Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Apr 2002)

Derris (Lonchocarpus) urucu (Leguminosae) Extract Modifies the Peritrophic Matrix Structure of Aedes aegypti (Diptera:Culicidae)

  • Desiely Silva Gusmão,
  • Valéria Páscoa,
  • Leda Mathias,
  • Ivo José Curcino Vieira,
  • Raimundo Braz-Filho,
  • Francisco José Alves Lemos

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762002000300017
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 97, no. 3
pp. 371 – 375

Abstract

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Aqueous suspension of ethanol extracts of Derris (Lonchocarpus) urucu (Leguminosae), collected in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, were tested for larvicidal activity against the mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera:Culicidae). The aim of this study was to observe the alterations of peritrophic matrix in Ae. aegypti larvae treated with an aqueous suspension of D. urucu extract. Different concentrations of D. urucu root extract were tested against fourth instar larvae. One hundred percent mortality was observed at 150 µg/ml (LC50 17.6 µg/ml) 24 h following treatment. In response to D. urucu feeding, larvae excreted a large amount of amorphous feces, while control larvae did not produce feces during the assay period. Ultrastructural studies showed that larvae fed with 150 µg/ml of D. urucu extract for 4 h have an imperfect peritrophic matrix and extensive damage of the midgut epithelium. Data indicate a protective role for the peritrophic matrix. The structural modification of the peritrophic matrix is intrinsically associated with larval mortality.

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