Abstract

Introduction: Development of new and improved mosquito control methods, that are economically sustainable and effective, is a critical requirement in the management of vector-borne epidemic diseases. Aedes albopictus is one of the main vectors of various important pathogens in the tropics, which now have the potential to also spread in temperate regions, owing to the environmental and climate changes in act.

Materials and Methods: We report about the isolation of steroidal saponins from Dracaena arborea by fractionation followed by column separation. The obtained fractions and/or pure compounds were tested by biological essays for their insecticidal activity against A. albopictus larvae.

Results: Various compounds were found to exert larvicidal effects. In specific, spiroconazole A demonstrated the best insecticidal activity, showing LT50 value of 57.23 hours at 25 ppm.

Discussion: We finally discuss about the value of this finding in the context of the present strategies of Integrated Mosquito Management.

Keywords: Steroidal saponins, Dracaena arborea, Aedes albopictus, larvicidal activity, spiroconazole A, NMR, MS, Column chromatography.