Dietary effects of harmine, a β-carboline alkaloid, on development, energy reserves and α-amylase activity of Plodia interpunctella Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

The physiological and developmental effects of harmine, a β-carboline alkaloid, on the insect pest Plodia interpunctella have been analyzed. When added at the larval diet, harmine induced a strong reduction of larvae weight, cannibalism between larvae, in addition to significant mortality. On the other hand, it caused a remarkable development disruption, manifested by both delay and reduction of pupation and adult emergence. Using spectrophotometric assays, we have shown that harmine ingestion provoked a severe reduction in protein, glycogen and lipid contents. Beside, when larvae fed harmine, the activity of the digestive enzyme α-amylase was strongly reduced. In conclusion, our experiments clearly show the susceptibility of P. interpunctella to harmine ingestion revealing the potent bioinsecticidal effect of harmine.

Insecticidal effects of Moroccan plant extracts on development, energy reserves and enzymatic activities of Plodia interpunctella

“…A strong effect (adult emergence below 2%) was also obtained with A. iva, C. erythreae and R. officinalis. Similar disturbances on P. interpunctella larvae have been reported after ingestion of 20-hydroxyecdysone (Rharrabe et al, 2009), azadirachtin , harmaline (Rharrabe et al, 2007) and harmine (Bouayad et al, 2012). Interestingly, cannibalistic behaviour was observed in starved larvae and in larvae exposed to plant extracts, especially C. erythreae and R. officinalis.…”

“…A depression of energy reserves has also been reported after ingestion of Jatropherol-I by B. mori (Jing et al, 2005), neem oil by Choristoneura rosaceana (Smirle et al, 1996), P. harmala leaves by T. castaneum , and azadirachtin by some insects such as S. litura (Huang et al, 2004). Moreover, reductions in energy reserves were reported in P. interpunctella after ingestion of harmine (Bouayad et al, 2012), harmaline (Rharrabe et al, 2007), azadirachtin and 20-hydroxyecdysone (Rharrabe et al, 2009). Remarkably, we have found that lipid reserves were not affected by ingestion of diets treated with plant extracts, whereas a reduction was observed in starved larvae.…”

“…However, our results suggest that protein and carbohydrates provided primary sources for energy in P. interpunctella larvae under extreme nutritive stress conditions, whereas lipid metabolism was not mobilized. Previous studies showed a reduction of lipid reserves in P. interpunctella after ingestion of azadirachtin and 20-hydroxyecdysone (Rharrabe et al, , 2009), but not after ingestion of harmine (Bouayad et al, 2012). Nevertheless, we cannot discard effects on specific classes of lipids (as triacylglycerols, diacylglycerols and phospholipids), since we have only analyzed total lipid content.…”

“…None of these plant extracts have been tested against P. interpunctella. However, previous studies have shown that this species is susceptible to different allelochemicals, such as 20-hydroxyecdysone (Rharrabe et al, 2009), azadirachtin , harmaline (Rharrabe et al, 2007) and harmine (Bouayad et al, 2012).…”

Quantitative Analysis of Secondary Metabolites in Aqueous Extract of Clerodendrum Serratum

“…Alkaloids are having wide range of physiological effects and pharmacological effects, including antibiotic, 11 antifungal, anti bacterial, anticancer, [12][13][14] narcotics, poisons, stimulants, 15 antimicrobial, anti-HIV and antiparasitic activities etc. 16 The other important metabolites present in plants are terpenoids, glycosides, lignin, coumarins, anthraquinones which also shows versatile therapeutic activity.…”