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Document Type

Original Study

Subject Areas

Biochemistry, molecular and cell biology

Keywords

applied entomology; pest control; reactive oxygen species; mitochondrial membrane potential; Homeopathy; CD spectroscopy

Abstract

The leaf roller moth, Haritalodes (=Sylepta) derogata (Fabricius, 1775) (Lepidoptera) is a common pest of many economically important plant species including cotton (Gossypium spp.) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). This study was designed to investigate mainly the insecticidal/pesticidal efficacy of diluted ethanolic extract from seeds of native deciduous Indian tree, Strychnos nux-vomica Linn. (Nux Vom 2X - prepared by diluting raw extract or mother tincture 100 times in 91% ethanol by following homeopathic procedure) known to contain the main toxic ingredient, Strychnine and to elucidate the toxicity related cellular and physio-chemical effects inflicted by it on larva of H. derogata. Present study reveals that this diluted CAM drug Nux vomica can cause 100% mortality in experimental H. derogata caterpillars; however, significantly high rate of mortality was not noted in further higher diluted doses. The molecular mechanism involved was by regulating molecular cascades imposing DNA damage, increasing cellular ROS in haemocytes and modulating the mitochondrial membrane potential. Further, in silico PASS prediction for biological activity of the molecular targets influenced by the key phytocompounds present in Nux vomica and ADME-Tox analysis (Adsorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Elimination, and Toxicity) predict the modalities of biological activity that is responsible for the knockdown effect of Nux Vomica 2X on H. derogata caterpillars. Thus, for the first time this study combined both in silico prediction and relevant experimental approach to understand the possible action mechanism and pesticidal efficacy of diluted Nux vomica at the molecular level

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