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Oxidative stress induction by crude extract of Xylaria sp. triggers lethality in the larvae of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

ABSTRACT

Background:

Aedes aegypti is currently controlled with synthetic larvicides; however, mosquitoes have become highly resistant to these larvicides and difficult to eradicate. Studies have shown that insecticides derived from fungal extracts have various mechanisms of action that reduce the risk of resistance in these mosquitoes. One possible mechanism is uncontrolled production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the larvae, which can cause changes at the cellular level. Thus, the crude extract of Xylaria sp. was evaluated to investigate the oxidative effect of this extract in A. aegypti larvae by quantifying the oxidative damage to proteins and lipids.

Methods:

The larvicidal potential of the crude extract of Xylaria sp. Was evaluated, and the extract was subsequently tested in human lung fibroblasts for cytotoxicity and ROS production. ROS level was quantified in the larvae that were killed following exposure to the extract in the larvicide test.

Results:

The crude extract of Xylaria sp. Caused cytotoxicity and induced ROS production in human lung fibroblasts and A. aegypti larvae, respectively. In the larvicide trial, the extract showed an LC50 of 264.456 ppm and an LC90 of 364.307 ppm, and was thus considered active. The extract showed greater oxidative damage to lipids and proteins, with LC90 values of 24.7 µmol MDA/L and 14.6278 ×10-3 nmol carbonyl/ mg protein, respectively.

Conclusions:

Crude extracts of Xylaria sp. induced oxidative stress that may have caused the mortality of A. aegypti larvae.

Keywords:
Cytotoxicity; Carbonyl; Dengue; TBARS; Endophytic fungus

INTRODUCTION

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is the main vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus11. Brasil M da S. Boletim Epidemiológico Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde − Ministério da Saúde. 2017;48(29).,22. Costa IMP, Calado DC. Incidência dos casos de dengue (2007-2013) e distribuição sazonal de culicídeos (2012-2013) em Barreiras, Bahia. Epidemiol e Serv Saude. 2016;25(4):735-44., which are considered serious public health problems in Brazil and worldwide. The tropical regions of Brazil has the highest incidence of these diseases22. Costa IMP, Calado DC. Incidência dos casos de dengue (2007-2013) e distribuição sazonal de culicídeos (2012-2013) em Barreiras, Bahia. Epidemiol e Serv Saude. 2016;25(4):735-44.. The northern region had the highest number of probable cases of Zika (919 cases; 39.2%) of the total cases in Brazil33. BRASIL M da S. Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde do Ministério da Saúde Vigilância em Saúde no Brasil 2003|2019 Boletim Epidemiológico. 2019. Available from: http://portalarquivos2.saude.gov.br/
http://portalarquivos2.saude.gov.br/...
. As no vaccine against the aforementioned diseases is available, the most effective mechanism for prevention is to control the vectors (mosquitoes and larvae). Thus, the integrated vector control measure defined by the World Health Organization (WHO)44. Rose RI. Pesticides and public health: Integrated methods of mosquito management. Emerging Infectious Diseases. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2001;7(1):17-23. includes inspection, environmental management, biological control, chemical control using insecticides and repellents, traps, and insecticide resistance management. The biological control of mosquitoes involves the use of various predators, aquatic invertebrates, fungal and bacterial pathogens, nematode parasites, and fish that feed on larvae55. Para E, Braga IA, Valle D. Aedes Aegypti: Insecticides, Mechanisms of Action and Resistance Artigo de revisão Aedes aegypti: inseticidas, mecanismos de ação e resistência. Epidemiol Serv Saúde, Brasília. 2007;16(4).. Chemical control is currently carried out by synthetic larvicides derived from organophosphorus compounds, carbamates, and pyrethroids; however, they cause great environmental damage, are costly66. Zara ALS, Santos SM, Fernandes-Oliveira ES, Carvalho RG, Coelho GE. Estratégias de controle do Aedes aegypti: uma revisão. Epidemiol Serv Saúde. Ministério da Saúde do Brasil. 2016;25:391-404., and have been causing high resistance rates in A. Aegypti77. Cárdenas A, Orozco PJ, Rodríguez CE, Moneriz PC, Díaz CF, Mendez CDM. Aproximación al estudio del daño oxidativo causado por larvicidas naturales y temefos sobre proteomas de larvas del mosquito Aedes aegypti. Cienc y Salud Virtual. 2013;5(1):95..

Owing to the resistance of mosquitoes and the low effectiveness and high cost of programs to control the vectors of these diseases88. Tauil PL. Critical aspects of dengue control in Brazil. Cad Saúde Pública / Ministério da Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Esc Nac Saúde Pública. 2002;18(3):867-71.

9. Penna MLF. A challenge for the public health system in Brazil: dengue control. Cad Saúde Pública / Ministério da Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Esc Nac Saúde Pública. 2003;19(1):305-9.
-1010. Barreto ML, Teixeira MG. Dengue no Brasil: Situação epidemiológica e contribuições para uma agenda de pesquisa. Estud Avancados. 2008;22(64):53-72., new strategies are needed to combat vectors using mechanisms that are less polluting, less toxic, and pose less risk to human health1111. Pinheiro JB, Polonio JC, Orlandelli RC, Pamphile JA, Golias HC. Atividade larvicida de fungos endofíticos: uma revisão. Brazilian J Dev. 2020;6(6):35761-74.,1212. Costa MBS, de Oliveira CM. Endophytic Fungi In The Fight Against Neglected Tropical Diseases. Mini-Reviews Med Chem. 2020;20(16):1683-93.. Some studies involving natural bioactive products made from endophytic fungi have revealed promising alternatives1313. Ayumi TB, Gabriela BST, Daiane OM, Gustavo BL, Yasuo OJ, Rafaela SRMA. Larvicidal and ovocidal effects of Crotalaria pallida extracts on the vector Aedes aegypti. Brazilian J Dev . 2020;6(5).. Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that inhabit the internal parts of host plants in all or part of their life cycle and produce a vast amount of bioactive metabolites1414. Abutaha N, Mashaly AMA, Al-Mekhlafi FA, Farooq M, Al-shami M, Wadaan MA. Larvicidal activity of endophytic fungal extract of Cochliobolus spicifer (Pleosporales: Pleosporaceae) on Aedes caspius and Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae). Appl Entomol Zool. 2015;50(3):405-14.,1515. Tian J, Liu XC, Liu ZL, Lai D, Zhou L. Larvicidal spirobisnaphthalenes from the endophytic fungus Berkleasmium sp. against Aedes albopictus. Pest Manag Sci. 2016;72(5):961-5..

According to Aury77. Cárdenas A, Orozco PJ, Rodríguez CE, Moneriz PC, Díaz CF, Mendez CDM. Aproximación al estudio del daño oxidativo causado por larvicidas naturales y temefos sobre proteomas de larvas del mosquito Aedes aegypti. Cienc y Salud Virtual. 2013;5(1):95., larvicides and insecticides from endophytic fungal extracts are widely used today and have an advantage over synthetic compounds, given their various action mechanisms, which reduces the risk of resistance in mosquitoes1717. Ray S, Singh V, Singh S, Sarma BK, Singh HB. Biochemical and histochemical analyses revealing endophytic Alcaligenes faecalis mediated suppression of oxidative stress in Abelmoschus esculentus challenged with Sclerotium rolfsii. Plant Physiol Biochem. 2016;109:430-41.,1616. Marques AM, Kaplan MAC. Active metabolites of the genus Piper against Aedes aegypti: natural alternative sources for dengue vector control. Univ Sci. 2015;20(1):61-82.. According to the literature1717. Ray S, Singh V, Singh S, Sarma BK, Singh HB. Biochemical and histochemical analyses revealing endophytic Alcaligenes faecalis mediated suppression of oxidative stress in Abelmoschus esculentus challenged with Sclerotium rolfsii. Plant Physiol Biochem. 2016;109:430-41.,1818. Ahmed AM. Lipid Peroxidation and Oxidative Protein Products as Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in the Autogenous Mosquito, Aedes caspius, Upon Infection with the Mosquitocidal Bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki. undefined. Pak J Zool. 2012;44:525-36., an example of the action mechanism of endophytic fungi is the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which results in cellular oxidative damage in insects and larvae1717. Ray S, Singh V, Singh S, Sarma BK, Singh HB. Biochemical and histochemical analyses revealing endophytic Alcaligenes faecalis mediated suppression of oxidative stress in Abelmoschus esculentus challenged with Sclerotium rolfsii. Plant Physiol Biochem. 2016;109:430-41. because ROS are free radicals that can cause cellular toxicity when antioxidant enzymes are produced in less quantity than ROS1818. Ahmed AM. Lipid Peroxidation and Oxidative Protein Products as Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in the Autogenous Mosquito, Aedes caspius, Upon Infection with the Mosquitocidal Bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki. undefined. Pak J Zool. 2012;44:525-36..

Although many studies on the metabolites of fungal endophytes have been conducted, only one has been reported1919. Thongwat D, Pimolsri U, Somboon P. Screening for mosquito larvicidal activity of thai mushroom extracts with special reference to steccherinum sp against Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae). Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2015;46(4):586-95., in which endophytes of the genus Xylaria showed a larvicidal activity against A. aegypti2020. Lee SR, Kreuzenbeck NB, Jang M, Oh T, Ko S, Ahn JS, et al. Xyloneside A: A New Glycosylated Incisterol Derivative from Xylaria sp. FB. ChemBioChem. 2020;21(16):2253-8.. Xylaria endophytes belong to the family Xylariaceae (Sordariomycetes, Xylariales), which has at least 85 genera and probably more than 1,000 species2121. Cañón ERP, Albuquerque MP, Alves RP, Pereira AB, Victoria FDC. Morphological and molecular characterization of three endolichenic isolates of Xylaria (Xylariaceae), from cladonia curta ahti & marcelli (cladoniaceae). Plants. 2019;8(10)., and can produce metabolites with a wide spectrum of biological activities2020. Lee SR, Kreuzenbeck NB, Jang M, Oh T, Ko S, Ahn JS, et al. Xyloneside A: A New Glycosylated Incisterol Derivative from Xylaria sp. FB. ChemBioChem. 2020;21(16):2253-8.,2222. Ibrahim A, Tanney JB, Fei F, Seifert KA, Cutler GC, Capretta A, et al. Metabolomic-guided discovery of cyclic nonribosomal peptides from Xylaria ellisii sp. nov., a leaf and stem endophyte of Vaccinium angustifolium. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):1-17.. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the larvicidal activity of the raw extract of Xylaria sp. against third-instar larvae of A. aegypti, and to verify the possible entomotoxic effects of this extract.

METHODS

Plant material

The endophytic fungus Xylaria sp. was isolated from the plant species Passovia Stelis (L.) Kuijt (Lorantahaceae), which was collected from the campus of the Federal University of Amazonas (3°08′57″S, 58°26′38″W), in the city of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. A voucher specimen (No. 11422) was deposited in the herbarium of the university.

Isolation and identification of the fungus

The endophytic fungus was isolated according to the method described by Maier2323. Maier W, Hammer K, Dammann U, Schulz B, Strack D. Accumulation of sesquiterpenoid cyclohexenone derivatives induced by an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus in members of the Poaceae. Planta. 1997;202(1):36-42. and Souza2424. Queiroz FMM, Oliveira KW, Cunha MMF, Schwarz A. Evaluation of (anti)genotoxic activities of Phyllanthus niruri L. in rat bone marrow using the micronucleus test. Braz J Pharm Sci. 2013;49(1):135-48.. Fungal isolates were identified by grouping their macromorphological and micromorphological similarities. The endophytic fungi were preserved in distilled water2525. Simões SS, Costa MBS, Souza AQL, Sousa WC, Oliveira CM. Brazilian Applied Science Review. Braz Ap Sci Rev. 2020;4(3):1262-70..

Preparation of Xylaria sp. raw extract

Xylaria sp. was harvested and transferred to 35 Erlenmeyer flasks containing 300 mL of potato dextrose broth and maintained at a controlled temperature of 28 °C for 28 days. After fermentation, the medium was filtered to remove the visible mycelium and subjected to liquid/liquid partition with ethyl acetate evaporated in a rotary evaporator. The resulting raw extracts were subsequently subjected to larvicide testing.

Larvicidal test

Mosquito breeding

The eggs of A. aegypti were obtained from a colony kept in an insectarium at the Laboratory of Malaria and Dengue of the National Amazon Research Institute. The eggs were then immersed in water until hatching. For bioassays, the resulting larvae were fed crushed larval food until the third instar phase under the growth conditions described by Medeiros et al.2626. Medeiros E, Rodrigues IB, Litaiff-Abreu E, Da AC, Pinto S, Tadei WP. Larvicidal activity of clove (Eugenia caryophyllata) extracts and eugenol against Aedes aegypti and Anopheles darlingi. African J Biotechnol. 2013;12(8):836-40.: temperature, 26 ± 2 °C; humidity, approximately 80%, photoperiod, 12 h.

Selective larvicidal bioassay

Five disposable cups with a capacity of 50 mL containing 9.8 mL of water were used for the selective bioassay. Briefly, 10 third-instar larvae of A. aegypti were introduced into each cup. Next, 100 µL of Xylaria sp. extract diluted in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was pipetted separately into each cup at concentrations of 500, 250, 125, 62.5, and 31.25 ppm, followed by 100 µL of crushed larval food. Each bioassay was performed in triplicates. DMSO (1%) was used as a negative control. The final volume of each cup was 10 mL. Bioassay readings were taken at 24, 48, and 72 h after the exposure of the larvae to the extract.

Dose-response bioassay

Dose-response bioassays were performed according to the WHO protocol33. BRASIL M da S. Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde do Ministério da Saúde Vigilância em Saúde no Brasil 2003|2019 Boletim Epidemiológico. 2019. Available from: http://portalarquivos2.saude.gov.br/
http://portalarquivos2.saude.gov.br/...
. The five concentrations used in this assay were developed from the lowest concentration that caused at least 50% mortality of the larvae in the selective bioassays. The test was performed in quintuplicates. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA (p ≤ 0.05) using the GraphPad Prism software (version 6.0; San Diego, CA, USA) and expressed as mean (%) ± standard deviation. Lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90) and confidence intervals (CI = 95%) were calculated using Probit analysis in the Poloplus software version 1.0 (LeOra Software, Berkeley, CA)2727. Robertson JL, Preisler HK, Russell RM. Polo Plus Probit and Logit Analysis, User’s Guide. 2003..

In vitro cytotoxicity

Cytotoxicity testing of Xylaria sp. extract was performed according to the methodology described by Ahmed et al.2828. Ansar Ahmed S, Gogal RM, Walsh JE. A new rapid and simple non-radioactive assay to monitor and determine the proliferation of lymphocytes: an alternative to [3H]thymidine incorporation assay. J Immunol Methods. 1994;170(2):211-24.. Resazurin (AlamarBlue®) and MRC-5 cells (ATCC-CCL-171-human lung fibroblasts) were used to evaluate the toxicity of the extract in humans if used as a larvicide. Doxorubicin (20 µg.mL-1) was used as a positive control, and DMSO (0.1%) was used as a negative control. Fluorescence was measured at 570 nm using an Elisa Microplate reader (DTX-800; Beckman Coulter). Data were analyzed by a two-way ANOVA test (p ≤ 0.05) using GraphPad Prisma version 6.0, and were used to calculate the IC50 of the extract.

Determination of ROS levels using DCFH-DA

ROS levels in MRC-5 cells following treatment with Xylaria sp. extract were determined using 2′,7′- dichlorohydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) according to the method described by Eruslanov and Kusmartsev2929. Eruslanov E, Kusmartsev S. Identification of ROS using oxidized DCFDA and flow-cytometry. Methods Mol Biol. 2010;594:57-72.. Paclitaxel (256 µg) mL-1) and hydrogen peroxide (17 µg. mL-1) were used as positive controls, and buffered saline solution (PBS) was used as a negative control. Cell fluorescence was determined at 570 nm using an Elisa Microplate reader (Dx800 multimode detector; Beckman Coulter). Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA (p≤ 0.05) using GraphPad Prisma version 6.0.

Lipid and protein oxidative damage assay

Homogenisation of larvae

Larvae of A. aegypti subjected to the larvicide test at lethal doses of 50% and 90% were cold-macerated in a pestle and mortar with 10 mL of phosphate buffer (pH 7.3, 75 mM for each 1 g of larvae). The homogenate was centrifuged at 15,000 rpm for 30 min at 4 °C. The supernatant was used to quantify oxidative damage to proteins and lipids3030. Sofic E, Sapcanin A, Tahirovic I, Gavrankapetanovic I, Jellinger K, Reynolds GP, et al. Antioxidant capacity in postmortem brain tissues of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. J Neural Transm Suppl. 2006;(71):39-43..

Lipid oxidative damage

Lipid oxidative damage was measured using malondialdehyde (MDA), in accordance with the technique described by Ohkawa and et al.3131. Ohkawa H, Ohishi N, Yagi K. Assay for lipid peroxides in animal tissues by thiobarbituric acid reaction. Anal Biochem. 1979;95(2):351-8.. The total MDA level in the samples was calculated as the ratio of sample absorbance to that of a standard MDA solution (1,1,3,3-tetrahydroxypropane) multiplied by the standard solution concentration (concentration curve). Larval homogenate and phosphate buffer (75 mM) were used as negative controls. The results are expressed in μmol/L. The data were subjected to statistical analysis by two-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s test (p ≤ 0.05) for the control using GraphPad Prism (version 6.0). All experiments were performed in triplicate.

Oxidative damage to proteins

The protein oxidative damage test was performed according to an adaptation of the methodology initially described by Levine et al. (1990)3232. Levine RL, Garland D, Oliver CN, Amici A, Climent I, Lenz AG, et al. Determination of Carbonyl Content in Oxidatively Modified Proteins. Methods Enzymol. 1990;186(C):464-78. and Lowry (1951)3333. Lowry OH, Rosebrough NJ, Farr AL, Randall RJ. Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent. J Biol Chem. 1951;193(1):265-75., in which oxidative damage to proteins was measured by quantifying carbonyl groups based on reaction with 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine (DNPH) prepared in HCl 2.5 M3232. Levine RL, Garland D, Oliver CN, Amici A, Climent I, Lenz AG, et al. Determination of Carbonyl Content in Oxidatively Modified Proteins. Methods Enzymol. 1990;186(C):464-78.. Protein content was determined using the Lowry method with BSA as a standard3333. Lowry OH, Rosebrough NJ, Farr AL, Randall RJ. Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent. J Biol Chem. 1951;193(1):265-75.. Larval homogenate and HCl 2.5 M were used as negative controls. All experiments were performed in triplicates. Statistical tests were performed using the two-way ANOVA test with Dunnett’s test (p ≤ 0.05) concerning the control using GraphPad Prisma version 6.0. All experiments were performed in triplicate.

RESULTS

Larvicidal test: selective and dose-reactive bioassays

According to the results of the selective bioassay, Xylaria sp. extract resulted in a satisfactory mortality rate of over 50% in A. aegypti larvae, but only concentrations between 250 and 500 ppm exhibited larvicidal activity. Thus, the concentrations used in the subsequent dose test were in the range of 250-500 ppm (400, 375, 350, and 325 ppm) (Table 1).

TABLE 1:
Results of dose-reactive bioassays of different concentrations of Xylaria sp. extract in A. aegypti larvae.

The mortality rates at 24, 48, and 72 h after exposure revealed that the highest mortality rate occurred at 24 h after treatment of Xylaria sp. extract a concentration of 400 ppm, with a mortality rate of 91% (Table 1). This finding revealed a satisfactory larvicidal activity of Xylaria sp. extract against the of A. aegypti larvae, as according to the WHO3434. Organização Mundial da Saúde - OMS. Orientações técnica para utilização do larvicida pyriproxyfen (0,5 G) no controle de Aedes aegypti. 2013. Available from: http://www.cvs.saude.sp.gov.br/
http://www.cvs.saude.sp.gov.br/...
, an extract is considered active if the mortality rate is greater than 80%.

According to the probit analysis, the LC50 value of Xylaria sp. extract was 264.456 ppm, and the LC90 value was 364.307 ppm, with a significance level of 95% (Table 2). The parametric test (χ2) showed no significant difference between the two doses (LC50 and LC90), as both concentrations caused mortality in the larvae. Thus, the concentrations corresponding to the LC50 and LC90 are expected to cause 50% and 90% mortality of the larvae, respectively.

TABLE 2:
LC50 and LC90 values of Xylaria sp. extract against A. aegypti larvae after 72 h of treatment. No mortality was observed in the negative control (DMSO) group.

In vitro test in cells: cytotoxicity and ROS production

The Xylaria sp. extract was cytotoxic at a concentration of less than 50 µg.mL-1 (Figure 1), capable of inhibiting the growth of more than 50% of cells, compared with the standard drug doxorubicin at a concentration of 20 µg.mL-1. Considering the mass death of MRC-5 cells, ROS level was also evaluated in these cells to verify whether the death of these cells was due to increased ROS production.

FIGURE 1:
Cell viability of MRC-5 fibroblasts treated with Xylaria sp. extract at different concentrations for 24, 48, and 72 h. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 3). P<0.05 is significant compared to the negative control (Ctl(-)), according to two-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s test.

Cytotoxicity assay was conducted using different concentrations (50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.12, and 1.56 µg.mL-1) of Xylaria sp. extract (Figure 1), and the results showed that the higher the dose, the higher the cytotoxicity of this extract. Using the concentration curve, the IC50 of the extract was calculated to be 6.835, 5.940, and 11.38 µg.mL-1 after 24, 48, and 72 h of exposure, respectively.

ROS assay was also performed using different concentrations (50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.12, and 1.56 µg.mL-1 ) of Xylaria sp. extract (Figure 2). The results revealed that Xylaria sp. extract at all tested concentrations induced ROS production compared to the negative control. However, the highest ROS level was observed in cells treated with Xylaria sp. extract at 50 and 25 µg.mL-1; moreover, ROS production decreased as the extract concentration decreased.

FIGURE 2:
ROS concentration curve in MRC-5 human lung fibroblasts treated with Xylaria sp. extract. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 3). P<0.0001 is significant compared to the negative control (Ctl (-)), according to two-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s test. The standard used was 3 µm paclitaxel (256 µg.mL-1).

Evaluation of oxidative damage in A. aegypti larvae

Statistical analysis revealed damage to the lipids of the larvae treated with Xylaria sp. extract, as the MDA levels were significantly (p <0.0001) different between the larvae treated with Xylaria sp. at the LC90 and the control (macerated larvae not exposed to the extract), with MDA levels almost twice as high (24.7 µmol/L) as that in the negative control (12.5 µmol/L). Larvae subjected to Xylaria sp. extract at the LC50 showed no significant difference from the control, with a confidence limit of 95% (Figure 3A). These results were corroborated by the results obtained in the ROS production test of the in vitro extract, which showed an increase in total ROS (Figure 2).

FIGURE 3
A) Bar graph illustrating lipid peroxidation in A. aegypti larvae treated with Xylaria sp. extract at the lethal dose 50 (LD50), Xylaria sp. extract at the lethal dose 90 (LD90), and 1% DMSO (control). Data are expressed as MDA levels in mmol/L in the samples. B) Bar graph illustrating protein oxidation in A. aegypti larvae treated with Xylaria sp. extract at the LD50, Xylaria sp. extract at the LD90, and 1% DMSO (control). Data are expressed in nM carbonyl/mg protein.

Protein oxidative damage was also examined in A. aegypti larvae, and the results were also subjected to statistical analysis. Carbonyl levels were significantly (p <0.0001) different between the larvae exposed to the extract at LC90 (14.6278 ×10-3 nmol carbonyl/mg protein) and the control (2.4491 ×10-3 nmol carbonyl/mg protein). Carbonyl levels were also significantly (p <0.0018) different between the larvae treated with the extract at the LC50 (4.2893 ×10-3 nmol carbonyl/ mg protein) and the control. These values had a confidence limit of 95%, as shown in Figure 3B. Thus, these findings corroborate the protein oxidative damage assay results.

DISCUSSION

According to previous studies, endophytic fungi are considered potential producers of bioactive chemicals3535. Zhao J, Shan T, Mou Y, Zhou L. Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds Produced by Endophytic Fungi. Mini-Reviews Med Chem . 2011;11(2):159-68., especially those of the genus Xylaria, which includes several species of fungi found in plants. Moreover, they produce a wide variety of metabolites with different chemical structures, such as cytochalasins, terpenoids, alkaloids, coumarins, and benzoquinones, with a range of biological activities, such as phytotoxic, antifungal, antimalarial, and antibacterial activities3636. Sánchez-Ortiz BL, Sánchez-Fernández RE, Duarte G, Lappe-Oliveras P, Macías-Rubalcava ML. Antifungal, anti-oomycete and phytotoxic effects of volatile organic compounds from the endophytic fungus Xylaria sp. strain PB3f3 isolated from Haematoxylon brasiletto. J Appl Microbiol. 2016;120(5):1313-25..

The results of the present study support that Xylaria sp. extract can be an alternative source of larvicide for A. aegypti control, showing comparable efficacy to other extracts previously reported3737. Bücker A, Bücker NCF, Souza AQL, Gama AM, Rodrigues-Filho E, Costa FM et al. Larvicidal effects of endophytic and basidiomycete fungus extracts on Aedes and Anopheles larvae (Diptera, Culicidae). Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2013;46(4):411-419. (6.6% mortality at a concentration of 250 µg.mL-1). Moreover, as a product derived from a biological source, Xylaria sp. extract is more beneficial than the synthetic larvicide temephos in terms of sustainability, action mechanism, and toxicity.

The results of lipid peroxidation analyses (Figure 3A) could be related to ROS, which might have caused membrane damage in the larvae3838. Moro AM, Brucker N, Charão M, Bulcão R, Freitas F, Baierle M, et al. Evaluation of genotoxicity and oxidative damage in painters exposed to low levels of toluene. Mutat Res - Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen. 2012;746(1):42-8.. In addition, as shown in Figure 3A, the control larvae also showed oxidative damage, as indicated by the MDA levels, possibly because the larvae were macerated alive and underwent stress until death, and any death process can lead to oxidative damage.

Lipid peroxidation is a chain reaction of polyunsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes that generates free radicals, which can alter membrane permeability, fluidity, and integrity. Although the generation of free radicals is a continuous physiological process, excessive production can lead to oxidative lesions3939. Barbosa KBF, Costa NMB, Alfenas CGR, Paula SO, Minim VPR, Bressan J. Estresse oxidativo: Conceito, implicações e fatores modulatórios. Revista de Nutrição. 2010;23:629-43..

Regarding protein oxidation, the method used to quantify carbonyl groups in A. aegypti larvae indicates a direct reaction of the proteins with ROS4040. Stadtman ER, Levine RL. Free radical-mediated oxidation of free amino acids and amino acid residues in proteins. Amino Acids. Amino Acids. 2003;25:207-18.; when the proteins go through the oxidative process, derivatives or fragments of peptides containing carbonyl groups are formed4040. Stadtman ER, Levine RL. Free radical-mediated oxidation of free amino acids and amino acid residues in proteins. Amino Acids. Amino Acids. 2003;25:207-18.. Thus, the presence of these peptides indicates cellular damage4141. Cong S, Dong W, Zhao J, Hu R, Long Y, Chi X. Characterization of the Lipid Oxidation Process of Robusta Green Coffee Beans and Shelf Life Prediction during Accelerated Storage. Molecules 2020;25(5):1157..

These results are consistent with those reported by Ahmed1818. Ahmed AM. Lipid Peroxidation and Oxidative Protein Products as Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in the Autogenous Mosquito, Aedes caspius, Upon Infection with the Mosquitocidal Bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki. undefined. Pak J Zool. 2012;44:525-36. and Zhang et al.4242. Zhang J, Ahmad S, Wang LY, Han Q, Zhang JC, Luo YP. Cell death induced by α-terthienyl via reactive oxygen species-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in the midgut of Aedes aegypti larvae. Free Radic Biol Med. 2019;137:87-98.. Ahmed focused on lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation as important biomarkers of cell collapse after infection by microorganisms in larvae and adult mosquitoes of A. caspius (Culicidae) and found that oxidative stress and cytotoxicity led to lipid membrane damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death1818. Ahmed AM. Lipid Peroxidation and Oxidative Protein Products as Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in the Autogenous Mosquito, Aedes caspius, Upon Infection with the Mosquitocidal Bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki. undefined. Pak J Zool. 2012;44:525-36.. Zhang et al., however, found that α-terthienyl showed larvicidal activity at a concentration of 0.27 mg.L-1 and increased mitochondrial ROS levels in A. aegypti larvae. This increase in ROS levels led to mitochondrial dysfunction, organelle damage, and accelerated cell death in larvae treated with α-terthienyl.

Taken together, the results of the present and previous studies suggest that the death of larvae treated with Xylaria sp. extract is related to increased oxidative stress, as evidenced by the production of peroxides, MDA, and carbonylated proteins. It is noteworthy that oxidative damage caused by endophytic fungi in A. aegypti larvae has not been reported, as previous reports only contain data on plants, algae, and bacteria. However, further studies on the death mechanisms of larvae/insects exposed to fungal extracts may provide valuable insights into the safe control of these vectors.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank PhD. Welma Sousa Silva (ICET-UFAM) for her assistance in the identification of plant material; PhD. Antônia Queiroz Lima de Souza for the identification of endophytic fungi; and Sarah Simões da Silva for the isolation of fungal strains.

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  • Financial Support: This study was partially funded by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brazil (CAPES), Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas (Fapeam), and INCT Bionat.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    29 Apr 2022
  • Date of issue
    2022

History

  • Received
    12 July 2021
  • Accepted
    09 Mar 2022
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