Chaneou Yanjiu Yu Kuifa, vol. 6; 1994. p. 59. Zeng X, Fang Z, Wu Y, Zhang H. Zhangguo Zhangyao Zazhi 1996;21:167. Goerle K, Oehuke D, Sorcke H. Planta Med 1985;6:530. Hoberg E, Orjale J, Meier B, Stichden O. Phytochemistry 1999;52:1555. Ekundayo O, Hiltunen R, Holopainen M, Laakso I, Oguntimein B, Kauppine V. J Essent Oil Res 1990;2:115. Elgengaihi SE, Motawe HM, Omer EA, El-Bazz ZE. Indian Perfumer 1992;36:293. Danica K, Josip K, Nikola B. J Essent Oil Res 1994;6:341. Males Z, Blazevic N, Antolic A. Planta Med 1998;64:286. Zwaving JH, Bos R. Planta Med 1996;62. Moudachirou M, Ayedoun MA, Sossou PV, Garneau FX, Gagnon H, Jean FI. J Essent Oil Res 1998;10:343. Zoghbi Marias das GB, Andrade EHA, Maja JGS. Flavour Fragrance J 1999;14:211. Sorenson JM, Katsiotis ST. Planta Med 2000;66:245. Sorensen JM, Katsiotis ST. J Essent Oil Res 1999;11:599. Pance VG, Sukhatme PV. Statistical methods for agricultural workers. New Dehli: Publication and Information Division, Indian Councial of Agricultural Research; 1978. Senedor GW, Cochran WG. Statistical Methods. New Delhi: Oxford and IBH Publishing; 1968. p. 593. Bowers WS. Phytochemical disruption of insect development and behaviour. In: PA Hedir, editor. Bioregulation for pest control. ACS Symp. Ser. 276, Washington. Ann Chem Soc;1985. p. 51. Chadha MS, Lathika KN, Joshi NK, Banergi A. Biological effect of plumbagin on red cotton by Dysderus koenigii. Proc. 6th Intl Congr Pestic Chem IOPAC, Ottawa; 1986. 2. Solanki KR, Chitrashanker. Botanical insecticides and their future. Symposium Report held at Agriculture University, Udaipur, India; Feb. 24–26 2001. p. 99. Shakil NA, Saxena DS, Singh S, Gupta AK, Subramanyam B. Pestic Res J 2000;12:36.