Evaluation of the safe use of the larvicidal fraction of Capparis cartilaginea Decne. against Aedes caspius (Pallas) (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae

Journal Article

2014

Larvicidal activity and cytotoxicity of fruit and leaf extracts of the Capparis cartilaginea were
evaluated. No previous studies have been reported on the larvicidal activities of crude and
column chromatographic fractions of fruit and leaf extracts of Capparis cartilaginea. In this
study, HPLC analysis of the alkaloidal active fraction F2 of methanolic fruit extract showed
the presence of a major peak. Crude aqueous fruit extract of C. cartilaginea was less toxic
against Aedes caspius (LC50 = 172.02) compared to its column chromatographic fraction F2
(LC50 = 29.17). Cytotoxicity studies on HepG2 and MCF7 at 24 h post-treatment recorded
survival rates ranging from 90 to 110 %, respectively. Light and fluorescent microscopy
revealed no effect on cell morphology at 100 μg/ml. The plasma membrane remained well
defined and the nuclei were normal and exhibited diffused staining of the chromatin. Most
active component(s) responsible for toxic activity against Aedes caspius was present in the
fraction F2 of C. cartilaginea, which showed larvicidal efficacy in a dose-dependent manner.
As a result, fraction F2 is a good candidate as an alternative natural larvicidal agent with no
hepatotoxicity and at a low cost. Further investigation is required to identify and characterize
active compounds.