Estudio comparativo del dolor abdominal en las culturas maya Tzeltal, maya Tzotzil y maya Q ́eqchi ́y el uso de Ageratina ligustrina para su tratamiento / Comparative study of abdominal pain in the Mayan cultures Tzeltal, Maya Tzotzil and Maya Q ́eqchi´ and use of Ageratina ligustrina for the treatment

El presente estudio es una comparación del dolor abdominal producido por trastornos gastrointestinales, aliviado por Ageratina ligustrina , entre los grupos maya Tzeltal, Tzotzil y Q ́eqchi ́, el cual integró un enfoque etnomédico, etnobotánico y transcultural, comparando estudios previos con el presente trabajo de campo. Para evaluar la eficacia de Ageratina para aliviar el dolor abdominal, se realizó un inventario de las moléculas reportadas en esta especie, así como de su actividad farmacológica, a través de una revisión bibliográfica. Los resultados mostraron que la epidemiología del dolor producido por TGI, su etnobotánica y el modelo explicativo del dolor abdominal fueron similares entre grupos étnicos. Asimismo, se identificaron 27 moléculas con efectos antiinflamatorios y antinociceptivos, lo que podría explicar por qué esta especie es culturalmente importante para los pobladores maya Tzeltal, Tzotzil y Q ́eqch i ́ para el alivio del dolor abdominal, mientras que, desde el punto de vista biomédico, es una especie con potencial para inhibir el dolor visceral.

The current study is a comparison of the abdominal pain conception produced by gastrointestinal disorders, relieved by Ageratina ligustrina , among inhabitants of the Mayan Tzeltal, Tzotzil, and Q'eqchi' groups ethnomedical, ethnobotanical, and cross -cultural approaches were used to compare previous studies with the present field work. To evaluate the efficacy of A. ligustrina to relieve pain, also through a bibliographic review an inventory of the molecules present in this species was performed, as well as their pharmacological activity. The results showed that the epidemiology of pain produced by GID, its ethnobotany, and the explanatory model of abdominal pain are similar among ethnic groups. Likewise, 27 molecules with anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects were identified, which could explain why this species is culturally important for the Mayan Tzeltal, Tzotzil, and Q'eqchi' groups for the relief of abdominal pain, while, from a biomedical point of view, it is a species with potential to inhibit visceral pain.

Unusual 5/5 fused bicyclosesquiterpenoids from Eupatorium adenophorum.

The chemical analysis on the aerial sections of Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng. resulted in the identification of four unprecedented 5/5 fused bicyclosesquiterpenoids, eupatorid A (1), and its analogues named eupatorester A-C (2-4) using various chromatographic techniques. Their structures were unambiguously confirmed by detailed spectroscopic investigations (including 1D, 2D-NMR and HRMS), and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The anti-inflammatory activities, in vitro tumor growth inhibitory activities and antibacterial activities of these compounds were evaluated.

Obtaining 2,3-Dihydrobenzofuran and 3-Epilupeol from Ageratina pichinchensis (Kunth) R.King & Ho.Rob. Cell Cultures Grown in Shake Flasks under Photoperiod and Darkness, and Its Scale-Up to an Airlift Bioreactor for Enhanced Production.

Ageratina pichinchensis (Kunth) R.King & Ho.Rob. is a plant used in traditional Mexican medicine, and some biotechnological studies have shown that its calluses and cell suspension cultures can produce important anti-inflammatory compounds. In this study, we established a cell culture of A. pichinchensis in a 2 L airlift bioreactor and evaluated the production of the anti-inflammatory compounds 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (1) and 3-epilupeol (2). The maximum biomass production (11.90 ± 2.48 g/L) was reached at 11 days of culture and cell viability was between 80% and 90%. Among kinetic parameters, the specific growth rate (µ) was 0.2216 days-1 and doubling time (td) was 3.13 days. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of extracts showed the maximum production of compound 1 (903.02 ± 41.06 µg/g extract) and compound 2 (561.63 ± 10.63 µg/g extract) at 7 and 14 days, respectively. This study stands out for the significant production of 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran and 3-epilupeol and by the significant reduction in production time compared to callus and cell suspension cultures, previously reported. To date, these compounds have not been found in the wild plant, i.e., its production has only been reported in cell cultures of A. pichinchensis. Therefore, plant cell cultured in an airlift reactor can be an alternative for the improved production of these anti-inflammatory compounds.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of 3, 5-Diprenyl-4-hydroxyacetophenone Isolated from Ageratina pazcuarensis.

Inflammation is implicated in a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes. Plants are an important source of active anti-inflammatory compounds. The compound 3, 5-diprenyl-4-hydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) was isolated from the dichloromethane extract of the aerial parts of Ageratina pazcuarensis by chromatography and identified by spectroscopic (IR, NMR) and spectrometric (GC-MS) methods. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated on ear edema mouse induced with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) at 2 mg/ear. The antioxidant activity of DHAP was determined using DPPH assay. Cell viability was tested in J774A.1 macrophages, the levels of NO, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-10 production in macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and membrane lysis induced by hypotonic solution in erythrocytes were evaluated. DHAP diminished the ear edema mouse in 70.10%, and it had scavenger effect against the radical with IC50 of 26.00 ± 0.37 µg/mL. Likewise, 91.78 µM of this compound inhibited the production of NO (38.96%), IL-1ß (55.56%), IL-6 (51.62%), and TNF-α (59.14%) in macrophages and increased the levels of IL-10 (61.20%). Finally, 25 and 50 µg/mL DHAP provided the greatest protection against erythrocyte membrane lysis. These results demonstrate that DHAP has anti-inflammatory activity.

Three new cadinane-type sesquiterpenes from Eupatorium adenophorum spreng.

Three new cadinane-type sesquiterpenes, eupatorinones A-C (1-3), along with seven known compounds (4-10), were obtained from the petroleum ether fraction of 95% ethanol extract of Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng. The structures of these new compounds were determined by NMR, MS, and ECD spectra analysis. The configuration of compound 3 was established by quantum chemical calculations of NMR chemical shifts and ECD spectra, that matched the experimental data. In addition, compounds 1, 3 and 5 increased the glucose uptake in L6 cells by 1.42, 1.21 and 1.60 times, respectively.[Formula: see text].

α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from Ageratina grandifolia.

Fractionation of an aqueous extract from the aerial parts of Ageratina grandifolia yielded a new natural product, namely, 4-hydroxy-3-((S)-1'-angeloyloxy-(R)-2',3'-epoxy-3'-methyl)butylacetophenone (1), along with eight known compounds, including three flavonoids (2-4) and five chromenes (5-9). NMR data interpretation and DFT-calculated chemical shifts combined with DP4+ statistical and J-DP4 probability analyses allowed for the complete characterization of compound 1. The presence of compound 1 in a plant that biosynthesizes 2,2-dimethylchromenes is noteworthy, because an epoxy derivative has long been postulated as the reaction intermediate from the prenylated p-hydroxyacetophenones to cyclic dimethylchromenes. So far, this key intermediate has not been isolated, due to its purported chemical instability. Thus, this is the first report of a potential epoxide intermediate, leading to any of the chromene constituents of this plant. Compounds 1-9 inhibited yeast α-glucosidase with IC50 values ranging from 0.79 to 460 µM (acarbose, IC50 = 278.7 µM). The most active compounds were quercetagetin-7-O-(6-O-caffeoyl-ß-d-glucopyranoside (3) and 6-hydroxykaempferol-7-O-(6-O-caffeoyl-ß-d-glucopyranoside (4). Kinetic analysis of 3 revealed its mixed-type inhibitor nature. Docking studies into the crystallographic structure of yeast α-glucosidase (pdb 3A4A) predicted that 3 and 4 bind at the catalytic site of the enzyme.

Preliminary chemical characterization of ethanolic extracts from Colombian plants with promising anti - Trypanosoma cruzi activity.

Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, and it is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Latin America. There are no vaccines, and the chemotherapy available to treat this infection has serious side effects. In a search for alternative treatments, we determined the in vitro susceptibility of epimastigote and trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi and the cytotoxic effects on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of ethanolic extracts obtained from six different plant species. The ethanolic extracts of Ageratina vacciniaefolia, Clethra fimbriata and Siparuna sessiliflora showed antiprotozoal activity against epimastigotes and low cytotoxicity in mammalian cells. However, only the ethanolic extract of C. fimbriata showed activity against T. cruzi trypomastigotes, and it had low cytotoxicity in PBMCs. An analysis on the phytochemical composition of C. fimbriata extract showed that its metabolites were primarily represented by two families of compounds: flavonoids and terpenoids. Lastly, we analyzed whether the A. vacciniaefolia, C. fimbriata, or S. sessiliflora ethanolic extracts induced IFN-γ or TNF-α production. Significantly, ethanolic extracts of C. fimbriata induced TNF-α production and S. sessiliflora induced both cytokines. In addition, C. fimbriata and S. sessiliflora induced the simultaneous secretion of IFN-γ and TNF-α in CD8+ T cells. The antiprotozoal and immunomodulatory activity of C. fimbriata may be related to the presence of flavonoid and triterpene compounds in the extract. Thus, these findings suggest that C. fimbriata may represent a valuable source of new bioactive compounds for the therapeutic treatment of Chagas disease that combines trypanocidal activity with the capacity to boost the immune response.

Influence of the Phenological State of in the Antioxidant Potential and Chemical Composition of Ageratina havanensis. Effects on the P-Glycoprotein Function.

Ageratina havanensis (Kunth) R. M. King & H. Robinson is a species of flowering shrub in the family Asteraceae, native to the Caribbean and Texas. The aim of this work was to compare the quantitative chemical composition of extracts obtained from Ageratina havanensis in its flowering and vegetative stages with the antioxidant potential and to determine the effects on P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function. The quantitative chemical composition of the extracts was determined quantifying their major flavonoids by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS and by PCA analysis. The effects of the extracts on P-gp activity was evaluated by Rhodamine 123 assay; antioxidant properties were determined by DPPH, FRAP and inhibition of lipid peroxidation methods. The obtained results show that major flavonoids were present in higher concentrations in vegetative stage than flowering stage. In particular, the extracts obtained in the flowering season showed a significantly higher ability to sequester free radicals compared to those of the vegetative season, meanwhile, the extracts obtained during the vegetative stage showed a significant inhibitory effect against brain lipid peroxidation and a strong reductive capacity. This study also showed the inhibitory effects of all ethanolic extracts on P-gp function in 4T1 cell line; these effects were unrelated to the phenological stage. This work shows, therefore, the first evidence on: the inhibition of P-gp function, the antioxidant effects and the content of major flavonoids of Ageratina havanensis. According to the obtained results, the species Ageratina havanensis (Kunth) R. M. King & H. Robinson could be a source of new potential inhibitors of drug efflux mediated by P-gp. A special focus on all these aspects must be taking into account for future studies.

Effectiveness of an encecalin standardized extract of Ageratina pichinchensis on the treatment of onychomycosis in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Ageratina pichinchensis is utilized in traditional medicine for the treatment of dermatomycosis and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and mycological effectiveness of the topical administration of an enecalin standardized extract of A. pichinchensis for treating onychomycosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). A double blind, randomized, and controlled clinical trial was carried out that included patients with DM2 and who had mild or moderate onychomycosis. Participants were administered topically, for 6 months, a lacquer containing the encecalin standardized extract of A. pichinchensis (experimental group) or 8% ciclopirox (control group). In a large percentage of both, the control group (77.2%) and the experimental group (78.5%), clinical efficacy was detected as a decrease in the number of affected nails and a reduction in the severity of nail involvement. Without exhibiting statistically significant differences between groups, the encecalin standardized extract of A. pichinchensis was clinically and mycologically effective in the treatment of mild and moderate onychomycosis in patients with DM2. The treatment of onychomycosis in patients with DM2 implies a greater challenge, while control of blood glucose levels in these patients, played a very important role in the response of patients to treatment.

Establishment and Phytochemical Analysis of a Callus Culture from Ageratina pichinchensis (Asteraceae) and Its Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

A protocol was established to produce bioactive compounds in a callus culture of Ageratina pichinchensis by using 1 mg L-1 NAA with 0.1 mg L-1 KIN. The phytochemical study of the EtOAc extract obtained from the callus biomass, allowed the isolation and characterization of eleven secondary metabolites, of which dihydrobenzofuran (5) and 3-epilupeol (7), showed important anti-inflammatory activity. Compound 5 inhibits in vitro the secretion of NO (IC50 = 36.96 ± 1.06 µM), IL-6 (IC50 = 73.71 ± 3.21 µM), and TNF-α (IC50 = 73.20 ± 5.99 µM) in RAW (Murine macrophage cells) 264.7 macrophages, as well as the activation of NF-κB (40% at 150 µM) in RAW-blue macrophages, while compound 7 has been described that inhibit the in vivo TPA-induced ear edema, and the in vitro production of NO, and the PLA2 enzyme activity. In addition, quantitative GC-MS analysis showed that the anti-inflammatory metabolites 5 and 7 were not detected in the wild plant. Overall, our results indicated that A. pichinchensis can be used as an alternative biotechnological resource for obtaining anti-inflammatory compounds. This is the first report of the anti-inflammatory activity of compound 5 and its production in a callus culture of A. pichinchensis.

Effects of oil extracts of Eupatorium adenophorum on Phytophthora capsici and other plant pathogenic fungi in vitro.

The antifungal activity of oils extracted from Eupatorium adenophorum was tested against five phytopathogens in vitro. Oil extracts inhibited the mycelial growth of Phytophthora capsici which causes phytophthora blight in pepper. The minimum inhibitory concentration of oils against P. capsici was 500µg/ml after 7days incubation. At the ultrastructural level, oil extracts caused complete disorganization of intracellular organelles, cytoplasm depletion, disruption of cytoplasmic membranes and the cell wall. Membrane permeability increased with the increasing concentration of oil extracts. These results suggested that these oil extracts exhibited multiple modes of action including disruption of the cell membrane system. Furthermore, oil extracts combined with synthetic fungicides synergistically inhibited mycelial growth of P. capsici, which creates the possibility of reducing fungicide concentration needed to successfully control phytophthora blight in commercial pepper production. This study's use of multiple methods of analysis has increased our understanding of the mode of action of E. adenophorum oil extracts against P. capsici.

Oils extracted from Eupatorium adenophorum leaves show potential to control Phythium myriotylum in commercially-grown ginger.

Oils extracted from the leaves of Eupatorium adenophorum were tested in vitro and in vivo against the soilborne pathogen Pythium myriotylum which causes soft rot, a devastating disease of commercial ginger production in China. Twelve compounds accounting for 99.15% of the total oil composition were identified by GC-MS. The major components were 10Hß-9-oxo-agerophorone (37.03%), 10Hα-9-oxo-agerophorone (37.73%) and 9-oxo-10, 11-dehydro-agerophorone (23.41%). Antifungal activity was tested by the poisoned food technique against P. myriotylum, indicating minimum inhibitory concentrations of 100µg/ml after 7 days incubation. In addition, the oil extracts greatly inhibited the formation of both wet and dry mycelial biomass. The combination of E. adenophorum oil extracts and synthetic fungicides showed a strong synergistic effect, inhibiting the mycelial growth in in vitro assays. The synergistic effect of oil extracts with fungicides could allow fungicides to be used at reduced rates in the future which has environmental advantages. Oil extracts applied at 160 and 200µg/ml concentrations to ginger rhizomes before inoculation with P. myriotylum significantly reduced the infection rate in ginger. Examination by light and transmission electron microscopy revealed that oil extracts caused swelling of the hyphae, disruption of the cell wall, degradation of the cytoplasmic organelles and shortening of the cytoplasmic inclusion. These results suggested that the plasma membrane and endomembrane systems of P. myriotylum were severely damaged by the oil extracts of E. adenophorum which offer significant potential for use as a fungicide to control P. myriotylum.

Two New Thymol Derivatives from the Roots of Ageratina adenophora.

Two new thymol derivatives, 7,9-diisobutyryloxy-8-ethoxythymol (1) and 7-acetoxy-8-methoxy-9-isobutyryloxythymol (2), were isolated from fresh roots of Ageratina adenophora, together with four known compounds, 7,9-di-isobutyryloxy-8-methoxythymol (3), 9-oxoageraphorone (4), (-)-isochaminic acid (5) and (1α,6α)-10-hydroxycar-3-ene-2-one (6). Their structures were established on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis, and they were all isolated from the roots of A. adenophora for the first time. All the compounds were tested for their in vitro antibacterial activity toward three Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacterial strains. Thymol derivatives 1-3 only selectively showed slight in vitro bacteriostatic activity toward three Gram-positive bacteria. The two known carene-type monoterpenes 5 and 6 were found to show moderate in vitro antibacterial activity against all five tested bacterial strains, with MIC values from 15.6 to 62.5 µg/mL. In addition, compounds 5 and 6 were further revealed to show in vitro cytotoxicity against human tumor A549, HeLa and HepG2 cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 18.36 to 41.87 µM. However, their cytotoxic activities were inferior to those of reference compound adriamycin.

Effectiveness of Ageratina pichinchensis Extract in Patients with Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Controlled Pilot Study.

Previous clinical studies have demonstrated the antifungal effectiveness of Ageratina pichinchensis extracts when topically administered to patients with dermatomycosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of a 7% standardized extract of A. pichinchensis (intravaginal) in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis. The extract was standardized in terms of its encecalin content and administered during 6 days to patients with Candida albicans-associated vulvovaginitis. The positive control group was treated with Clotrimazole (100 mg). On day 7 of the study, a partial evaluation was carried out; it demonstrated that 94.1% of patients treated with Clotrimazole and 100% of those treated with the A. pichinchensis extract referred a decrease or absence of signs and symptoms consistent with vulvovaginal candidiasis. In the final evaluation, 2 weeks after concluding administration, 86.6% of patients in the control group and 81.2% (p = 0.65) of those treated with the A. pichinchensis extract demonstrated therapeutic success. Statistical analysis evidenced no significant differences between the two treatment groups. With the results obtained, it is possible to conclude that the standardized extract from A. pichinchensis, intravaginally administered, showed therapeutic and mycological effectiveness, as well as tolerability, in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis, without noting statistical differences in patients treated with Clotrimazole. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Hepatotoxicity of Eupatorium adenophorum extracts and the identification of major hepatotoxic components.

Eupatorium adenophorum can induce liver toxicity in animals. For the safe utilisation of the weed, the hepatotoxic components need to be discovered. In this study, in vitro hepatotoxicity of different extracts from E. adenophorum were determined on human hepatocyte cell line L02 and hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. The results showed that water extracts of E. adenophorum exhibited no hepatotoxicity in vitro while high concentrations of the organic solvent extracts had obvious hepatotoxicity. Sesquiterpenes may contribute to the toxicity based on the comparison of composition analysis. Three cadinene sesquiterpenes were purified and identified as 9-oxo-10,11-dehydroageraphorone, 10Hα-9-oxo-ageraphorone and 10Hß-9-oxo-ageraphorone. In vitro hepatotoxic effects of these components were investigated, the IC50 of the three compounds were 122.53, 87.52, and 108.80 µM in L02 cells and 151.92, 104.48, and 138.08 µM in HepG2 cells by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The three components were confirmed to be, at least partial, hepatotoxic components.

Comparison of the Qualitative Chemical Composition of Extracts from Ageratina havanensis Collected in Two Different Phenological Stages by FIA-ESI-IT-MS" and UPLC/ESI-MS": Antiviral Activity.

The flowers and leaves of Ageratina havanensis (Kunth) R. M. King & H. Robinson are traditionally used as a tea to cure several diseases. The production of active secondary metabolites can be affected by several environmental factors such as climate, altitude, rainfall, phenological stage and other conditions that may influence the growth of plants. In this sense, the development of a methodology to compare the chemical composition of plant -extracts is needed. The qualitative chemical composition of the ethyl acetate extracts of flowers and leaves, collected in both reproductive and non-reproductive season, was determined by.flow injection analysis-electrospray ionization-ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-ESI-IT-MS") and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray negative ionization mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-MS"). The qualitative chemical composition of the ethyl acetate extracts of flowers and leaves was very similar in all cases. Also the antiviral activity of flowers against human herpes simplex viruses type I and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) (Herpesviridae) was analyzed. Three glucoside flavonoids were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the leaves of A. havanensis collected in flowering season using chromatographic methods and their structures were elucidated by physical and spectroscopic data measurements, and by comparing the obtained data with previously published values. The compounds were identified as 3-Ο-ß-D-glucosyl-7-methoxyaromadendrin (5), 7-Ο-ß-D--glucosyl-4'- dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone (6) and 5-O-ß-D-glucosylsakuranetin (7); this is the first report of the isolation of these compounds in the Asteraceae family. Since the qualitative composition of the extracts of A. havanensis was similar in all cases, it can be expected that the ethyl acetate extract of the leaves collected in the non-reproductive season has anti-herpetic activity similar to that obtained in the reproductive season.

White snakeroot poisoning in goats: Variations in toxicity with different plant chemotypes.

Tremetone and possibly other benzofuran ketones are believed to be the toxic compounds in white snakeroot. However, disease has not been reproduced with purified toxins and the concentrations of the benzofuran ketones in white snakeroot populations that cause toxicosis have not been documented. The objectives of this study were to compare the toxicity of seven plant populations, better characterize the clinical and pathologic changes of poisoning, and correlate intoxication with benzofuran ketone content. Four of the seven white snakeroot collections were toxic at the dose and duration used in the study. Affected goats became exercise intolerant, had significant serum enzyme changes and histological lesions in the large appendicular muscles. The incidence and severity of poisoning was not correlated with total doses of tremetone or total benzofuran ketone concentrations suggesting they may not be closely involved in producing toxicity and the possible involvement of an unidentified toxin. The results also demonstrate that white snakeroot populations vary chemically and toxicologically.

Acute hypoglycemic effect and phytochemical composition of Ageratina petiolaris.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Type 2 diabetes is characterized by tissue resistance to the action of insulin combined with a relative deficiency in insulin secretion. In Mexico, medicinal plants have traditionally been used to control the disease; in this work, we investigate the hypoglycemic effect of Ageratina petiolaris, a plant used in Mexico for the treatment of diabetes. METHODS: The hypoglycemic effects of aqueous and methanolic extracts prepared from aerial parts of Ageratina petiolaris in streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA) induced diabetic rats were assessed. An oral administration of the water extract at doses of 40 and 160mg/kg and of the methanol extract at doses of 67 and 268mg/kg were evaluated. Furthermore, the water extract at 160mg/kg was evaluated under an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test. RESULTS: The tested extracts were able to reduce the increase in blood glucose level at three hours after administration. l-chiro-inositol and chlorogenic acid were isolated as important constituents of the plant, they were identified in both extracts along with other constituents. CONCLUSIONS: The results presented here demonstrate that the main components in the aqueous extract of Ageratina petiolaris are chlorogenic acid and l-chiro-inositol, the last one with significant hypoglycemic activity, these results support the traditional use of this plant for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Chemical composition of the essential oil from Ageratina jocotepecana and its repellent effect on drywood termite incisitermes marginipennis / Composición química del aceite esencial de Ageratina jocotepecana y su efecto repelente en termitas de madera seca incisitermes marginipennis

Essential oils obtained from new plant species with metabolomes unexplored or poorly known are a natural resource to find molecules with deterrent (irritant) effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and the termite repellent activity of the essential oils from Ageratina jocotepecana. The repellent effect was determined by the pine drywood termite Incisitermes marginipennis behavior of to sense the contact of the tunnel wall in the wooden colony in the presence of an irritant obstacle caused by essential oils. Gas chromatographic analysis of the essential oils from flower, leaf, and stem showed quantitative and qualitative differences in components. Twenty-eight volatile components were identified by their mass spectra (MS). beta-caryophyllene, carvacrol, spathulenol, and terpinen-4-ol were the four major components, of them in relation 0.1 M citronellol, the 0.1 M carvacrol was the best repellent of the termite. Essential oils from A. jocotepecana exhibited a termite repellent effect due to their major components. Additionally, more research about the termite repellent action of carvacrol is still needed.

Los aceites esenciales obtenidos de nuevas especies de plantas con metabolomas inexplorados o poco conocidos son un recurso natural para encontrar moléculas con efecto disuasivo (irritante). El propósito del estudio fue evaluar la composición química de los aceites esenciales de Ageratina jocotepecana y su actividad repelente de termitas. El efecto repelente fue determinado por el comportamiento de las termitas de la madera seca de pino Incisitermes marginipennis de sentir el contacto de la pared del túnel en la colonia de madera en la presencia de un obstáculo irritante causado por los aceites esenciales. El análisis de cromatografía de gases de los aceites esenciales de flores, hojas y tallo mostró diferencias cuantitativas y cualitativas en componentes. Veintiocho componentes volátiles fueron identificados por sus espectros de masas (MS). beta-cariofileno, carvacrol, spathulenol y terpinen-4-ol fueron los cuatro componentes mayoritarios, de ellos en relación con 0,1 M citronelol el control positivo, el carvacrol 0,1 M fue el mejor repelente de la termita. Además, más investigación sobre la acción repelente de termitas de carvacrol se necesita realizar.

Toxicity of Compounds Isolated from White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) to Adult and Larval Yellow Fever Mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti).

Botanicals have been the source for several classes of pesticides for mosquitoes. However, increasing resistance to these products and reduced numbers of choices necessitate the search for new active ingredients. Ageratina altissima (L.) King & H. Rob. or white snakeroot, is found throughout the eastern United States and contains known toxic compounds. We examine chromenes (benzopyrans) and benzofurans isolated fiom this plant for larvicidal and adulticidal activity against the dengue vector Aedes aegypti L. Initial activity identified several compounds that were effective against either larvae or adults. Interestingly, only two compounds were effective against both larva and adults. Dose curves were constructed from further testing of these active compounds to allow. comparative ranking of efficacy. We identified dehydrotremetone as the most effective larvicide (0.03 ± 0.001 ng/µL) and 6-acetyl-7-methoxy-2,2- dimethylchromene as the most effective adulticide (1.17 ± 0.31 µg/org) although other compounds were also active. This study provides additional useful data for evaluation of chromenes and benzofurans as possible mosquiticidal agents.