Friedericia Chica, a Medicinal Plant from the Amazon Region, is Repellent Against Aedes Aegypti: In Vivo and Molecular Docking Evidence

Abstract

Fridericia chica is widely distributed in Brazil, where it is commonly known as crajiru or pariri in several regions. Despite its popular use for treating inflammations and as an insect repellent, there has been limited assessment of its chemical and biological properties, including its bioinsecticide activities. In this study, we conducted phytochemical analyses and investigated the larvicidal and repellent effects of F. chica against the mosquito Aedes aegypti. The F. chica (HEFc) hydroalcoholic extract was partitioned using column chromatography, and subfractions were analyzed using chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses (ESI‐IT‐MSn and NMR). In addition, HEFc was evaluated for its larvicidal and repellent activities. Phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of 17 constituents, including 2,4‐dihydroxybenzoic and p‐coumaric acids, along with umbelliferone, acetovanilone, myricetin‐3‐O‐glucuronide, and cis‐isorhapontigenin, which are reported for the first time in this species. Although no larvicidal effect was observed at the doses tested, the HEFc exhibited promising repellent effects against A. aegypti, which aligns with its ethnopharmacological potential. In addition, molecular docking studies demonstrated that the compounds of HEFc interacted efficiently with insect odorant binding proteins (OBPs), providing repellent effects. Consistent with the chemical profile and in silico studies, preparations of F. chica have considerable repellent potential.