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Cardol-Derived Organophosphorothioates as Inhibitors of Acetylcholinesterase for Dengue Vector Control

Abstract

Aedes aegypti is the main vector of three neglected tropical diseases: dengue, zika and chikungunya. Dengue is under surveillance by health organizations worldwide due to the risk of epidemics. Since there is no specific treatment for dengue, most studies have focused on preventing the reproduction and/or development of the mosquitoes. We studied the larvicidal activity of five phosphates and phosphorothioates derived from cardol, one of the four main components of cashew nut shell liquid (Anacardium occidentale L.), at different concentrations. The organophosphorothioate derivatives were tested for their in vitro inhibitory potential against acetylcholinesterase (AChE). One compound, Cdl.i-dPS (median lethal concentration (LC50) = 0.8 ppm), was four times more efficient compared to an important commercial larvicide, Temephos (LC50 = 3.2 ppm), and showed greater AChE inhibition than its monosubstituted analogue and Temephos.

Keywords:
cardol; AChE inhibition; Aedes aegypti


Introduction

The female Aedes aegypti mosquito is the main arbovirus vector responsible for three neglected tropical diseases (NTDs): dengue, chikungunya and zika. These diseases pose a serious public health problem that endangers billions of people, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. Globally, the number of dengue cases has increased drastically in the last decades, causing alarm about the risk of infection.11 Hu, W.; Tu, Z. J.; Parasites Vectors 2018, 11, 655.,22 Kannathasan, K.; Senthilkumar, A.; Venkatesalu, V.; Acta Trop. 2011, 120, 115. Climate change and resistance to synthetic pesticides are indicated as the main causes of the high dengue burden in developed and third world countries. There are currently no efficient antiviral drugs or vaccines to combat these diseases, so the main strategy for control focuses on preventing the vector proliferation.33 Daniel, J. F. S.; Silva, A. A.; Nakagawa, D. H.; de Medeiros, L. S.; Carvalho, M. G.; Tavares, L. J.; Abreu, L. M.; Rodrigues-Filho, E.; J. Braz. Chem. Soc. 2017, 28, 1003.

4 Moreira, A. S. N.; Fernandes, R. O. S.; Lemos, F. J. A.; Braz-Filho, R.; Vieira, I. J. C.; Rev. Bras. Farmacogn. 2016, 26, 530.
-55 Rocha, D. K.; Matos, O.; Novo, M. T.; Figueiredo, A. C.; Delgado, M.; Moiteiro, C.; Nat. Prod. Commun. 2015, 10, 677. This situation has attracted intense investigations of the development of natural pesticides with higher efficiency and lower toxicity.33 Daniel, J. F. S.; Silva, A. A.; Nakagawa, D. H.; de Medeiros, L. S.; Carvalho, M. G.; Tavares, L. J.; Abreu, L. M.; Rodrigues-Filho, E.; J. Braz. Chem. Soc. 2017, 28, 1003.,66 Kanis, L. B.; Rabelo, B. D.; Moterle, D.; Custódio, K. M.; Oliveira, J. G.; de Lemos, A. B.; Silva, O. S.; Zepon, K. M.; Magnago, R. F.; Prophiro, J. S.; Ind. Crops Prod. 2018, 122, 148.

Among the strategies adopted, most chemical insecticides attack adult mosquitoes or their larval stages.55 Rocha, D. K.; Matos, O.; Novo, M. T.; Figueiredo, A. C.; Delgado, M.; Moiteiro, C.; Nat. Prod. Commun. 2015, 10, 677.,77 Chansang, A.; Champakaew, D.; Junkum, A.; Jitpakdi, A.; Amornlerdpison, D.; Aldred, A. K.; Riyong, D.; Wannasan, A.; Intirach, J.; Muangmoon, R.; Pitasawat, B.; Parasites Vectors 2018, 11, 417. The reduction of the mosquito population is easier in immature stages (larva or pupa).88 Feitosa, E. M. A.; Arriaga, A. M. C.; Santiago, G. M. P.; Lemos, T. L. G.; Oliveira, M. C. F.; Vasconcelos, J. N.; Lima, J. Q.; Malcher, G. T.; Nascimento, R. F.; Braz-Filho, R.; J. Braz. Chem. Soc. 2009, 20, 375. Most soluble pesticides are organophosphates that inhibit the enzyme, causing paralysis and then death of larvae.99 Lopez, O.; Fernandez-Bolanos, J. G.; Green Trends in Insect Control; Lopez, O.; Fernandez-Bolanos, J. G., eds.; RSC: Cambridge, 2011. But, because of the toxic potential of these synthetic insecticides on humans and the environment, bioinsecticides with specific action on larvae have been proposed as viable alternatives to control arbovirus vectors.55 Rocha, D. K.; Matos, O.; Novo, M. T.; Figueiredo, A. C.; Delgado, M.; Moiteiro, C.; Nat. Prod. Commun. 2015, 10, 677.,88 Feitosa, E. M. A.; Arriaga, A. M. C.; Santiago, G. M. P.; Lemos, T. L. G.; Oliveira, M. C. F.; Vasconcelos, J. N.; Lima, J. Q.; Malcher, G. T.; Nascimento, R. F.; Braz-Filho, R.; J. Braz. Chem. Soc. 2009, 20, 375.,1010 Krzyzaniak, L. M.; Antonelli-Ushirobira, T. M.; Panizzon, G.; Sereia, A. L.; Souza, J. R. P.; Zequi, J. A. C.; Novello, C. R.; Lopes, G. C.; Medeiros, D. C.; Silva, D. B.; Leite-Mello, E. V. S.; Mello, J. C. P.; J. Evidence-Based Complementary Altern. Med. 2017, ID 9602368. Among natural bioactive compounds, some essential oils are potential larvicides against Aedes aegypti.88 Feitosa, E. M. A.; Arriaga, A. M. C.; Santiago, G. M. P.; Lemos, T. L. G.; Oliveira, M. C. F.; Vasconcelos, J. N.; Lima, J. Q.; Malcher, G. T.; Nascimento, R. F.; Braz-Filho, R.; J. Braz. Chem. Soc. 2009, 20, 375.,1010 Krzyzaniak, L. M.; Antonelli-Ushirobira, T. M.; Panizzon, G.; Sereia, A. L.; Souza, J. R. P.; Zequi, J. A. C.; Novello, C. R.; Lopes, G. C.; Medeiros, D. C.; Silva, D. B.; Leite-Mello, E. V. S.; Mello, J. C. P.; J. Evidence-Based Complementary Altern. Med. 2017, ID 9602368.,1111 Santos, S. R. L.; Melo, M. A.; Cardoso, A. V.; Santos, R. L. C.; Sousa, D. P.; Cavalcanti, S. C. H.; Chemosphere 2011, 84, 150. Tropical plants are a source of bioactive organic compounds with larvicidal properties. Some studies1212 Laurens, A.; Fourneau, C.; Hocquemiller, R.; Cavé, A.; Bories, C.; Loiseau, P. M.; Phytother. Res. 1997, 11, 145.

13 Lomonaco, D.; Santiago, G. M. P.; Ferreira, Y. S.; Arriaga, A. M. C.; Mazzetto, S. E.; Mele, G.; Vasapollo, G.; Green Chem. 2009, 11, 31.
-1414 Paiva, D. R.; de Lima, D. P.; Avvari, N. P.; Arruda, E. J.; Cabrini, I.; Marques, M. R.; Santos, E. A.; Biaggio, F. C.; Sangi, D. P.; Beatriz, A.; An. Acad. Bras. Cienc. 2017, 89, 373. have mentioned cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), a dark viscous oil rich in phenolic compounds, as a cheap and efficient larvicide.

CNSL (Figure 1) is a natural source of phenolic lipids that contain an alkyl side chain of fifteen carbons (C15), that can be saturated or present mono, di, and tri unsaturation without conjugation and cis stereochemistry. Each component of CNSL is obtained as a mixture of all homologues and the chemical composition depends on the extraction method. Natural CNSL is mainly composed of anacardic acid (65%), along with cardol, cardanol, and 2-methylcardol, which are extracted by solvent or cold pressing. CNSL is also obtained in high quantities as a byproduct of cashew nut industrial processing.1313 Lomonaco, D.; Santiago, G. M. P.; Ferreira, Y. S.; Arriaga, A. M. C.; Mazzetto, S. E.; Mele, G.; Vasapollo, G.; Green Chem. 2009, 11, 31. The elevated temperatures employed (>180 ºC) lead to the decarboxylation of anacardic acid, resulting in technical CNSL, mainly composed of cardanol (65%) and cardol (20%).1515 Mota, J. P. F.; Ribeiro, V. G. P.; da Silva, F. L. F.; Costa Jr., A. E.; Oliveira, D. R.; Kotzebue, L. R. V.; Mele, G.; Lomonaco, D.; Mazzetto, S. E.; Sep. Sci. Technol. 2016, 51, 2473.,1616 Mazzetto, S. E.; Lomonaco, D.; Mele, G.; Quim. Nova 2009, 32, 732.

Figure 1
Cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) and its main constituents.

Previously, we published a study1313 Lomonaco, D.; Santiago, G. M. P.; Ferreira, Y. S.; Arriaga, A. M. C.; Mazzetto, S. E.; Mele, G.; Vasapollo, G.; Green Chem. 2009, 11, 31. on CNSL constituents larvicidal activity, and cardol exhibited the best results. Aiming to improve this activity and inspired by the structure of commercial organophosphorus larvicides, in this work we synthesized phosphate and phosphorothioate derivatives of cardol and evaluated their efficiency and mode of action as larvicides and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors of Aedes aegypti, for vector control in still water.

Experimental

Technical CNSL was supplied by Amêndoas do Brasil (Fortaleza, Brazil). Reagents and solvents were supplied by Sigma-Aldrich (Campo Grande, Brazil) and Vetec Química (Campo Grande, Brazil). Cardol and thiophosphorylated compound were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) on a Hewlet-Packard Model 5971 using a (5%-phenyl)-methylpolysiloxane DB-5 capillary column (30 m × 0.25 mm) with film thickness 0.1 mm; carrier gas helium, flow rate 1 mL min-1 with split mode. The injector temperature and detector temperature were 250 and 200 ºC, respectively. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were recorded on a Bruker Avance DRX-500 (300 MHz for 1H and 121 MHz for 31P NMR) using CDCl3 as solvent for phosphorylated cardol derivatives and acetone-d6 for cardol. Column chromatography was run using silica gel 60 (70-230 mesh, Vetec), while thin layer chromatography (TLC) was conducted on precoated silica gel polyester sheets (Kieselgel 60 F254, 0.20 mm, Merck). Compounds were detected by spraying with vanillin-perchloric acid-EtOH solution, followed by heating at 120 ºC. Aedes aegypti larvae (Rockefeller strain) were provided by NUVET (Núcleo de Controle de Vetores e Endemias).

Isolation and purification of cardol from CNSL

Cardol (6 g), a viscous dark-brownish oil, was isolated from technical CNSL (45 g), by a methodology previously published1313 Lomonaco, D.; Santiago, G. M. P.; Ferreira, Y. S.; Arriaga, A. M. C.; Mazzetto, S. E.; Mele, G.; Vasapollo, G.; Green Chem. 2009, 11, 31. with few modifications-through silica gel column chromatography eluted with a stepwise gradient of n-hexane/ethyl acetate (from 9:1 to 7:3 v/v). The fractions were analyzed through thin layer chromatography (TLC) and the plates were revealed in vanillin solution. The material was rotoeveporated under low pressure to remove the solvents and the viscous oil obtained was characterized by GC-MS and 1H NMR. The GC-MS analysis ( Figure S1 , Supplementary Information (SI) section) showed a main peak in 37.402 min corresponding to cardol. The retention time at 37.402 and 37.534 min were attributed to triene (66.6%) and diene cardol (33.3%), respectively. Monoene and saturated cardol could not be seen in the analysis due to its low amount in the sample (< 0.1%). Figures S2 and S3 (SI section) exhibit triene and diene cardol mass spectra, respectively.

Cardol

1H NMR (300 MHz, acetone-d6) δ 0.84 (t, 3H, J 7.2 Hz, CH3), 1.25 (m, 18H, CH2), 1.49 (m, 2H, CH2), 1.99 (m, 2H, CH2), 2.36 (t, 2H, J 7.5 Hz, CH2), 2.72 (m, 4H, CH2), 4.5-5.9 (m, 6H, CH), 6.01 (s, 1H, CH), 6.05 (s, 2H, CH); m/z 314 [M+] and m/z 316 [M+].

Synthesis of cardol di phosphates and phosphorothioates

The monosubstituted and disubstituted organophosphate larvicides were prepared according to the procedure previously described by our group.1717 Lomonaco, D.; Cangane, F. Y.; Mazzetto, S. E.; J. Therm. Anal. Calorim. 2011, 104, 1177.

18 Lomonaco, D.; Maia, F. J. N.; Mazzetto, S. E.; J. Therm. Anal. Calorim. 2013, 111, 619.
-1919 Lomonaco, D.; Maia, F. J. N.; Clemente, C. S.; Mota, J. P. F.; Costa Jr., A. E.; Mazzetto, S. E.; Fuel 2012, 97, 552. The synthesis of organophosphate/phosphorothioate larvicides is shown in Scheme 1.

Scheme 1
Diagram of the synthesis of the organophosphate larvicides from cardol.

Synthesis of cardol mono phosphates and phosphorothioates

One mmol of diethyl chlorophosphate or diethyl chlorothiophosphate was added, at room temperature, to a solution of cardol (314 mg; 1 mmol) and potassium carbonate (138 mg; 1 mmol) in acetone (15 mL). The mixture was magnetically stirred under reflux temperature for 4 h. After this period, brine (40 mL) was added and the resultant solution was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 40 mL). The removal of the solvent left an oily residue, which was then purified by column chromatography on silica gel (hexane/ethyl acetate 5:5) to obtain the desired products 1 or 2, both yellowish oils. The products were characterized by NMR (1H and 31P) and GC-MS showed the triene homologue as the molecular-ion peak for both compounds, however, there is still the presence of the other homologues.

Compound 1

160.14 mg, 51%; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ 0.92 (t, 3H, J 7.5 Hz, CH3), 1.32 (m, 21H, CH2, -P-O-CH2-CH3), 1.56 (m, 2H, CH2), 2.06 (m, 2H, CH2), 2.50 (t, 2H, J 7.5 Hz, CH2), 2.82 (m, 4H, CH2), 4.21 (m, 4H, P-O-CH2-CH3), 5.38 (m, 6H, CH), 6.46 (s, 1H, CH), 6.51 (s, 1H, CH), 6.79 (s, 1H, CH); 31P NMR (121 MHz, CDCl3) -6.2 ppm; GC-MS m/z [M+]: 450.

Compound 2

194.68 mg, 62%; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ 0.92 (t, 3H, J 7.5 Hz, CH3), 1.37 (m, 20H, CH2, -P-O-CH2-CH3), 1.58 (m, 2H, CH2), 2.05 (m, 2H, CH2), 2.53 (t, 2H, J 7.5 Hz, CH2), 2.82 (m, 4H, CH2), 4.24 (m, 4H, P-O-CH2-CH3), 5.02-5.84 (m, 6H, CH), 6.51 (s, 1H, CH), 6.55 (s, 1H, CH); 6.59 (s, 1H, CH); 31P NMR (121 MHz, CDCl3) 64.6 ppm; GC-MS m/z [M+]: 466.

Synthesis of cardol di phosphates and phosphorothioates

The procedure for diphosphorylation of cardol was the same as mentioned above; the only modifications were the stoichiometric ratio and reaction time. Two mmol of diethyl chlorophosphate or diethyl chlorothiophosphate were added, at room temperature, to a solution of cardol (314 mg; 1 mmol) and potassium carbonate (276 mg; 1 mmol) in acetone (15 mL). The mixture was magnetically stirred under reflux temperature for 6 h. After this period, brine (40 mL) was added and the resultant solution was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 40 mL). The removal of the solvent left an oily residue, which was then purified by column chromatography on silica gel (methanol/ethyl acetate 2:8) to afford the desired products 3 or 4, both yellowish oils. The products were characterized by NMR (1H and 31P) and GC-MS. Due to higher polarity of 4, the triene and diene homologues are retained in the column and the monoene appears as the molecular-ion peak (m/z 622 M+).

Compound 3

263.76 mg, 84%; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ 0.88 (t, 3H, J 7.2 Hz, CH3), 1.31 (m, 26H, CH2, -P-O-CH2-CH3), 1.57 (m, 2H, CH2), 2.03 (m, 2H, CH2), 2.55 (t, 2H, J 7.5 Hz, CH2), 2.78 (m, 4H, CH2), 4.19 (m, 8H, P-O-CH2-CH3), 4.94-5.41 (m, 6H, CH), 6.87 (s, 2H, CH), 6.90 (s, 1H, CH); 31P NMR (121 MHz, CDCl3) -7.44 ppm; GC-MS m/z [M+]: 586.

Compound 4

282.60 mg, 90%; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ 0.90 (t, 3H, J 6.0 Hz, CH3), 1.36 (m, 34H, -P-O-CH2-CH3), 1.56 (m, 2H, CH2), 2.04 (m, 2H, CH2), 2.80 (m, 4H, CH2), 4.22 (m, 8H, P-O-CH2-CH3), 4.95-5.43 (m, 6H, CH), 6.84 (s, 2H, CH), 6.91 (s, 1H, CH); 31P NMR (121 MHz, CDCl3) 62.1 ppm; GC-MS m/z [M+]: 622.

Test of larvicidal activity on Aedes aegypti larvae

The larvicidal activity of monosubstituted (1 and 2) and disubstituted (3 and 4) organophosphates/phosphorothioates from cardol was tested on Aedes aegypti. Fifty 3rd-instar larvae were transferred to a 50-mL beaker containing 19.7 mL of water. Before inserting the larvicides in the water, they were diluted in 0.3 mL of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), resulting in concentrations of 4, 10, 20, 40, and 100 ppm. A control using 1.5% DMSO/H2O was tested in parallel. Mortality was recorded after 24 h, and the number of dead larvae was used to calculate the median lethal concentration (LC50). Both organothiophosphate compounds exhibited promising larvicidal activity (Figure 2). Triplicates were performed for compounds with larvicidal effect. The value of LC50 was determined using the statistical analysis software BioStat 2009.2020 BioStat, full version; AnalystSoft Inc., USA, 2009.

Figure 2
Morphology of Aedes aegypti larvae (a) control; (b) technical CNSL; (c) cardol and (d) 4.

Anticholinesterase activity assay

This assay was performed according to the method described by Elmann, with adaptations.2121 Ellman, G. L.; Courtney, K. D.; Andres Jr., V.; Featherstone, R. M.; Biochem. Pharmacol. 1961, 7, 88.,2222 Rhee, I. K.; van der Meent, M.; Ingkaninan, K.; Verpoorte, R.; J. Chromatogr. 2001, 915, 217. Aliquots of 15 µL of solutions of 2, 4 and commercial larvicide (Temephos), with concentration of 0.45 mg mL-1, were spotted on a TLC plate (DC-Alufolien, Silicagel 60 F254, 0.2 mm Merck). After complete evaporation of the solvent, a mixture (1:1) of acetylcholine iodide (ATCl) 1 mmol L-1 was sprayed with the Ellman reagent (5,5’-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid, DTNB, 1 mmol L-1) and left standing for 3 min for drying. The enzyme acetylcholinesterase (10 U mL-1) was then sprayed. After 10 min, a yellow color appeared as a result of the thio anion formation from the reaction of the enzymatic hydrolysis of the substrate with DTNB. The inhibition of the enzyme leads to the formation of a white halo around the spots where the larvicides were applied. As positive control, an anticholinesterase compound called Eserin was used at 30 mg mL-1.

Results and Discussion

Synthesis of cardol-derived phosphates and phosphorothioates

Organophosphates are well known for inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE), a crucial enzyme for all living beings, responsible for the passage of impulses between neurons. Neurotoxic compounds like organophosphates hydrolyze acetylcholine, foreclosing the neural excitement, leading to paralysis and then death of the larvae. Temephos, a commercial organophosphorus larvicide, was used as AChE inhibitor. However, the emergence of resistant strains has led to a search for new biopesticides.2323 World Health Organization (WHO); https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/temephos.pdf accessed on January 23, 2019.
https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_hea...
,2424 Čolović, M. B.; Krstić, D. Z.; Lazarević-Pašti, T. D.; Bondžić, A. M.; Vasić, V. M.; Curr. Neuropharmacol. 2013, 11, 315.

Previous works1313 Lomonaco, D.; Santiago, G. M. P.; Ferreira, Y. S.; Arriaga, A. M. C.; Mazzetto, S. E.; Mele, G.; Vasapollo, G.; Green Chem. 2009, 11, 31. have used cardol, a natural phenol obtained from CNSL, which presented good larvicidal activity. In order to improve this activity, we inserted phosphate and phosphorothioate groups to cardol’s structure, resulting in four compounds, exhibited in Table 1.

Table 1
Structure, IUPAC name, and abbreviation of cardol-derived organophosphates and organophosphorothioates

Larvicidal bioassay

Aedes aegypti is a mosquito that breeds in still water, depositing its eggs to hatch, restarting the cycle. The larval stage is an attractive target due to the easy absorption of compounds dissolved in water.2525 Guzman, M. G.; Gubler, D. J.; Izquierdo, A.; Martinez, E.; Halstead, S. B.; Nat. Rev. 2016, 2, 16055; Kanyaboon, P.; Saelee, T.; Suroengrit, A.; Hengphasatporn, K.; Rungrotmongkol, T.; Chavasiri Boonyasuppayakorn, S.; Sci. Rep. 2018, 8, 16643.

Many commercial pesticides are applied in water bodies, but they can endanger human and animal health. Pesticides derived from natural sources are attractive due to low cytotoxicity.2323 World Health Organization (WHO); https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/temephos.pdf accessed on January 23, 2019.
https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_hea...

Phenolic compounds present a wide range of biological properties, including larvicidal activity.2626 Devi, U.; Bora, D.; Asian Pac. J. Trop. Med. 2017, 10, 787. Lomonaco et al.1313 Lomonaco, D.; Santiago, G. M. P.; Ferreira, Y. S.; Arriaga, A. M. C.; Mazzetto, S. E.; Mele, G.; Vasapollo, G.; Green Chem. 2009, 11, 31. evaluated the effect of industrial CNSL and its main components (cardanol and cardol) as larvicidal agents against Aedes aegypti. Cardol presented the lowest LC50 values.

Four compounds were synthesized from cardol, two mono and di phosphorylates and two mono and diphosphorothioates. Table 2 shows that the phosphorylation of cardol increases the LC50 to over 100 ppm, so it is unsuitable for insecticidal applications. On the other hand, among the organophosphorothioate compounds, we highlight 4 (LC50 = 0.8 ± 0.3 ppm), which is four times more efficient than the commercial larvicide, Temephos (LC50 = 3.2 ppm).

Table 2
LC50 of industrial CNSL, cardanol, cardol and cardol-derived phosphates and phosphorothioates

Phosphate-derivative larvicides exhibit better acetylcholinesterase inhibition, nonetheless, the higher lipophilicity of the parathion (-P=S, logPo/w = 3.0), in relation to the paraoxon (-P=O, logPo/w = 1.6), facilitate the penetration of phosphorothioates into the cell compared to phosphates.2727 Bharate, S. B.; Prins, J. M.; George, K. M.; Thompson, C. M.; J. Agric. Food Chem. 2010, 58, 8460. Once inside the cell, the phosphorothioates are readily oxidized to phosphates by the cytochrome P450 (CYP), responsible for the activation or deactivation of many therapeutic compounds and toxins2727 Bharate, S. B.; Prins, J. M.; George, K. M.; Thompson, C. M.; J. Agric. Food Chem. 2010, 58, 8460.,2828 Verheyen, J.; Stoks, R.; Environ. Pollut. 2019, 248. (Scheme 2). This explain the excellent larvicidal activity of compound 4.

Scheme 2
Enzymatic oxidation mechanism of parathion to paraoxon by cytochrome P450 (CYP).

The unsaturation of the side chain of cardol also plays an important role in its larvicidal activity. We synthesized the saturated cardol diphosphorothioates (5), which presented LC50 = 11.7 ppm. This value is 14 times higher than that of 4. Kanyaboon et al.2525 Guzman, M. G.; Gubler, D. J.; Izquierdo, A.; Martinez, E.; Halstead, S. B.; Nat. Rev. 2016, 2, 16055; Kanyaboon, P.; Saelee, T.; Suroengrit, A.; Hengphasatporn, K.; Rungrotmongkol, T.; Chavasiri Boonyasuppayakorn, S.; Sci. Rep. 2018, 8, 16643. studied the effect of CNSL-derived phenolic compounds on dengue virus inhibition. They reported that triene compounds had the best results, followed by dienes, monoenes, and saturated ones. The high degree of unsaturation increases the interaction with transmembrane proteins of the cell membrane, thus, leading to high quantities of larvicide inside the cell.

Morphological alterations

Figure 2 depicts the morphological alterations observed after larval exposure to technical CNSL, cardol, and 4. After 24 h of exposure to the biolarvicides, all larvae presented changes in their external structures. Compared to the control group (Figure 2a), technical CNSL (Figure 2b) caused total destruction of larvae’s internal structure. Cardol (Figure 2c) exposure caused loss of bristles and shrinking of the exoskeleton. The cardol-derived 4 (Figure 2d) paralyzed the larvae after 1 h of contact, leading to hardening and contraction of the exoskeleton in 24 h.

The development of new biolarvicides focuses on higher efficiency and less toxicity, thus reducing the dependence on expensive and toxic pesticides. Figure 3 shows the larval mortality due to contact with cardol-derived organophosphorothioates. A large increase of larval mortality could be observed, even at low concentrations for all organothiophosphorylated compounds, especially 4, which killed more than 85% of larvae at 4 ppm. The maximum efficiency was observed at 20 ppm for 4, followed by 5 at 40 ppm, and 2 and cardol at 100 ppm.

Figure 3
Larval mortality from different concentrations of organophosphorothioates.

Mode of action

Organophosphorus larvicides inhibit the action of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme located primarily in the central nervous system of the entire animal kingdom, including insects, and widely distributed in excitable membranes of nerves and muscles. AChE works at the neural synapse, and once inhibited, it will no longer be able to hydrolyze the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) into acetate and choline, leading to a series of neurotoxic effects, collapse of the central nervous system and consequently death of the insect.2929 Yu, S. J.; The Toxycology and Biochemistry of Insecticides, 6th ed.; Taylor & Francis: Florida, 2008.

30 Oliveira, O. V.; Cuya, T.; Ferreira, E. C.; Gonçalves, A. S.; Chem. Phys. Lett. 2018, 706, 82.
-3131 Horn, G.; de Koning, M. C.; van Grol, M.; Thiermann, H.; Worek, F.; Toxicol. Lett. 2018, 299, 218.

According to Lopez and Fernandez-Bolanos99 Lopez, O.; Fernandez-Bolanos, J. G.; Green Trends in Insect Control; Lopez, O.; Fernandez-Bolanos, J. G., eds.; RSC: Cambridge, 2011. the reaction between ACh and AChE takes place in three stages, as shown in Scheme 3: (1) formation of the Michaelis complex between the substrate, acetylcholine and AChE; (2) acetylation of the enzyme and formation of choline; and (3) hydrolysis of the acetylated enzyme to yield free enzyme and acetic acid (Scheme 3).

Scheme 3
ACh hydrolysis of AChE.

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase occurs analogously through phosphorylation reaction. A covalent bond is formed between the hydroxyl group from the serine moiety of the enzyme’s active site and the organophosphates, resulting in an excess of ACh. The O-P bond formed is highly stable, precluding ACh from interacting with AChE (Scheme 4).2929 Yu, S. J.; The Toxycology and Biochemistry of Insecticides, 6th ed.; Taylor & Francis: Florida, 2008.

Scheme 4
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) phosphorylation process.

AChE inhibition test

The AChE inhibition test used Sclerin, a drug with anticholinesterase activity, as positive control. Inactivation of the enzyme, which may occur with organophosphates, such as Temephos, leads to the accumulation of acetylcholine, causing a series of neurological effects.3030 Oliveira, O. V.; Cuya, T.; Ferreira, E. C.; Gonçalves, A. S.; Chem. Phys. Lett. 2018, 706, 82.,3131 Horn, G.; de Koning, M. C.; van Grol, M.; Thiermann, H.; Worek, F.; Toxicol. Lett. 2018, 299, 218.

The formation of a white halo (Ellman method) around the spots in TLC plates is an indication of AChE inhibition. The diameter of the halos (cm) was compared with the positive pattern of Eserina. As shown in Table 3, 4 had the largest diameter (1.1 cm), followed by Temephos (1 cm) and 2 (0.9 cm). 4 was the closest to Eserin (1.5 cm), thus the most efficient. The anticholinesterase activity of technical CNLS derivatives, studied previously by Oliveira et al.3232 Oliveira, M. S. C.; Morais, S. M.; Magalhães, D. V.; Batista, W. P.; Vieira, I. G. P.; Craveiro, A. A.; Manezes, J. E. S. A.; Carvalho, A F. U.; Lima, G. P. G.; Acta Trop. 2011, 117, 165 showed that cardol and cardanol presented halo diameters of 1.2 and 0.8 cm, respectively.

Table 3
Halo diameter of the larvicides with AChE inhibition

Despite cardol’s highest AChE inhibition in vitro, 4 has better interaction with the cell membrane, thus acting faster and more efficiently in vivo. This action is seen in the larvicidal test, where the cardol LC50 (14.2 ppm) is almost 18 times higher than that of 4 (0.8 ppm).

Conclusions

The larvicidal activity of organophosphorothioates against Aedes aegypti can be attributed to inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Two of the cardol-derivatives presented excellent activities, 2 and 4. We did not test the phosphate derivatives due to high LC50 values, once the presence of the sulfur atom is fundamental for cell membrane permeation and improved larvicidal activity, as demonstrated in Scheme 2. The presence of unsaturations in cardol’s side chain increases the efficiency against Aedes aegypti larvae, since the saturated derivative (5) presented a LC50 value 14 times higher than the unsaturated analogue 4 (LC50 = 0.8 ppm). Alterations in larvae’s external structure were observed after 24 h of exposure to the biolarvicides. 4 killed more than 85% of larvae at 4 ppm, the lowest concentration tested, and had the highest inhibition of AChE, compared to 2 and the commercial larvicide Temephos, in the Ellman test. Therefore, 4 could be considered a promising acetylcholinesterase inhibitor larvicide for dengue vector control.

Supplementary Information

Supplementary information (mass spectra GC-MS and 1H NMR for cardol, Cdl.i-mP (1), Cdl.i-dP (3), Cdl.i-mPS (2) and Cdl.i-dPS(4)) is available free of charge at http://jbcs.sbq.org.br as PDF file.

Acknowledgments

We thank the support from CAPES, CNPq (Brazilian agencies) and FUNCAP (State agency) for the financial support; Amêndoas do Brasil, for providing CNSL; CENAUREMN (Centro Nordestino de Aplicação e Uso da RMN, Fortaleza-CE) for the NMR analyses and; NUVET (Núcleo de Controle de Vetores e Endemias).

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    24 Oct 2019
  • Date of issue
    Dec 2019

History

  • Received
    6 Feb 2019
  • Accepted
    6 Aug 2019
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