From an Invasive Weed to an Insecticidal Agent: Exploring the Potential of in Insect Management Strategies-A Review

Overview

Journal Int J Mol Sci

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Chemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2024 Dec 17

PMID 39684506

Authors

Randeep Kumar

Niraj Guleria

Mudagadde G Deeksha

Nisha Kumari

Ravendra Kumar

Arun Kumar Jha

Neha Parmar

Pritam Ganguly

Eloisa Helena de Aguiar Andrade

Oberdan Oliveira Ferreira

Mozaniel Santana de Oliveira

Chandini

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

is weed with a wide range of chemical constituents, including primary and secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and terpenoids. These compounds contribute to its medicinal and pesticidal potential. The essential oils and different solvent fractions derived from exhibit notable variations in their respective chemical compositions across various plant parts, spatial distributions, and interspecific comparisons. The principal components, notably lantadene A, lantadene B, lantadene C, lantadene D, β-caryophyllene, α-humulene, and several others, constitute a significant portion of the essential oil derived from the leaves and flowers. Researchers have discovered that oil exhibits potent insecticidal activity against a range of pests, with variations in potency observed across different seasons due to changes in chemical composition. In addition to the essential oils, solvent extracts of , primarily methanolic extracts of the leaves of this species, demonstrate considerable potential as fumigant and contact toxins for stored grain pests. However, these have been comparatively less characterized with respect to their insecticidal properties, particularly in comparison to the essential oils. Molecular docking studies have demonstrated that phytochemical compounds present in the plants interfere with the activity of several enzymes that are responsible for the growth and survival of insects. For example, compounds such as β-caryophyllene and linalool exhibited a high binding affinity to AChE, thereby enhancing its neurotoxic effects. In conclusion, this review identifies as a natural insecticide with a complex set of modes of action attributed to its rich phytochemical profile. The integration of traditional knowledge with modern molecular techniques might expose avenues for the sustainable management of pests and control, ultimately making a key resource for such applications. Further studies are necessary to characterize such bioactive compounds and their uses in controlling pests in agricultural operations.

Citing Articles

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